Not only can a rodent infestation cause costly damage to your home’s insulation, Sheetrock, electrical wiring and overall structure, but it can produce terribly unhygienic living conditions as well. As you know, it’s difficult enough to stay healthy through the chilly autumn and frigid winter months, so why allow mice and rats to add their contaminants to the mix? Taking proper precautions is incredibly important in order to avoid these serious health risks commonly associated with a rodent infestation:
Hantavirus – This disease is most commonly transmitted by inhaling fumes from the saliva, urine or droppings of a white-footed deer mouse, and can potentially be life-threatening. Early symptoms of this dangerous disease include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, which can be present in conjunction with headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal pain.
Bubonic Plague – Referred to commonly as the “Black Death” thanks to its potency during the Middle Ages, this disease is extremely contagious and can even be deadly. The bubonic plague is traditionally transmitted through a bite from an infected rodent flea, which can be overlooked as a common mosquito or spider bite. Signs of contamination can include fever, headache and painfully swollen lymph nodes.
Salmonellosis – While food poisoning can be spread by a wide variety of uncleanly conditions, salmonellosis is specifically transmitted when food becomes contaminated by rodent feces. According to PestWorld, about 40,000 cases are reported each year, with symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea and abdominal pain.
Rat-Bite Fever (RBF) – Characteristic of vomiting, headache, rash and muscle pain, this infectious disease can be contracted by rodent bites or by consuming food that has been contaminated by infected rodents. Symptoms usually begin to show between 3-10 days after exposure.
It is estimated that around 21 million homes in the United States are affected by a rodent infestation each winter. If you’re in need of pest control services in Massachusetts, New Hampshire or the surrounding area due to a mice or rat infestation, Pest Control Unlimited can help. Whether you’re dealing with a current infestation, or are interested in preventing a future one, our knowledgeable pest control professionals are ready and willing to tackle the job.
To learn more about how we can help you deal with or prevent a rodent infestation, call 888-649-9919 today.
