Dial Environmental Blog

We all know from history that rodents carry diseases that can be harmful or even deadly to the human population. Remember learning about the bubonic plague in junior high? Although the chances of a mouse or rat carrying the Bubonic plague in New Jersey are slim to none, these small furry creatures will leave your searching for pest control near me once the first droppings are found. However, some severe health risks come with having a mouse in the house. 

Cold outside temperatures in the winter months drive these warm-blooded animals to take up residence in warmer locations, like your house or shed. They may bring bacteria and disease into your home and put your family at risk. Rat and Mouse prevention is the most important first step for anyone trying to keep their home rodent free. Let’s take a look at some of the disease-carrying mice and rats found in New Jersey to assess your health risks.

Common Mice and Rat Diseases Found in New Jersey

The White-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and the Marsh Rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) can carry the virus Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). The ordinary House mouse (Mus musculus) is a common carrier of Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis. You may become infected with these viruses by breathing in dust that has urine or droppings contaminations or coming into direct contact with the infected mouse or its waste. It’s recommended that homeowners use caution and wear gloves when removing any mouse traps, rat traps or any type of trap to protect themselves against mice diseases.

Touching a dead rat or being bitten by an infected one can cause Rat-Bite Fever. New Jersey is home to three types of rats, the Eastern WoodRat (Neotoma floridana), the Black Rat (Rattus rattus) and the Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus).

Any mouse or rat may carry the bacteria Leptospirosis, Salmonella, or Tularemia. These bacteria spread to humans when you eat food or drink water that has trace amounts of urine from infected rodents or handling carcasses.

In addition to these diseases, mice and rats can carry bacteria and infections from fleas and ticks,which can lead to infected animals in surrounding wildlife or even your pets. The white-footed mouse is a carrier of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease. These small rodents contract the illness from a tick bite and then transfers them to humans who come in contact with it.

The Center for Disease Control mentions that fleas on rats with Murine Typhus, can be caught by humans if the fleas bite them. In this case, you don’t even have to come in contact with the rat host at all. Additionally, mites on rats can carry Scrub Typhus.

How to Prevent Rodents from Invading Your Home

Mice can fit through an opening the size of a nickel. Rats can squeeze through a hole about the size of a half-dollar. Preventative measures include sealing up holes or gaps inside your home. Best rodent control practices include quick cleanup of uneaten pet food, throwing out left out food sources, especially peanut butter. Most importantly by becoming acquainted with your local pest control company you can get rid of mice before the infestation start!

Pay special attention to:

  • Kitchen cabinets
  • Under refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines
  • Corners and baseboards
  • Around the fireplace
  • Gaps around pipes
  • Floor vents
  • Floor drains
  • Attics and basements or crawl spaces
  • Wall and floor joints
  • Trailer skirtings

Dial EnvironmentalⓇ can help uncover rodent problems before they become infestations by installing and monitoring rodent stations inside and outside your home. Our preventative approach includes the use of botanical products, monitors, baits, and mechanical devices to keep your family safe from diseases carried by mice and rats.

For your safety, let a trained professional with several treatment methods handle rodent clean up. Set-up is free of charge, and we offer affordable monthly payment plans. Our HomeCare package comes with our Pest Free Pledge. If mice or rats appear between our regular maintenance visits, we will come out and take care of the problem for free. So next time your in need of a rat or mice exterminator don’t forget about Dial Environmental when searching for the best pest control near me!