Why Homeowners in Arlington Should Not Handle a Mouse Problem by Themselves

Despite the small size of mice, they pose serious health risks to people in Arlington. Aside from being a nuisance, they carry dangerous diseases that they spread through direct contact with the air, or contaminated surfaces. Because of their risks, only Green Pest Services pest control professionals should handle them. As a homeowner, you can prevent a mouse infestation by taking preventative measures against these pests.

How Mice Can Affect People’s Health in Arlington?

Mice thrive in urban and suburban environments where they leverage available food, water, and shelter. When they enter your house, they multiply quickly and contaminate food and surfaces with their urine, saliva, and feces. A lot of people do not know that mice can transmit severe illnesses even without direct contact.

Mice are carriers of bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can result in infections. Even their presence can trigger respiratory problems and allergies, particularly in people who have pre-existing conditions. Understanding the diseases that mice carry allows Arlington residents to take better precautions to safeguard their health and homes against these rodents.

Common Diseases that Mice Can Spread in Arlington

Mice can carry and spread the following diseases, compromising the health of people in the city:

Hantavirus. Deer mice mainly carry this virus; however, other rodents can also be infected. You can contract this virus when you inhale contaminated dust from mouse urine, saliva, or droppings, direct contact with mouse nesting materials or waste, and bite from an infected mouse. Hantavirus presents flu-like symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, and muscle aches. As it progresses, it can result in serious respiratory distress and can be deadly.
Salmonellosis. Mice contaminate food and surfaces in the kitchen with Salmonella bacteria, resulting in salmonellosis, which is a form of food poisoning. You can contract this disease through contaminated food or cooking utensils, consumption of contaminated food or water, and contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps. In serious cases, the infection spreads beyond your digestive system, requiring immediate medical attention.
Leptospirosis. Arlington mice can carry this Leptospira bacteria, which is the cause of leptospirosis. This disease spreads through contact with mouse urine. Its symptoms include flu-like symptoms or serious complications such as liver failure, meningitis, and kidney damage.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus or LCMV. Mice can carry this viral infection through exposure to mouse urine, nesting materials, saliva, or droppings. Symptoms include fever, nausea, muscle aches, and headache. But serious cases can result in neurological complications like encephalitis and meningitis.
Rat-bite fever. Mice can carry Streptobacillus moniliformis bacteria and cause rat-bite fever. The disease can be spread through scratches or bites from infected mice, consumption of water or food contaminated with mouse waste or saliva, and handling infected rodents. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, joint pain, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

Reasons Why You Must Not Handle Mice

Trying to catch or get rid of a mouse by hand increases the risk of exposure to dangerous pathogens. Mice may bite or scratch you when threatened and transmit bacteria into your bloodstream. Even if a mouse looks clean, it may be carrying infections or parasites. Even sweeping up mouse urine or droppings can release infected particles into the air, putting you at risk of inhaling diseases like LCMV and hantavirus.

The best thing that you can do if you suspect you have a mouse problem in your home is to call a pest control company and have technicians handle the problem for you. This technician is well-trained and knowledgeable about proper mouse eradication and control. Aside from addressing an existing infestation, they can help you take steps to prevent future infestations.