Know the Danger

Like many other types of rodents, mice are carriers of disease that can easily spread to humans (especially in the event of an infestation). One of the more dangerous of these rodent-carried illnesses is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (also known as Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, which is carried by the common deer mouse. Trasmittable to humans through either direct or indirect contact with deer mice or their fecal matter, this type of Hantavirus can lead to numerous complications and even death. Back in 1993, it was pinpointed as the cause of several deaths in the Four Corners area, and in 2018 it took the life of a 27-year-old woman in New Mexico. This is why catching a mouse infestation early and rodent-proofing homes is so important, as even just breathing in infected particles can cause the illness.

Here are the symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS):

• Fever and chills
• Severe Muscle Aches
• Fatigue
• Nausea and dizziness
• Headaches
• Stomach Pain

If you notice any of the symptoms above, it is important that you seek medical treatment right away. In the meantime, you should also make yourself aware of the signs of a mouse infestation.

Signs of an Infestation

But how to tell if you have a mouse problem? Deer mice, along with many other types of mice, like to burrow into walls, furniture, rugs and floors, and many times they go for weeks or months undetected while causing significant damage to the structure of your home and your valuables. Nevertheless, there are specific signs to watch out for. These signs include but are not limited to the following:

• Chewing or bite marks on furniture and food packaging
• Small holes in walls, furniture or floors
• Stale smells that seem to be coming from the walls or obscured areas
• Nesting materials (dried plants, fabric pieces, newspaper shreds, etc.)
• Rodent droppings
• Scurrying or other movement sounds

The Extermination Process

So you suspect you may have a rodent problem. What now? Rather than attempting to take any further action yourself (as doing so can actually cause further damage to your home and may even drive mice deeper into the structure), it is important that you give us a call to receive professional assistance. One of our trained and licensed experts will come do a thorough inspection and investigation of the problem and determine the best course of action from there. Following the inspection, the exact pest (type of rodent) will be identified and all environmental factors will be taken into consideration. Treatment and mouse removal will then follow, and this may require multiple follow-up service appointments.

Now, it is important to realize that the extermination process varies greatly between cases due to how varied infestations often are. The exact methods taken will depend largely on the type of home (or office building, etc.) and of course the severity of the infestation. The types of chemicals and removal methods used in one extermination process may not be appropriate for another, and the amount of time it tales to eradicate a problem may also vary. Regardless, there will always be a follow up inspection to make sure that the infestation has been successfully removed.

Infestation Prevention

Whether you no longer have an active mouse infestation or have never had one, it is important that you take steps to prevent one from occurring. Mouse control starts with examining the structure of your home and ensuring that any possible points of entry for rodents are closed up and secured. For homes in high risk location (such as those in or near desert environments), regular low-chemical treatments may be recommended around exteriors in order to keep rodents deterred and to help ensure you will never actually have to remove mice from your home.