How Dangerous Are Mice?

Serving Sun Prairie, WI

Mice may seem harmless, but they can actually cause a lot of problems if they make their way inside your home or business. Mice can carry disease, contaminate food, and cause structural damage if left to their own devices. On top of that, they reproduce quickly; a single female mouse can produce up to 50 young in a single year. This means that if you spot one mouse, many more are probably lurking behind the scenes.

If you think you have a mouse problem in your home or business, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control. We’ll be there to assess the problem and plan next steps.

How Mice Infestations Damage Your Home

Mouse teeth never stop growing. They can even grow out of control and eventually harm the animal. To keep this from happening, mice will chew nearly constantly on anything they can get their paws on. This can be anything from plastic and fabric to drywall and wiring. Their teeth are also very strong, so metal won’t stop them.

With this constant chewing, mice can easily cause extensive structural damage. If they chew through wires or gas lines, they could even start a fire.

Do Mice Pose Health Risks?

Yes. Mice (and the parasites they carry with them) are known to carry several diseases that can spread to people. They are primarily spread through contact with a mouse’s bodily fluids, such as saliva, urine, or feces.

Mouse-Borne Diseases

• Hantavirus. Hantavirus causes Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which comes with flu-like symptoms – fatigue, fever, and muscle aches – that quickly give way to severe respiratory distress. This disease has a 38% mortality rate. With no vaccine available, it’s important to get medical attention quickly if you suspect you have HPS.
• Salmonella. Mice pick up dirt and bacteria as they scurry along the ground, which they track onto food while foraging. Unsecured food can easily be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, which causes food poisoning.
• Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV). This serious disease may first present with flu-like symptoms, but will later develop dangerous symptoms like meningitis and encephalitis. 

You can minimize your risk of all of these diseases by handling mouse bodily fluids and dead mice with care. If you must clean up after a mouse yourself, use a bleach solution, wear a particle mask and gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Parasites Carried By Mice

Mice in Wisconsin are known to carry various parasites in and on their bodies that can spread disease to humans. These include mites, fleas, and ticks, which can transmit diseases like typhus, Lyme disease, and even plague. They also carry tapeworms and roundworms, which can potentially spread to people.

Do Mice Bite?

They can, but it’s unlikely; mice will usually only bite when handled or threatened. You’re much more likely to get sick from handling dead mice or their bodily fluids, but mouse bites can also spread disease or cause allergic reactions.

Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control Provides Professional Mouse Control in Wisconsin

The Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control team provides effective mouse control to home and business owners all over the Wisconsin area. Whether you need help getting an existing infestation under control or you want to prevent the next one from happening, we have all the skills and experience to meet your needs. Using a multi-step strategy tailored to your property, we can significantly reduce your risk of mouse infestation – and all the problems that come with it.

Give us a call to get started with a free estimate!

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