After several years of diligently saving money, I’m nearly ready to purchase my first home. Because I’ve been thinking about buying a home for so long, I know exactly what I want my house to look like. I desire a place that has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. I also need a quiet space to set up my home office in. I want a massive, walk-in closet in my master bedroom. My master bathroom needs to have double vanities, a tiled, walk-in shower, and a Jacuzzi tub. On this blog, I hope you will discover how to set priorities during your new home search. Enjoy!
A New Home Search
Five Dreadful Diseases You Can Get From A Cute Little Mouse!
Elli Jokela
Many people find it difficult to call a pest care professional to get ride of mice because the cute little creatures tug at their heartstrings. But in real life, mice aren't the adorable critters found in cartoons and story books -- they carry all manner of contagious diseases that can harm or even kill household residents as well as domestic pets. Following are just five of the diseases that you can catch from a mouse.
Hantavirus
Found throughout the Western Hemisphere, hantavirus is found in the urine and fecal droppings of certain types of mice. Although it's transmitted to humans primary from deer mice, white-footed mice as well as several rat species also harbor the virus. Deer mice generally don't live indoors, preferring to take shelter in sheds, barns, and other outdoor structures found in rural areas. The virus may be transmitted by:
- Airborne droplets. This occurs when dried nesting material, feces, or urine somehow gets stirred up.
- Rare cases of rodent bites.
- Eating food contaminated by bodily fluids or feces of infected rodents.
- Touching infected material with and then touching the noise or mouth areas.
Areas infested with rodent droppings, nests, and other trappings specific to mice habitation need to be cleaned using extreme caution. Wear a respirator, gloves, and protective covering from head to toe. Or better yet -- hire a professional to do the dirty work in a safe, clean, efficient manner. Hantavirus is a serious disease that can result in death.
Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM)
Like hantavisurs, lymphocyctic chorio-meningitis is a virus that can be transmitted by airborne particles, but unlike hantavirus, it's found in the common house mouse. According to the Center for Disease Ctonrol and Prevention, as much as five percent of all common house mice carry the LCM virus. As with hantavirus, use extreme care when cleaning areas where rodents may have urinated, defecated or have the job done by a trained professional. Another similarity with hantavirus is that LCM can be fatal.
Salmonella
Virtually all species of mice and rats carry the salmonella bacteria. Although the illness usually doesn't cause fatalities, it can result in serious issues among the very young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. It's transmitted via urine and feces that come into contact with food or beverages. Always keep food preparation and storage areas scrupulously clean, and discourage mice even further by placing food in airtight bags and canisters to protect them from contamination as well as keeping beverages tightly sealed until ready for consumption. Unlike hantavirus and LCM, salmonella isn't transmitted via airborne droplets.
Leptpospirosi
Leptpospriosi is a virus spread via the urine of infected rodents and other animals. Wading or swimming in water in which animals have urinated is a common way of getting this virus, and some agricultural workers who work with crops such as rice or those employed on dairy farms may be affected as well. It is also possible to contract this virus via contact with soil or other material where infected mice have urinated, particularly if the virus comes into contact with mucous membranes such as the inside of the nose or an open cut or wound. Flooding may result in leptpospirosi reaching epidemic proportions. Leptpospirosi may be fatal.
Bubonic Plague
Although rats are historically associated with bubonic plague, mice are also carriers of this bacterial scourge. Although it has been centuries since humanity has experienced an epidemic of the bubonic plague, it is nonetheless still present in many mice -- including one in Oregon who bit the hand of a man who tried to save the little creature from an attack from a hungry feline. Like many other bacterial and viral infections spread by rodents, the plague has the potential to be deadly.
The best protection against any type of health issue transmitted by rodents is to keep your living space as free as possible from them. Contact your local pest control specialist soon to find out more about how you can safeguard your loved ones against diseases caused by rodents.
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