Are Mice Dangerous? The Real Health Risks in Calgary Homes
Many Calgary homeowners assume mice are just a minor nuisance — something to deal with eventually. The reality is far more serious. Mice carry multiple pathogens, damage your home's structure, and reproduce rapidly.
Diseases Spread by Mice in Calgary
1. Hantavirus (Most Dangerous)
Hantavirus is a potentially fatal respiratory disease spread through mouse urine, droppings, and saliva. Alberta has documented hantavirus cases — it's not rare here.
How you get infected: Inhaling dust contaminated with mouse urine or feces. This can happen while cleaning, renovating, or disturbing areas where mice have been active.
Symptoms: Fever, muscle aches, fatigue (early), then severe respiratory distress. Fatality rate is approximately 38% in confirmed cases.
2. Salmonella
Mice contaminate food surfaces and stored food with their droppings. Salmonella causes severe gastrointestinal illness — vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
3. Leptospirosis
Spread through mouse urine, leptospirosis can cause liver and kidney damage if untreated.
4. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)
A viral infection spread by house mice. Can cause meningitis and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.
Property Damage: The Hidden Cost
Beyond health risks, mice cause significant structural damage:
- Electrical fires: Mice chew through wire insulation constantly. This is a leading cause of house fires in Calgary.
- Insulation damage: Mice shred insulation for nesting material, reducing your home's energy efficiency.
- Plumbing: Mice can chew through plastic pipe fittings.
- Foundation: Entry tunnels weaken exterior walls and foundations over time.
Average cost of mouse damage repair in Calgary: $500 - $5,000+
Professional pest control ($300) is significantly cheaper than remediation.
How Fast Do Mice Multiply?
A single female mouse can produce 35-40 pups per year. A pair of mice becomes a colony of 200+ within 12 months.
This is why acting immediately is critical. Waiting 2-3 months turns a small problem into a major infestation.
Safe Mouse Removal: Protect Yourself
If you're cleaning an area where mice have been active:
- Wear an N95 respirator mask
- Wear rubber gloves
- Do NOT sweep or vacuum (this aerosolizes particles)
- Spray the area with a 1:10 bleach solution and let sit for 5 minutes before wiping
Professional Rodent Control: What's Included
Calgary Pest Guard's rodent control service includes:
- Complete property inspection
- Strategic trap and bait station placement
- Entry point identification and sealing
- Follow-up visit to confirm elimination
- Prevention recommendations
Starting from $300. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Call (825) 760-5364 now — don't wait while mice multiply.