Mice infestations in the attic is more than just a nuisance for homeowners; it’s a serious problem that threatens the health and well-being of anyone living inside the home. Unfortunately, many homeowners choose to ignore the problem, allowing the mice to reproduce and multiply their numbers. Although they usually only give birth to 6-12 baby mice (known as pups), female mice are capable of birthing once every week, so you can see just how quickly the problem spirals out of control. To learn more about the dangers of mice infestations in the attic, keep reading.
Chew Through Wires and Drywall
Yep, mice love to chew through just about anything they can get their furry little paws on. Whether it’s electrical wiring, drywall, support beams, or old storage boxes, you’ll probably notice chewed up remains along with the bite marks scattered throughout your attic. And when mice began to work their teeth through electrical wiring, it creates a serious fire hazard. The exposed and damaged electrical wires may short and catch fire to nearby debris.
Brings In Ticks, Fleas and Other Pests
Another danger associated with mice infestations is the pests they bring into the home. Ticks, fleas and other disease-carrying pests are attracted to mice. Once they’ve latched on to a mouse, they’ll make their way into your home where they threaten the well-being of you and your family. Spraying your attic with a professional-grade pesticide may offer some temporary relief, but it’s not solving the root cause of the problem, which is the mice infestation. The bottom line is that you have to remove the mice to prevent pests such as ticks and fleas from coming back into your home.
Mice Carry Disease
If you still needed another reason to treat the mice infestation in your attic, here’s one: mice are known to carry a number of diseases which are transmittable to humans. See the list below for a breakdown on some of the many diseases which mice are known to carry.
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
- Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
- Lassa Fever
- Leptospirosis
- Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM)
- Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever
- Plague (yes, it’s still around)
- Rat-Bite Fever
- Salmonellosis
- Tularemia
Now that you know a little bit about the dangers of having a mice infestation in your attic, you’re probably eager to kick them out of your home for good. Give the Attic Guys a call for professional mice cleanup service along with ‘rodent-proofing’ your attic.
