While some people would easily raise a mouse as a pet, others go hysterical at the sight of one. This reaction is totally justified considering the many threats posed by mice and other rodents. In some cases, they are responsible for transmitting illnesses, some of which may be deadly, while in most instances they cause destruction and damages to furniture, clothing, and even electronics.
Here is an insight into the dangers mice pose.
Diseases
Mice carry bacteria, germs, and other pathogens on their bodies and in their mouths. These pathogens may be spread around the house as the mice move, posing a health threat to the inhabitants. For instance, research shows that in the past decade alone, more than 10 million people died because of mice-related illnesses.
Common diseases transmitted by mice include:
• Lyme disease – this is caused by a bite from a rodent tick and is characterized by fever, headaches, and skin lesions among others.
• Hantavirus – Hantavirus is transmitted through feces and urine excretions as well as other rodent body fluids. It may cause renal failure and severe respiratory complications, which may lead to death.
• Typhus – typhus is caused by a bite from a rat flea. It also causes respiratory disorders, headaches, and skin rash.
• Rat-bite fever – mice may seem timid, but they do bite, leaving a persistent relapsing fever.
• Plague – plague may be caused either by a bite from a rodent flea or just by handling an infected mouse. Effects include circulatory and respiratory complications, both of which lead to death if not treated.
Destruction of property
Mice are also notorious for causing damages to valuables in the house. They tend to nibble virtually everything, including clothes, wooden furniture, plastics, paper money and even wires among other things. This compromises the beauty of furniture and clothes, making it necessary to replace them in most cases.
In addition, nibbling at electronics and wires may compromise their utility or even cause electrical faults. This is, in fact, one of the leading causes of equipment malfunction in mice inhabited factories and farms.
Food poisoning
Mice will forego nibbling at wood anytime for a bite of your leftover foods. Unfortunately, they tend to invade wholly on the food, exposing it to pathogens on their bodies and in their mouths. In such cases, eating the food may cause transmission of illnesses or lead to severe food poisoning.
Conclusion
These are some of the common dangers posed by mice in people’s day-to-day lives. In rare cases, they may lead to an outbreak of rare diseases like the plague.
As such, ensure that your house is always clean and decongested to discourage mice infestation.