Deer mice are a major problem in certain parts of the United States, and there is a good chance that these rodents have found their way into your home. Deer mice are a concern for many reasons, the most pressing of which is their ability to spread hantavirus. This deadly disease is found in deer mouse droppings, and it progresses very quickly after initial infection. Read on to learn more about these rodents and find out if they are present in your home, as well as the best ways to show them the door.

Deer Mice Are A Concern In Rural Areas

If your home is in a rural area, or is very close to woods or a forest, you are far more likely to find deer mice than homeowners in metropolitan areas. Deer mice are not unheard of in big cities, but usually they are only spotted in recently developed areas or cities that have been recently developed or are surrounded by woods. There are several other varieties of mice and rats that are a bigger problem in these more urban areas.

Their name is derived from their deer-like agility, these rodents will commonly be spotted sprinting and jumping around homes. This trait makes them hard to spot, as they’ll dart into hiding quickly when they hear you enter a room. Deer mice could be living in your home for a while before you ever notice their presence. Most homeowners become aware of deer mice infestation upon spotting their droppings or gnaw marks.

Deer Mice Spread Hantavirus

Hantavirus is one of the most dangerous diseases that is spread by household pests. A deer mouse does not have to bite or scratch you in order for you to contract hantavirus, in fact it is spread almost exclusively through their droppings. The dangers of mouse droppings have been well documented, and if rodents are present in your home you will start finding their excrement all over your home.

Mouse droppings lead to the spread of disease, and quickly. Since mice will be looking for food sources throughout your home, if the infestation is surviving they are coming in direct contact with your food supply. This means they’ll be leaving droppings behind, and scurrying all over packaging and containers in your pantry. Their feet are covered in bacteria too, and before you know it your whole family could be sick.

Here are the signs of hantavirus:

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Muscle aches (especially in thighs, shoulders, back and hips)

• Headache

• Chills

• Nausea

After 10 days the disease reaches advanced levels, and coughing and shortness of breath appear due to the lungs filling with fluid. Hantavirus has a mortality rate of nearly 40%, so this disease should not be taken lightly. If you’ve recently experienced a rodent infestation in your home, it would be wise to visit your family physician.

Don’t Trust DIY Methods, Call An Exterminator Today

Mousetraps, rat poison, and other DIY methods of getting rid of rodents rarely prove effective. Even if they do, the risk is too high when these pests spread such deadly diseases. While small populations can sometimes be effectively removed using these methods, they actually just give the rodents more time to reproduce. If deer mice or other rodents are present in your home you should get in touch with a rodent control expert right away.

There are many exterminators out there, so make sure that you select one that has a customized approach to dealing with mice and other rodents. The longer you wait to get in touch with a professional, the higher the chances get of your loved ones becoming ill. Don’t wait, call a deer mice exterminator today.