House mice are small, nocturnal rodents that are commonly found in homes, buildings, and other structures. While they are often considered cute and harmless, house mice can carry and transmit a number of diseases that can affect both humans and pets.
Understanding the diseases associated with house mice is important for preventing risks of a disease being spread in your property and beyond.
What Diseases Can Mice Spread?
In some cases, house mice can spread Salmonella. This bacterium is found in the faeces of infected mice and can spread to humans through contaminated food or water. Salmonella can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea. Salmonella is particularly dangerous for young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
House mice can also carry and spread Hantavirus. This virus is found in mouse urine, faeces, and saliva. It can be transmitted to humans through inhalation or through cuts in the skin. Hantavirus can cause a severe respiratory illness, known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Another disease associated with house mice is Lyme disease. This bacterial infection is spread by ticks, which can be carried by infected mice. Lyme disease can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic bull’s-eye rash, and can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
House mice can also carry and spread a number of other diseases, including Listeria, Leptospirosis, and E. coli. These diseases can be transmitted to humans through contaminated food or water, and can cause serious health problems, including food poisoning, kidney damage, and even death.
If you have any of the above symptoms after being in contact with mice, please seek medical advice immediately.
How Can Diseases From House Mice Be Prevented?
So, what can be done to prevent the spread of diseases associated with house mice? The most important step is to prevent house mice from entering your home or building in the first place. This can be done by sealing cracks and holes in the foundation, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and removing sources of food and water.
If you aren’t able to seal small cracks and entry point holes for particular colonies in foundations, or in gaps around windows or doors yourself, this is something Pest ID can offer as part of our proofing process. For larger crack and holes, we can advise on companies to speak with.
It is also important to clean up mouse droppings and urine promptly and thoroughly, using a disinfectant and wearing protective gloves. This will help to reduce the risk of exposure to the diseases carried by house mice.
In addition to preventing house mice from entering your home or building, it is also important to keep your home or building clean and tidy. This includes removing food sources and keeping food in tightly sealed containers, as well as vacuuming and dusting regularly to remove mouse droppings and urine.
when storing food, try to keep tins and glass jars at low level, and packets up high. This way, mice will be deterred from gnawing food packets – causing less damage and saving you money!
If you are worried that your property is in the midst of a mice infestation, or if you have any questions, please get in touch with our expert team today – we’re here to help
