Rodent Infestations: A Silent Health Threat Lurking in Your Home
As we navigate through 2024, rodent infestations continue to pose significant health risks to homeowners and businesses across the United States. Rats and mice are known to spread more than 35 diseases, making professional pest control services more crucial than ever for protecting public health.
The Deadly Diseases Transmitted by Rodents
Rodents directly transmit a number of pathogens that can cause human disease in the United States, including hantavirus, leptospirosis, rat bite fever, and salmonellosis. These diseases can spread through multiple pathways, making rodent infestations particularly dangerous.
Hantavirus: The Most Lethal Threat
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is one of the most dangerous diseases spread by mice, with a fatality rate of 38%. Symptoms of HPS usually start to show 1 to 8 weeks after contact with an infected rodent, beginning with muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups like the thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders. Four to 10 days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms of HPS appear, including coughing and shortness of breath, with patients experiencing tightness in the chest as the lungs fill with fluid.
Hantavirus is spread from wild rodents, particularly mice and rats, to people. The virus, which is found in rodent urine, saliva, and feces, can be easily released in the air in confined spaces when disturbed by rodents or human activities, such as sweeping or vacuuming.
Other Serious Rodent-Borne Diseases
Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning spread by rodent feces, especially through the consumption of contaminated food. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain. Each year, approximately 40,000 cases of Salmonella are reported in the U.S.
Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a potentially fatal infectious disease spread by infected rodents or the consumption of food contaminated by rodents. The CDC says that symptoms usually occur 3-10 days after exposure to an infected source and include fever, vomiting, headaches, rash and muscle pain.
Bubonic plague, perhaps one of the most notorious rodent-borne illnesses, is spread from bites from infected fleas. While less common today, plague cases still occur in rural areas of the western United States.
How Diseases Spread from Rodents to Humans
Rodent droppings, urine, and saliva can spread by breathing in air or eating food that is contaminated with rodent waste. These diseases can be spread to humans directly through handling of live or dead rodents, contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, as well as rodent bites.
Rodents can also carry ticks, mites, or fleas that can spread diseases. Diseases carried by rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly through fleas, ticks, or mites that have fed on an infected rodent.
Property Damage Beyond Health Risks
In addition to health risks, rodents can pose a significant property risk as they have a tendency to destroy insulation in attics and can chew through wallboards, cardboard, wood and even electrical wiring. In fact, rodents cause up to 25 percent of house fires in the U.S. every year.
Warning Signs of Rodent Infestations
Two signs of rodent presence are rodent droppings and gnaw marks. Rodent droppings can be found anywhere rodents have accessed. Some subtle clues can reveal an underlying rodent issue, including droppings (feces): capsule-like pellets around the area should raise a red flag. Nesting: rodents build nests made from shredded material like paper, cloth, and cardboard for both personal shelter and food storage.
Professional Rodent Control: Your Best Defense
Given the serious health risks associated with rodent infestations, professional rodent control services have become essential for protecting homes and businesses. ProControl Management Services prides itself in providing fast, affordable and reliable pest control services. Since 2006, they have been providing Treasure Coast residents and local businesses with dependable pest control solutions. Their goal is to keep your home and business pest free.
ProControl specializes in rodent and termite control across the Treasure Coast. They are often called after failed attempts by other pest control companies to get rodents and termites exterminated. The company provides expert pest control in St. Lucie County, FL, offering fast, eco-friendly solutions for rodents, termites & wildlife.
Prevention Strategies
Rodent control is the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a disease caused by infection with certain hantaviruses. Wild rodents near human populations should be controlled and excluded from homes.
Prevent or reduce infestations by eliminating conditions that provide access to food, water, and shelter. The best way to prevent a rodent infestation is to remove their sources of food, water, and shelter. Store pet and people food, bird and lawn/garden seed, and animal feed indoors in containers with tight fitting lids. Clean up food waste and use thick plastic or metal garbage cans with tight lids.
Safe Cleanup Procedures
Heavy infestations should be handled by a specialist and require the use of a respirator and enrollment in a respiratory protection program. Because it can be difficult to differentiate between light and heavy rodent infestations, consult the Office of Public Health and your safety officer for additional direction.
Prior to cleanup, open all doors and windows for at least 30 minutes, allowing direct sunlight in the area. Spray any droppings of nests with disinfectant and allow to soak for 15 minutes. Wear disposable gloves and a mask to clear up droppings using a paper towel or rag. Seal materials in a plastic bag before throwing them into the trash.
The Importance of Professional Intervention
Infestation of rodents in and around the home is the main reason disease spreads from rodents to people. The National Pest Management Association estimates that rodents invade about 21 million homes in the United States every winter, squeezing through spaces as small as a nickel.
ProControl Management Services is a pest control company based in Port St. Lucie, Florida, specializing in fast, eco-friendly solutions for both residential and commercial clients. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including rodent control, termite management, wildlife removal, and treatment for other common pests. With over 15 years of experience, they cater to various industries such as restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and retail, providing customized pest control solutions to ensure client satisfaction.
As we continue through 2024, the threat of rodent-borne diseases remains a serious concern for property owners. There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. Patients should receive supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment of symptoms. This makes prevention through professional pest control services the most effective approach to protecting your family and property from these dangerous health risks.
Don’t wait until you see signs of an infestation. Contact a professional pest control service today to assess your property and implement preventive measures that could save lives and protect your investment.