Mice Dangers
Mice are a very serious infestation that can cause illness and damage your home. Mice carry parasites like fleas and ticks which can spread disease and transfer illnesses like Lyme disease. Their feces can cause serious bowel obstruction if accidentally consumed. They are also coated in bacteria and spread that bacteria through the air with dander and bits of fur. Mice generally live in walls where they make nests in the insulation. They have ever-growing incisor teeth that force them to constantly chew on things to file them down. This can include electrical wires that can start a fire inside the walls of your home or in the attic. Both are places where it is very difficult to put the fire out. This is why it is incredibly important to get them treated and to seal the entryways they are using to get into the house.
Mice life cycle and reproduction
Mice can multiply rapidly. So much so that trying to kill them with snap traps is impossible. Like the tale of the hydra from Greek myth, cut off one head, two will take its place. A single female mouse can enter your home pregnant and give birth to up to twelve pups who take only two weeks to reach sexual maturity and unlike humans, mice can inbreed to their heart’s content. Once an infestation is established the females can be inseminated as little as twenty-four hours after giving birth and can have up to fifteen litres a year. This grows exponentially with each litter to the point that your home will be filled with hundreds and eventually thousands of mice.
Mice feces
One of the worst parts about having a mouse infestation is the feces which is very dangerous and can cause a serious respiratory illness called Hantavirus. Sweeping up mouse feces can release this virus into the air where it can infect you and trying to vacuum it can make it worse. You can try spraying it with disinfectant to make it safer to remove but there will always be a risk. If it gets into the fabric like a carpet then the difficulty of removing it becomes nearly impossible. You may have to throw it away.
EPA guidelines
The EPA recommends spraying the area thoroughly with bleach and then leaving it to seep in. The rug can then be wiped down with a paper towel. Do not try taking the rug outside and pouring it with a broom as this will release the Hantavirus in giant clouds that will surely infect you.
Professional Cleaning
Any amount of rodent feces is a severe danger to your health. Calling in a professional to clean it is always the best option. They have special PPE like full face covering respirators that can prevent them from inhaling the dust as well as industrial foggers that can pump a mist of hospital-grade botanical disinfectant into places of deep harbourage like behind walls resolving severe smell issues and guarantee a sterile home. There is nothing they cannot clean and many pest control services will be able to do it once they have finished treating the actual mouse infestation.