As if staying healthy during the winter months isn’t hard enough, especially with the common cold and flu doing the rounds, you don’t need something bothersome to add to the list. Unfortunately, one thing many people don’t think about at this time of the year are mice infestation health risks. These mice infestation health risks can be more prominent in winter as mice head indoors to escape the cold. An infestation can cause a lot more than a headache.
During the winter months, the mice infestation health risks increase as mice search for food, warmth and shelter indoors. They enter our homes through small cracks and crevices. However, the real concern is that these pests can spread diseases.
Mice Infestation Health Risks – Diseases
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning that is spread through mice faeces. The way you get this is by eating contaminated food. The symptoms of this disease are diarrhea, fever and stomach pain.
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is one of the mice infestation health risks. It’s a potentially life-threatening disease that is transmitted to humans primarily by mice. You can become infected through exposure or inhalation of infected mouse urine, droppings and saliva. The chances of coming across this mice infestation health risk is increased when people are near spaces where the mice are nesting.
Rat-Bite Fever
Rat bite fever is a fatal disease that happens when a mouse contaminates food and then someone eats that food. The symptoms come around 3-10 days after exposure and the results are often fatal in most cases.
How To Keep Mice Out Of Your Home
Keep mice out of your home for good, not only to keep your home safe but to keep your health safe as well. Remember to keep an eye out for the signs of mice and follow these prevention tips.
Now that you know about the potential health risks mice can pose, you need to prevent them out of your home as much as possible. As well as the health risks associated, there are also property risks of having a mice infestation as well. With their constant chewing, your walls, wiring and personal items can all be in danger. They can also cause a serious fire hazard.
Keep leftover food in sealed containers
Anything that has been opened or prepared and then left should be put straight into a sealed container and store accordingly. Things like rice and flour are a target for mice as one of their favourite foods. Plastic tubs with sealed lids are cheap to buy and could save you from being exposed to nasty mouse diseases.
Clean up after you’ve eaten
Leaving crumbs on the countertops and floor is a great way to get yourself a mouse infestation. When you go to bed, mice will come out and feast on all the delicious morsels you’ve left behind from dinner. This goes for plates left in the sink as well. Clean up any spills and food crumbs immediately after you’ve eaten. Make sure to clean plates and cooking utensils as well to prevent mice from infesting your kitchen and your home.
Keep your bins sealed
Mice can sniff out a great food source from quite far away. So it’s important that any bins around your home have a properly sealed lid. Indoor bins should be emptied regularly.
When you empty them, take the rubbish straight outside in a tied bag, and put it into your outside bins. These bins should be emptied regularly and kept as far away from the home as possible to stop mice infestations.
Keep your garden clean and clutter free
Mice will love to build nest out of debris found in your garden. As well as making great nesting materials, a cluttered garden creates hiding spaces for mice too.
If you keep this clutter next to your home, you are practically inviting mice in to where you live, eat and sleep. Reduce the amount of clutter in your garden to stop mice infestations from happening.
Seal gaps and holes around the home
Cracks around the foundation of your home make the perfect entryways for mice. Whether it’s a crack around some piping or a hole in your window sealant, mice will use it to get into your house. Seal these as soon as you notice them to stop any health risks from penetrating your home.
Sometimes mice will get into your home no matter how vigilant you are. When all else fails, it’s time to call in the professionals to help. The technicians here at Empire know how to get mice out of your home and will be able to identify how they’re getting into your home as well. For expert mouse control, call Empire today.
