Mouse and Rodent Control MN
Q. Where Do Mice Live?
A. Many species oh house mice live all across the United States. Deer mice are also found throughout most of North America, but white-footed mice mostly lice east of the Rocky Mountains. Very urban and very rural areas attract mice wither because of garbage or crop, respectively. In the outdoors, farms, fields, wooded areas and vacant lots provide excellent mouse homes. Mice will often build nests in underground burrow or at ground level. They’ll line their nests with cloth and paper; mouse nests look like a ball loosely woven together.
More often than not, house mice, deer mice and white-footed mice move into human territory. Mice will burrow into shreds, homes, businesses, porches, desks, attics, crawlspaces and woodpiles to create a home. They will enter foundation openings, scurry under doors thresholds, and climb walls and stucco to get to kitchens, pantries and food-storage areas.
As humans build their homes and businesses closer to natural habitat, the mice take up residence in manmade living space. These locations are warm and often surrounded by food source for both male and female mice, young and old. Female mice, in particular of human areas, enjoy the safety of human areas. They must protect their babies from predators. Area’s like woodpiles, leaf piles and stacks of bricks also serve as mouse shelters outside your home or business.
Attics, walls, kitchens, pantries, storage rooms and crawlspaces are hot spots in your home where mice seek shelter. Some mothers go so far as to tuck their babies down into crawlspaces, between floors, in wall cavities, in storage areas and in attic insulation. Mice will also live between floors in two- or three story homes and businesses. Some mice enjoy living in large electrical appliances, such as in backside of an oven, where they can cause lots of mice oven damage. Mice love areas of the kitchen, including drawers holding food, storage boxes and foodstuffs. They also like to live in clothing.
Q. I Heard Mice Carry Disease. Is That True?
A. Mice’s reputation as filthy animals is 100% accurate. House mice, deer mice and white-footed mice are primary carries of leptospirosis, salmonella, mouse bite fever, Rickettsialpox, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, tapeworms, ringworm and Hantavirus.
Humans become infected with leptospirosis when they come into contact with water, food or soil containing urine from an infected mouse. If a mouse has been scurrying around in your food or water, leptospirosis can be easily transmitted once you consume that food and water. The disease starts out with flu-like symptoms which can develop into liver failure or meningitis.
Mice carry the bacteria Salmonella. People who pick up salmonella bacteria can become seriously ill with diarrhea, vomiting, fever and chills. Salmonella can also affect the blood. Mouse salmonella can be spread through mouse droppings.
Human may contract Mouse Bite Fever from a mouse bite, hence the disease’s name. But humans can also get Mouse Bite Fever by coming into contact with mouse urines or nose, mouth or eye secretions of a sick mouse. Rash, flu-like symptoms and heart illnesses can all be symptoms of Mouse Bit Fever.
Rickettsialpox is characterized by a rash at the site of a mite bite. Mice carry around a colorless mite, which then can be transferred to human and bit them. After the rash appears, humans can also get fever, chills and headaches.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis is a virus that can infect humans when they come into contact with mouse droppings and urines. It can lead to inflammation of the brain and is particularly dangerous to pregnant women, in whom it causes miscarriage and retardation of the fetus.
Tapeworms and Ringworms are parasites of the digestive system that live in human intestines.
Hantavirus is a deadly disease transmitted through mouse excretions Humans can get it by breathing in the airborne virus. Hantavirus can cause fever, muscle aches, cough and respiratory failure and potentially death.
Q. Will Mice Hurt My House Pet?
A. Because mice carry disease and mouse insects, house mice, deer mice and white-footed mice living in your attic, kitchen, pantry, storage room, walls or crawlspaces can pose a damage to house pets, Mice may also bite your dog or cat and transmit any of the diseases list in below.
