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Hantavirus Infection
is a serious, life-threatening illness caused by breathing in the
virus. The virus is carried in the airborne particles of rodent urine,
droppings or saliva. The best protection against the virus is to
prevent all rodents from entering your home and to have a professional
pest control company, such as Pestmaster Services, Inc., carefully
clean and disinfect where they have been.
Who Is At Risk?
Families living in houses with rodents or who move into homes where
rodents have been. Do not go into buildings that have been empty or
have had rodents without properly airing out and disinfecting. Campers
and hikers should avoid all rodents, burrows and dens. Do not use
cabins until they have been aired out and disinfected. Pitch tents in
areas without rodent droppings and burrows. Avoid camping near wood
piles or garbage areas where rodents might live. Use tents with floors
or cover ground under sleeping area. Sleep on elevated cots, if
possible. Use only bottled, filtered, boiled or chemically disinfected
water. Store food in rodent-proof containers and promptly discard, bury
or burn all garbage.
Individuals who clean barns, outbuildings or other grain storage areas
where rodents are likely to live should use precaution. If you are
cleaning a building where rodents have been, wear rubber gloves and
protective goggles, disposable overalls and shoe covers, or launderable
clothing and rubber boots. If possible wear cloth or paper breathing
protectors. After cleaning, disinfect all protective gear. Immediately
launder all clothing that is not disposable or soak them in
disinfectant until they can be washed. Trap outbuildings until no more
rodents are caught for 2-3 days. For electricians, plumbers or others
who work in crawl spaces, breathing protection should be used when
entering areas where rodents have been. Wear protective clothing, shoes
and gloves that can be disinfected or thrown away. Know the symptoms of
the infection and practice the following simple prevention procedures,
especially if you are cleaning outbuildings, moving into unoccupied
homes or working in crawl spaces of buildings where rodents might be
found. If you develop a fever or breathing illness within 45 days of
your last exposure to rodents, see your doctor or local health
department.
Here are some ways to PROTECT YOUR FAMILY From the Hantavirus
Rodents can enter your home through a hole
the size of a shirt button. They are attracted to food not kept in
closed containers. You must make your home and outbuildings less
attractive to rodents by closing off access to food, water and shelter.
When cleaning areas where rodents have been, always wear rubber gloves,
set traps, clean with disinfectant, and carefully handle dead rodents
and their droppings. Because rodents may carry fleas that carry the
Plague, another deadly disease, you will need to treat for fleas. A cat
or dog cannot spread the Hantavirus from a rodent to a person.
 Keep clean.
Prevent Entry, Trap And Dispose.
Secure House
Eliminate Rodents and Fleas
Disposal
Follow-up
Outside Control
Disinfect (Floors, Surfaces, Bedding and Clothing, and Furniture)
The primary carrier of the Hantavirus is the Deer Mouse. It is four to
nine inches from head to tail, ranges in color from pale gray to
reddish brown, and has white fur on its belly, feet and underside of
the tail. Other rodents that may carry the Hantavirus include
squirrels, rats, chipmunks and other kinds of mice; however, all
rodents should be treated as if they carry the virus.
"Don't be in danger, call Pestmaster Services today to protect you from this deadly virus!"
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