It’s a well known fact: Rodents carry disease.
That’s an especially terrible truth if you’ve just discovered droppings in your kitchen or seen a furry blur in the living room. That’s why it’s so crucial to act right away if you do notice signs of rodents in your home. Let’s take a brief look at some of the diseases that rodents can transfer to humans, how rodents transfer disease, signs that you have rodents in your home, and what you can do to keep rodents away from your abode — and as always, you can count on Hi-Tech for rodent extermination solutions here in San Diego and throughout Southern California.
Diseases That Rodents Carry
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rodents can transfer a variety of diseases, including diseases which can be transferred directly (due to direct contact with the animal, and indirectly (diseases which can be transmitted by proximity).
The CDC notes that all of the following diseases can be transmitted directly from rodents: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, Lassa Fever, Leptospirosis, Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM), Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever, Plague, Rat-Bite Fever, Salmonellosis, South American Arenaviruses (including Argentine hemorrhagic fever, Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, Sabiá-associated hemorrhagic fever, Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever), and Tularemia.
In addition, the CDC points out that rodents can transfer diseases indirectly. Humans may contract any of the following diseases if they simply have rodents in close proximity: Babesiosis, Colorado Tick Fever, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, La Crosse, Encephalitis, Lyme Disease, Murine Typhus, Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever, Powassan Virus, Scrub Typhus, Rickettsialpox, Relapsing Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Sylvatic Typhus, and West Nile Virus. It’s a staggering truth, rodents can carry and transfer a vast variety of diseases.
How Rodents Transfer Disease
So, how exactly do rodents transfer disease? Well, with the former category of diseases, the direct transmission diseases, a human must physically come into contact with a rodent, be it through a bite, or simply through touch.
With indirect transmission diseases, even the presence of a rodent in your home can cause the transmission of a disease. Rodents can transfer disease through the particles in the air, and through feces and urine.
Many of these diseases, both direct and indirect, are dangerous; it’s important to visit a doctor if you believe you may be infected with a disease.
Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Rodents tend to hide, and they’re most active at night. As such, it can be weeks or months before you notice a rodent infestation. It’s best to be vigilant and keep an eye out for signs of rodents so that you can ensure that your home is safe. Take action if you notice any of the following:
- Urine (or urine odors)
- Droppings (or dropping odors)
- Rodent nests (which are usually made out of fibers and insulating materials)
- Holes, gnaw marks, and scratches
- Scratching and skittering noises in walls and ceilings
- Strange behavior from your pets
What to Do When You Notice Rodents
If you notice any of the aforementioned signs, act right away! Rodents multiply quickly, and they can be a hazard to your home and family. Call an inspector to assess the infestation, and schedule rodent control services right away. If you live here in Los Angeles, San Diego, or Orange County, you can count on the rodent control professionals here at Hi-Tech. Get started with a free estimate for our exterminator services.