Rats can spread serious diseases to humans and pets through their droppings, urine, bites, or by contaminating food and surfaces. Preventing these diseases involves both controlling rat populations and reducing your exposure to them.

Do Rats Carry Diseases?

What Diseases Do Rats Carry

Let’s have a look at the underlying threats rodents pose:

• • • Salmonellosis

      It is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella bacteria. The bacteria can be found in the feces of the rodents. When food or water contaminated with rodent feces is consumed, Salmonellosis sets in. Some of the symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps. The infection spreads from your intestines all the way through to the lymphatic system. If you want to keep your family safe, you need to prevent rodent infestation. For that, you may need to contact a pest control professional or a rodent exterminator.

    • Bubonic Plague

      You may have heard of the Black Death. It was the greatest catastrophe ever. Apparently, the Black Death was the Bubonic plague caused by Yersinia Pestis, a bacteria that resides in rat fleas. The disease was supposedly transmitted from rodents to humans through infected flea bites. The symptoms include fever, vomiting, and headaches. There may be swollen or painful lymph nodes in the area closest to where the bacteria entered the human system.

    • Tularemia

      Another name for Tularemia is Rabbit Fever or Deer Fly Fever. It is caused by the bacterium Frencisella tularensis, which infects rodents. The disease is then passed to humans through skin contact or by inhaling the bacteria. The symptoms include skin ulcers, fever, chills, fatigue, and severe headaches.

    • Hantavirus

      Rodents are the main virus reservoir and a source of human infection. Hantavirus is transmitted from rodents to humans through inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta. You can get exposed to Hantavirus while cleaning rodent dead bodies, rodent droppings, nests, and urine. The symptoms include cough, fever, headache, lethargy, and muscle pain.

    • Rat-Bite Fever

      An infected rat’s bite or a scratch can cause rat-bite fever. Rat bites transfer Spirillum minus or Streptobacillus bacteria into humans and create serious complications that include heart, brain and lung infections. The symptoms include high fevers with chills, headaches, and joint pains.

Prevention of The Rat Disease

Keep Things Clean

• • • • Throw out garbage regularly in bins with tight lids.
      • Wipe up food spills and crumbs right away.
      • Store dry foods like rice, flour, and snacks in sealed containers.

Block Their Entry

• • • • Seal holes, cracks, and gaps in walls, floors, and around pipes.
      • Install door sweeps to block gaps underneath doors.
      • Cover vents and pipe openings with fine wire mesh.

Tidy the Outdoors

• • • • Trim grass, bushes, and plants regularly.
      • Remove piles of wood, leaves, or debris where rats can hide.
      • Bring pet food and water indoors at night.

Control and Remove Rats Safely

• • • • Use traps in areas where rats are active.
      • Place enclosed bait stations away from children and pets.
      • Call a professional pest control service for heavy infestations.

Protect Yourself During Cleanup

• • • • Wear gloves when handling droppings, nests, or traps.
      • Disinfect surfaces with a bleach solution.
      • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after cleanup.

Spread Awareness at Home

• • • • Let family members know rats can carry diseases like leptospirosis, hantavirus, and salmonella.
      • Keep this checklist visible so everyone follows the same prevention steps.

Wondering “Is there a rodent control near me?”

If you spot a rodent in your home, there may be a possibility that many of them have sneaked in to make your house their home. The best is to get rid of them. A professional can do the job effectively.

Take Care Termite in Tracy, California is known for effective residential and commercial pest control services. If you want to protect your home or office against pests, termites, birds, and rodents, then contact us now!