Rats and mice are a common problem in many parts of the world, especially in urban and suburban areas like Long Island where these rodents can find food sources and shelter from humans. Both rats and mice can carry a number of diseases that are dangerous to humans and other animals, which is why the CDC considers rodents to be a major threat to public health.
Even though it may seem like these diseases will never plague you or your loved ones, keep in mind that there are cases when they occur here on Long Island.
Diseases Spread by Rats and Mice
Rodents are capable of transmitting numerous diseases to humans and animals directly through their droppings, urine, and saliva. They can also transmit diseases through bites. There is also a number of rodent diseases that are spread indirectly, meaning these rodent diseases are spread via ticks, mites, or fleas that have come in contact with an infected rodent.
Here’s the list of rodent diseases, as reported by the CDC.
Diseases Spread by Rodents Directly
- 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 (Argentine hemorrhagic fever, Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, Sabiá-associated hemorrhagic fever, Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever)
- Tularemia collapsed
Diseases Spread by Rodents Indirectly
- 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
- West Nile Virus
How Can You Prevent Rodents?
The best way to prevent rodents like rats and mice, as well as all other common household pests, is with a regular, preventative pest control plan, which will ensure you have an exterminator’s watchful eye on your home to identify any potential entry points for pests, year-round.
You can also prevent rodent problems by prioritizing effective sanitation measures and rodent-proofing techniques, which may include:
- Storing garbage in sealed containers and regularly cleaning your trash cans.
- Keeping food in sealed containers.
- Keeping pet food in sealed containers; if you’re storing it outdoors, be sure to use the same precautions as described above for other meat products like BBQ chicken or steaks from the grill.
- Doing your best to eliminate clutter from around your home to limit the hiding places available for mice or rats looking for a place to nest out of sight.
Protect Your Home from Rodents Year-Round
Remember: rats and mice are not just annoying pests—they can also threaten the health of you, your family, and your pets.
The best way to prevent rodent problems is with a year-round pest management plan from Suburban Exterminating. Click here to learn more.
