24/7 Emergency Service
Rodent Health Risks
11/26/2021 (Permalink)
Give SERVPRO of Southwest Wichita a call (316) 260-9011.
It's hard to stay healthy during the winter, we are constantly fighting the common cold, the flu, and now covid. One thing most people don't think about this time of year is the threat posed by rodents to both our health and property. During colder months, mice and rats are on the hunt for food, and warmth. This means they are often entering homes and businesses and can go unnoticed for quite some time. Rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes in the U.S. every winter, and an infestation can cause more than just some property damage, mice and rat feces can cause hazardous bacteria to spread. When the fecal matter of a mouse or rat dries it can become extremely dangerous to those who breathe it in. Some of the most common and sometimes deadly diseases or viruses are listed below:
Hantavirus is a potentially life-threatening disease transmitted to humans by rodents-primarily, the white-footed deer mouse. People become infected through exposure or inhalation of infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva, and the chances increase when people are near spaces where rodents are actively living.
Also known as the "Black Death", the Plague is a highly contagious and often deadly disease notorious for killing one-third of the European population during the Middle Ages. Plague is usually spread by the bite of an infected rodent flea and can cause fever, headache, and painfully swollen lymph nodes.
Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning spread by rodent feces, especially through the consumption of contaminated food.
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.
Not only can rodents in your home cause health effects they can also destroy your home. They can tear through insulation and chew through drywall, cardboard, wood, and electrical wiring. SERVPRO of Southwest Wichita can not only remove your infested insulation but we can remove the feces and sanitize so you don’t have to worry about any bacterial diseases effecting your home. We use HEPA grade vacuums, EPA registered disinfectant and will also deodorize the area.
Give SERVPRO of Southwest Wichita a call if your home or business has experienced a possible infestation (316) 260-9011.