Why is a common mouse dangerous? - briefly
The typical house mouse transmits pathogens—including Hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis—via urine, feces, and bites, creating a direct health threat. Its gnawing habit damages electrical wiring and structural elements, raising fire risk and repair costs.
Why is a common mouse dangerous? - in detail
A typical house mouse carries a variety of pathogens that can infect humans and domestic animals. Saliva, urine, and feces contain hantavirus, which may cause severe respiratory illness; Salmonella, leading to gastrointestinal infection; and leptospira, responsible for kidney damage and fever. Contact with contaminated surfaces or consumption of food tainted by mouse droppings can transmit these agents quickly.
Mice contaminate stored food by shedding hair and droppings, creating conditions for bacterial growth. Their gnawing behavior damages insulation, electrical wiring, and structural components, increasing fire risk and costly repairs. The resulting short circuits can also interrupt critical medical equipment in healthcare settings.
Allergic reactions arise from mouse dander and urine proteins, provoking asthma attacks and chronic sinus inflammation in sensitive individuals. The rapid breeding cycle—each female producing up to ten litters annually—allows populations to expand from a few individuals to thousands within months, amplifying health and property hazards.
Economic losses stem from product spoilage in warehouses, reduced crop yields in agricultural environments, and expenses associated with pest‑control programs. Effective mitigation includes sealing entry points, maintaining rigorous sanitation, deploying traps or bait stations, and, when necessary, engaging professional exterminators to limit exposure and prevent outbreak escalation.