Mice

Additional Information

Mice: A Serious Pest Problem

Mice cause significant problems by damaging crops, chewing electrical wires, and spreading diseases through their droppings and parasites. Their ability to squeeze through small gaps makes them a common issue in homes and businesses.

Signs of a Mouse Infestation

Detecting a mouse problem early helps prevent further damage. Look out for these key signs:

• Droppings – Small, dark, and often found near food sources, along skirting boards, or inside cupboards.
• Gnaw marks – Mice chew on food packaging, furniture, wires, and structural materials.
• Tracks and smear marks – Grease and dirt from their fur leave smudges along walls and surfaces.
• Scratching noises – Sounds in walls, ceilings, or under floors, especially at night.
• Live or dead mice – Sightings often indicate an established infestation.

Preventing Mice in Your Property

Stopping mice from entering is the most effective way to avoid infestations. Follow these steps:

• Seal entry points – Block gaps around doors, pipes, vents, and foundations.
• Store food properly – Keep food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs.
• Remove clutter – Reduce hiding places by keeping storage areas tidy.
• Maintain cleanliness – Regularly clean floors and surfaces to eliminate food sources.

Effective Mouse Control

Traps, bait stations, and professional pest control services provide effective solutions. Addressing an infestation quickly prevents property damage and health risks.

Remedy:

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DO MICE CARRY DISEASES?

Mice are known to carry and transmit a variety of diseases, making them a significant health risk in homes and businesses. Their ability to reproduce rapidly, inhabit unsanitary areas, and contaminate food and surfaces with their urine and droppings highlights the importance of proper pest control. Below are some of the most common diseases associated with mice.

Common Diseases Carried by Mice

• Salmonellosis – Caused by the Salmonella bacteria, this disease is spread when mice contaminate food and surfaces with their faeces. Symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps, and vomiting.
• Leptospirosis – This bacterial infection is contracted through direct or indirect contact with mouse urine. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin irritation.
• Weil’s Disease – A severe form of leptospirosis, Weil’s disease can cause jaundice, chest pain, swollen extremities, and even organ failure in extreme cases.
• Plague – While often associated with historical outbreaks, the plague still exists today and can be spread by fleas that infest mice. Depending on the form, symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and skin infections.
• Hantavirus – Mice can transmit hantaviruses through their saliva, urine, and faeces. Inhalation of airborne particles containing the virus can cause flu-like symptoms, fever, and stomach pain.
• Rat-Bite Fever – Despite its name, this disease can also be spread by mice through bites, scratches, or handling contaminated materials. Symptoms vary but can include fever, rashes, joint pain, vomiting, and swelling.

How Do Mice Spread Disease?

Mice can transmit these diseases in several ways:

• Ingestion – Consuming food or drinks contaminated by mouse droppings, urine, or saliva.
• Inhalation – Breathing in airborne particles from mouse faeces, urine, or nesting materials.
• Scratches & Bites – Direct transmission through wounds caused by mice when they feel threatened.
• Direct Contact – Handling live or dead mice, or touching contaminated surfaces.

Is It Safe to Sleep in a Room with Mouse Droppings?

No. Given the variety of diseases mice carry, the presence of mouse droppings indicates a potential health hazard. Contaminated surfaces and even the air in the room could pose a risk. If you discover mouse droppings in your room, it is best to vacate the space until the infestation has been completely eradicated and the area thoroughly sanitised.