Dangers of Rodents in Tennessee

Everyone knows rodent infestations can be gross, but they can be dangerous, too! Rats and mice are destructive in nature—their nesting and chewing regularly cause messes. Even worse, they are known to carry and transmit a number of dangerous diseases. Although bites are rare, they can contaminate and spread bacteria anywhere they go.

There are several dangers of rodents to be wary of in the Knoxville area, making it important to work with the experts at Knoxville to prevent them.

Are Mice Dangerous in Knoxville?

For the most part, rats and mice are not aggressive creatures and will avoid making contact with humans. If they are seen, they likely will scamper out of view and back into hiding. In the rare case, someone gets bitten by a rat, it’s always recommended to seek medical attention. The most common dangers of rodents are their droppings. While rare, rat feces have been known to spread dangerous diseases, some of which are outlined below.

Dangerous Diseases Spread by Rats

Although these are not common, some of the diseases infamously transmitted by rodents include:

1. Hantavirus: a potentially life-threatening disease transmitted to humans by rodents, especially the white-footed deer mouse
2. Salmonellosis: a type of food poisoning spread by rodent feces, especially through the consumption of contaminated food
3. Bubonic Plague: also known as the “Black Death”, the Plague is a highly contagious and often deadly disease infamous for killing one-third of the European population during the Middle Ages.
4. Rat-Bite Fever (RBF): a potentially fatal infectious disease spread by infected rodents or the consumption of food contaminated by rodents.

How to Prevent the Dangers of Mice Infestations

If you have a rodent infestation, there’s no need to panic. Although rats and mice have been tied to a number of dangerous diseases, the real threat of an infestation is the destruction and mess they cause! For help with rodent problems in your Knoxville area property, it’s best to call the rodent exterminators at Russell’s Pest Control.