DISEASES TRANSMITTED
DIRECTLY
Transferred directly to humans through
1.) Bite wounds and 2.) Ingestion of food or water contaminated with rodent urine or droppings
INDIRECTLY
Transferred indirectly to humans through ticks, mites or fleas that fed on infected rodents.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Us, 1993-2013
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a rare but deadly respiratory disease which is caused by infection with a hantavirus. Rodents in and around the home can transmit the virus and infect even healthy individuals.
36% of the cases from 2003 to 2013 were fatal.
STOP RODENT INVASION
Seal holes in and around the property – Look for holes and gaps inside and outside your property. For small holes, steel wool can be used. For larger holes, use materials like lath metal or cement. Make sure to block all areas where rodents can gain entry to your home or building.
Sanitize – Reduce rodent populations inside your property by eliminating possible food and water sources.
• Clean and sanitize regularly
• Pick up spilled food immediately and wash dishes after use
• Store human and pet food in sturdy containers with tight lids
• Don’t leave pet food out overnight
• Use garbage cans with properly fitting lids
Eliminate potential nesting sites – Remove piles of garbage and debris in and around your property. Don’t store old tires, boxes and or junk that can be used by rodents as nesting sites. Elevate trash cans and woodpiles about 1 foot above the ground.
Trap rodents – Trap rodents in around the property to reduce infestation. Never place traps or baits in anyplace that can be reached by children and pets.
- Live Traps
- Lethal Traps
- Posion Baits
Estimates show that approximately 21 million homes are infested by rodents every year especially during winter, which is why you should know who to call for rodent control in your area.
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Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/
United States Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/
University of Florida – IFAS Extension http://www.maine.gov/ http://ifas.ufl.edu/
University of California Museum of Paleontology http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Museum of Zoology
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/
National Pesticide Information Center http://npic.orst.edu/
Pawnation – http://animals.pawnation.com/