Rats and mice can pose serious health risks to Maryland homeowners, carrying up to 35 different diseases.
The most common mice in Maryland are the Norway rat and house mouse, both capable of spreading dangerous diseases, such as hantavirus and salmonella, through direct contact or droppings.
While you might think these diseases are rare, there were 864 reported cases of hantavirus in 2022 in the US.
In addition, there are several additional diseases that mice and rats can transmit in Maryland–especially in settings like Baltimore that struggle with rats–that you should familiarize yourself with.
This guide will discuss common rodent-borne diseases in Maryland and offer tips to help prevent them.
How Rodents Transmit Diseases to Humans
Rodents in Maryland can spread disease in a number of ways, and the scary part is that they don’t always need to make direct contact. Simply sharing a living space with them is enough to risk exposure.
Some ways that mice and rats spread disease to humans include:
- Direct contact: Scratches, bites, or direct handling of rodents.
- Indirect contact: Touching surfaces contaminated with urine or droppings.
- Inhalation: Breathing in dust contaminated with urine or droppings.
- Ingestion: Consuming contaminated food or water that’s been exposed to rodents and their waste.
Rodents are elusive, often nesting and traveling behind walls and dwelling in similar hard-to-reach areas.
An infestation can go unnoticed until droppings, gnaw marks, and other signs begin to appear.
By that point, the risk of exposure is very high, and you’ll need to work carefully as you clean up and remove the rodents from your home.
5 Common Types of Diseases Spread By Rodents in Maryland
If you are experiencing any adverse symptoms after discovering mice or rats in your home, contact a healthcare professional to rule out any of the following dangerous diseases,
Disease 1: Hantavirus
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is among the most serious diseases carried by rodents. It’s mostly found in wild rodents, like deer mice, but house mice and the Norway rat can also spread it.
Early medical attention is critical, as symptoms can escalate rapidly from flu-like illness to severe respiratory distress.
Disease 2: Salmonella
Rodents in a home often spread Salmonella through food or water that’s been contaminated by urine and droppings.
Once infected with Salmonella, people may experience gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea, dehydration, and abdominal pain.
Young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe complications.
Disease 3: Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is another disease spread by rodents that can be particularly dangerous. It’s often spread through urine and feces, contaminated food, and direct contact.
Flu-like symptoms are typical of Leptospirosis, but it can also lead to liver or kidney failure and meningitis.
Disease 4: Rat-Bite Fever
Rat-bite fever gets its name from the fact that it’s most commonly spread through bites, but you don’t need to be bitten to catch it. It’s a bacterial disease caused by pathogens such as Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus.
Symptoms include fever, headaches, and swelling in joints and muscles, and can affect major organs and even become fatal if left untreated.
Disease 5: Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCMV)
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCMV) is a viral disease carried primarily by the house mouse. It can easily be spread by direct and indirect contact.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue.
In extreme cases, it can lead to neurological symptoms, meningitis, encephalitis, or complications for pregnant women.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Exposure
These diseases need to be taken seriously, and you need to do your best to limit exposure.
The best ways homeowners can shield themselves from potential exposure include:
- Monitor for signs of infestation: Look for gnaw marks, nesting materials, and droppings, and listen for unusual sounds that indicate an active infestation. Take the steps to remove rodents if there is.
- Seal entry points: Fill holes, gaps, and cracks in walls, floors, and foundations.
- Remove food and water sources: Fix leaking pipes and clean standing water. Make sure to eliminate crumbs and use rodent-proof containers for food.
- Eliminate shelter and nesting materials: Clean and declutter storage spaces, basements, attics, and garages.
- Use safe cleanup practices: Don’t vacuum or sweep droppings or dust, as they can spread. Instead, spray with disinfectant, allow it to sit, then wipe away with paper towels. Always wear gloves and a mask to avoid exposure.
When to Seek Professional Rodent Control
While mouse traps can be effective for the odd rodent or two, it’s better to let a professional handle any rodent sightings to limit infestations and the chance for disease transmission.
Pest control specialists address rodent problems by conducting detailed inspections, safely removing active infestations, sanitizing contaminated areas, sealing entry points, and implementing exclusion measures that prevent re-entry.
Using professional-grade tools and proven treatment methods, they eliminate rodents at the source, reduce health risks from droppings and urine, and provide long-term protection to keep homes clean, safe, and rodent-free.
FAQs
Can you get sick from breathing in rodent droppings?
Yes. Dust from dried urine, droppings, and nesting materials can carry viruses such as hantavirus or LCMV.
Are mice as dangerous as rats when it comes to disease?
Yes. Both rats and mice carry diseases that are dangerous to humans.
Can pets catch diseases from rodents?
Yes. Pets that consume infected rodents can get sick and may even spread pathogens.
How long do rodent germs stay active in droppings or urine?
It depends on the conditions, but some pathogens can persist for weeks, and you should always treat droppings and nesting materials as if they are actively dangerous.
What should I do if I clean an area with rodent waste?
Wear gloves and a protective mask, and ventilate the area. Spray with disinfectant, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it away.
Can rodents spread diseases without direct contact?
Yes. Disease can spread through indirect contact via droppings, contaminated food, and surfaces.
Can rodent diseases become airborne?
Yes. Sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings and nesting materials can release contaminated particles into the air, increasing the risk of inhalation.
Is it safe to vacuum mouse or rat droppings?
No. Vacuuming can aerosolize harmful pathogens; droppings should always be dampened with disinfectant and removed carefully by hand.
Do rodent diseases spread quickly inside a home?
Yes. Once rodents are present, contamination can spread rapidly through kitchens, HVAC systems, insulation, and stored items if the infestation is not addressed promptly.