Rats are not only a nuisance, they also cause health problems. Therefore, getting rid of rats is an important step you can take to protect yourself and your family from the harm it can cause.
Rats usually roam at night and eat leftover food or drink that is left behind or left open. When they eat them, these rodents can leave their feces, either in the form of saliva, fur, urine, or feces.
If the food or drink is consumed or you accidentally come into direct contact with the liquid or fur from this animal, you can also experience the risk of health problems.
Various Diseases Caused by Rats
Rats can transmit various diseases to the human body, either through bites, feces, or urine. In fact, transmission can also occur through intermediary fleas that suck the blood of infected mice.
The following are some types of diseases that can be caused by mice:
1. Allergies and asthma
Rat droppings can be an allergen that can trigger allergic reactions and asthma. This can occur especially in children or infants who often crawl or play on contaminated floors.
2. Salmonellosis or bacterial infection Salmonella
In addition to being caused by food that is not processed properly, bacteria Salmonella can also be transmitted through animals and one of them is rats. This disease can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, chills, headache, or bloody stools.
3. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria by means of animals, such as mice. This condition can cause mild symptoms, such as headache, fever, loss of appetite, chills, and muscle aches.
However, there are also severe and life-threatening symptoms, such as coughing up blood, chest pain, jaundice, swelling of the hands or feet, and shortness of breath.
If left untreated, leptospirosis can develop into a fatal condition and result in kidney damage and sepsis.
4. Ghost Virus
This disease is caused by the hantavirus or hantavirus. Hantavirus can cause early symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, or stomach pain. After a few days, you will have a cough and shortness of breath.
If not treated immediately, hantavirus sufferers can experience impaired lung function and kidney damage.
5. bubonic plague
The bubonic plague or pestilence is caused by the bite of a flea that has sucked the blood of a mouse infected with the bacteria Yersinia pestis.
This disease can occur in three forms, namely the bubonic plague that attacks the skin and lymph nodes.bubonic plague), plague on the lungs (pneumonic plague), and the bubonic plague (septicemic plague).
6. Tularemia
Tularemia is often caused by rodents, such as rabbits and rats. People who contract this disease will usually feel the symptoms approximately 3-5 days after exposure.
Signs and symptoms that often occur are skin ulcers, fever, cough, chills, fatigue, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and sore throat.
Safe Tips to Repel Rats
One way to get rid of rats is to use pesticides which are known to have toxic substances. The use of toxic substances in the house can certainly have a negative impact on the health of all family members, especially children.
However, you don't need to worry, because there are safe ways you can do to get rid of this pest, namely:
Get rid of objects that can attract mice
What you can do is get rid of objects that can attract rats, such as food and drink.
You can store food and drink in a safe place out of reach of mice. Also make sure you close the food storage cupboards and trash cans.
Make sure the rat entrance is closed
Mice can enter your home through small holes such as bathroom drains, air conditioner openings, or air vents. You can close the hole to prevent mice from entering the house.
Clean the house regularly
You also have to be diligent in cleaning all parts of the house, especially the kitchen. Leftovers left on the stove or refrigerator can invite mice into your home. In addition, also tidy up the pile of magazines and newspapers in the house so that mice do not hide there.
When cleaning the house, wear protective equipment, such as latex gloves and a mask, and remove all dirt and food debris to prevent mice from nesting in the house. Don't forget to wash your hands afterward.
If you still see rats roaming your home, find out other possible entrances. With the ways above, you can protect the whole family from the dangers of disease that can be caused by rats.
Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you experience symptoms and signs of a bacterial or viral infection from mice. The doctor will provide treatment according to your condition.
