What Diseases Do Rats Carry in Middletown Springs?

Rats and mice are more than just unwelcome guests in your home or business, they pose serious health risks from the diseases and bacteria they carry. These rodents can be harmful even if you never directly touch them. You might even become ill from consuming food that they have contaminated or simply by spending time in areas where they have established infestations. In Vermont, it’s well-known that rats and mice can be vectors for numerous harmful diseases.

Which Rodents Carry Diseases?

Nearly every species of rodent is capable of transmitting diseases to both humans and pets. However, rats and mice are the primary culprits when it comes to invading our living spaces and are therefore significant concerns for disease transmission. These pests can spread illnesses through their bites, scratches, or even through contact with their urine and feces. The risk of disease can also come from the ticks, fleas, or mites that reside on these rodents or within their nests. Here are some rodents to watch for:

• Deer mouse: This mouse predominantly carries hantavirus and salmonella. It is commonly found in rural or semi-rural areas and may invade homes to search for food.

• House mouse: Known to spread rat-bite fever and found globally, thriving in both urban and rural settings.

• Meadow vole: These voles can transmit tularemia (also known as rabbit fever). These rodents are often hosts to various ectoparasites like mites and ticks.

• Roof rat: These rats transmit leptospirosis, salmonella (through food contamination), rat-bite fever, murine typhus, and toxoplasmosis.

Rodent-Borne Illnesses to Watch Out For

Not every illness carried by rodents is deadly, but many can lead to severe health complications if not promptly addressed. In Vermont, some of the more severe diseases spread by these rodents include:

• Hantavirus: Typically transmitted by deer mice, this is a serious respiratory illness that starts with symptoms like fever and chills and requires immediate medical attention.

• Rat-bite fever: This disease is often spread through bites or scratches from infected rodents or even from handling deceased rodents or contaminated traps without adequate safety measures.

• Leptospirosis: Caused by bacteria in water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, this disease is often caused by rodents.
• Salmonellosis: Commonly linked to ingesting contaminated food, this illness can also be spread through rodent feces.
• Tularemia: Also known as rabbit fever, this disease can be contracted by handling infected rodents like the meadow vole.

• Murine Typhus: This disease is transmitted by fleas that have bitten infected rodents, particularly rats.

• Toxoplasmosis: While primarily associated with cat feces, rodents can also carry the parasite that causes this infection, which can lead to flu-like symptoms in healthy adults.

Symptoms of Rodent-Borne Illness

If you think you might have contracted a disease from a rodent, it’s essential to consult with a doctor, especially if you know of an infestation nearby or have recently handled a live or dead rodent. Common initial symptoms of rodent-borne diseases include: 

• Fever
• Muscle pains
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Ulcers

These symptoms should prompt an immediate visit to your healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation and treatment.

Take Care of Rat Infestations ASAP with Vermont Pest Control

Discovering rodents on your property requires immediate action to protect your health and your home. Contacting rodent extermination professionals like Vermont Pest Control for rodent control is a safe and effective way to eliminate these pests. 

We specialize in swiftly removing rats and mice, making sure they don’t return, thus protecting your family’s health and your property. Contact us today!