The Danger Of Rodents
In the past century alone, 10 million people have died from disease carried by rodents
. Not to mention the hundreds of millions in centuries past.
Human houses make an attractive home to rodent, as warmth, food and shelter can all be found in abundance. The problem is that rodents such as mice and rats are prolific breeders, and what may start as a small infestation can multiply very quickly. Once inside a home, rodents can quickly spread disease and infection to different areas, to people and domestic animals. A rodent infestation should not be viewed lightly, particularly if you have young children. The two most common rodent infestations in our homes are mice and rats, both of whom are very well adapted to living in close proximity to humans.
Why?
By nature rodents are excellent transporters of diseases and will carry parasites such as mites and ticks, each of which can carry pathogens of various infections.
How?
Parasites
Parasites are traditionally the biggest concern, as diseases such as Lyme Disease can be transmitted by a rodent tick bite. This disease is most common with deer mice and will result in fever, fatigue and headache. The disease will cause a rash, in more extreme cases, skin lesions. If left untreated this disease can be fatal.
Typhus is another disease that is harboured by parasites carried by both mice and rats. Flea bites can cause nasty symptoms such as fever, flu like symptoms, severe headaches, and nausea. For rodents to pass infections on to humans, they do not need direct contact. Parasites such as fleas and ticks can be transferred onto out furniture and clothing, without us knowing.
Rickettsialpox, is a bacterial infection that is spread by mice and the mites that feed off them. Like chickenpox, it causes a rash localised at the site of the tick-bite site. This will then spread across the the entire body. Although Rickettsiapox is never fatal, symptoms can be quite nasty, and will also include chills, fever and headache.
One of the most serious diseases carried by rodents is The Plague. Famous for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages; isolated cases of the Plague still occur even in parts of the developed world.
Bodily Excretion
Rodents such as mice and rats will produce hundreds of faecal pellets and deposit urine frequently. Many different strains of disease and infection can be transported through these paths, especially when human food is contaminated. It is therefore important to keep food tightly sealed in plastic bags and containers if there is a rodent infestation.
Salmonella, more commonly known as food poisoning, can be transported by both mice and rat faeces. The World Health Organisation estimates that 20% of food is destroyed or contaminated by rodents every year. Hantavirus can be transmitted by rodent faeces, urine and bodily fluid. The symptoms include severe respiratory distress, renal failure and flu-like symptoms. Although fatalities from Hantavirus are rare, a 1994 outbreak of Hantavirus resulted in 50 deaths in the US.
Prevention
To eliminate the risk of disease from rodents the first thing that you should do is to ensure that your home is rodent free. If you have previously suffered from a rodent infestation, then you need to clean your home and furniture thoroughly. Prevention is the best form of defence so make sure that your home is secure enough not to allow rodent from entering. If you do indeed suffer a rodent infestation, then deploying pest control products will be your next line of attack. If all else fails then you can call upon pest control experts.
by: Lynne Dickson
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