Rodents carry and transmit a number of dangerous diseases through their droppings, urine, saliva, and the parasites they host. Rodent-borne diseases include hantavirus, salmonella, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
It’s already uncomfortable to find rodents in your home, or even just evidence that they’ve been there. The health risks make it worse, but they’re still worth understanding so that you can keep yourself and your family protected.
The most commonly discussed disease associated with rodents is hantavirus, which can be transmitted by inhaling dust contaminated with mouse droppings or urine. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is rare but severe, and it's one of the reasons it’s important to be cautious when cleaning up after a rodent infestation. Disturbing dried rodent droppings without proper precautions can aerosolize the virus. The CDC recommends wetting down contaminated areas with a disinfectant solution before cleaning and avoiding sweeping or vacuuming, which stirs particles into the air.
Salmonella is more common. Mice and rats contaminate food preparation surfaces, countertops, and stored food through their droppings and urine as they travel. This can happen even if you don’t see a mouse at any point, since they forage at night and leave traces of their activity on surfaces as they walk.
Leptospirosis is transmitted through rodent urine, often when contaminated water or soil contacts broken skin or mucous membranes. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is carried primarily by house mice and can be especially risky for pregnant women as it is known to cause birth defects.
Rodents also carry parasites that transmit disease indirectly. Fleas on rats were historically responsible for plague transmission, and ticks that feed on mice are a primary vector for Lyme disease. A mouse infestation inside your home can bring fleas, mites, and ticks into your living space along with the rodents themselves.
If you are a North Jersey homeowner and you’ve been dealing with rodent activity, Mosquito Squad of North Jersey's rodent control services can help. The service involves an inspection to determine the scope of the problem. Then a custom plan is created from there to get rid of rodents and help keep them away.
