Rats might seem like a minor nuisance, but did you know they can pose serious risks to our health? 

Rat-borne diseases are illnesses that rats carry and can pass on to humans. These diseases don’t just stay in dark basements or attics; they can easily make their way into our daily lives. 

But how do rats spread diseases to humans? It often happens through their droppings, urine, saliva, or even fleas and ticks that hitch a ride on them. For those of us in Kitchener-Waterloo, it’s essential to understand these risks and how to protect our families. 

That’s why at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’re here to help you keep rats from making your home theirs. Along with explaining how rats spread diseases, we’ll also discuss how to prevent rat disease transmission and why professional help is so important in keeping your home safe.

How Do Rats Spread Diseases to Humans?

If you’ve found droppings or noticed scratching sounds in your walls, it’s not just an annoyance. Rats can carry harmful pathogens that get into your home and impact your health. Here’s how they spread these diseases:

• Droppings and Urine: Rats leave traces wherever they go, contaminating food, water, and surfaces. If these germs aren’t cleaned up properly, they can make you sick.
• Bites or Scratches: While rare, direct contact with a rat through a bite or scratch can transmit infections.
• Fleas and Ticks: Rats often carry parasites like fleas and ticks. These parasites can jump onto humans or pets, spreading diseases further.
• Airborne Particles: Rat droppings, when disturbed, can release germs into the air that are dangerous to inhale.

Now that we’ve covered how rats spread diseases, let’s take a closer look at specific rat-borne diseases and how they can affect your health.

Common Rat-Borne Diseases and Their Spread

Understanding the risks of rat-borne diseases requires knowing which illnesses they can carry and how they’re transmitted. Here are some of the most common ones:

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness. This disease spreads to humans through contact with rat droppings, urine, or saliva. When cleaning or disturbing areas with rat waste, tiny virus particles can become airborne and enter your lungs. People working in rat-infested spaces without protection are at the highest risk. Symptoms start mild with fever, fatigue, and muscle aches but can quickly become severe, causing breathing trouble and lung problems.

To lower your risk of HPS, avoid stirring up dust or debris in areas with rat droppings. Use damp cleaning methods, disinfectants, gloves, and masks when cleaning potentially contaminated spaces. Another crucial prevention step is storing food in sturdy, sealed containers to keep rats away.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease often spread through water contaminated by rat urine. The bacteria can enter your body through cuts, scrapes, or even through mucous membranes like the eyes or mouth. Early symptoms include fever, chills, and muscle aches, but in more serious cases, the disease can lead to kidney or liver damage.

To prevent Leptospirosis, avoid touching or walking through standing water where rats may have been. Always wear protective gloves if you’re working in areas where rats are active. Keeping rats out of your home entirely is the best way to stop their urine from contaminating your environment.

Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is caused by Salmonella bacteria, which rats can spread when they contaminate food or cooking areas with their droppings, urine, or even their feet. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, and though usually not severe, the illness can still be uncomfortable and last for days.

To avoid Salmonellosis, always clean kitchen counters, surfaces, and utensils thoroughly. Store food in rat-proof containers and inspect areas where food is prepared to ensure they’re free of contamination. Proper sanitation and controlling rat access to your home are the best defences.

Rat-Bite Fever (RBF)

Rat-Bite Fever (RBF) spreads through bites, scratches, or even just touching a rat and then touching your face or mouth. Symptoms include fever, rashes, muscle pain, and joint swelling. Serious complications can arise if the disease is not treated promptly.

To prevent RBF, avoid handling rats altogether and hire a professional service like Skedaddle for humane wildlife removal. If you’re bitten or scratched by a rat, wash the wound immediately and seek medical attention. Wearing gloves and protective clothing when working in rat-infested areas is also a smart precaution.

Plague

The plague may seem like a disease of the past, but it still exists today, though it’s rare. It’s caused by fleas that carry bacteria from infected rats. These fleas can bite humans, transferring the disease. Symptoms include high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and extreme chills.

To protect yourself from the plague and keep rats and their fleas out of your home, seal entry points and maintain cleanliness. Prompt action to address rat infestations, including using solutions like one-way doors, can help reduce your risk.

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV)

LCMV is a virus carried by rats that’s particularly concerning for people with weakened immune systems or pregnant women. It spreads through contact with rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials. The virus can also become airborne, infecting people who breathe in contaminated particles. Symptoms can range from mild fever and headaches to more severe neurological issues like meningitis.

The best way to prevent LCMV is to keep rats out of your home. Block any cracks or holes they could use as entry points, and when cleaning up areas where rats have been, use gloves and avoid dry sweeping. This helps stop the spread of dangerous particles into the air.

How to Prevent Rat Disease Transmission

Now that we know which diseases rats can spread and how they do it, prevention becomes the key focus. Here are some actionable steps you can take to safeguard your home:

• Seal Entry Points: Rats can squeeze through even the tiniest openings. Inspect your home for gaps in walls, doors, or windows and seal them up.
• Proper Food Storage: Always store food in airtight containers. This includes pantry items and pet food, which can attract hungry rats.
• Eliminate Clutter: Rats love hiding in piles of junk or yard debris. Keep your home and outdoor areas clean and organized to give them fewer places to settle.
• Mind Your Waste: Use secure garbage bins with tight-fitting lids. Dispose of waste regularly and avoid leaving it exposed.
• Call Professionals: DIY methods like traps or poison often fail to address the root of the problem. That’s where our services can make a real difference. We focus on humane and effective solutions, like one-way doors that allow rats to leave but prevent them from coming back.

Why Professional Help is Crucial

Rats are clever animals. They can find surprising ways to sneak into your home and will keep coming back until the problem is solved properly. While it’s tempting to try at-home fixes, it’s better to leave the job to experts like us. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Kitchener-Waterloo, we not only remove the rats but also clean affected areas to prevent disease transmission, all while keeping your family safe.

Protect Your Home and Health Today

When it comes to rat-borne diseases, acting quickly and effectively can make all the difference in protecting your home and your loved ones. Rats can spread diseases in ways that might not be immediately obvious, like through contaminated surfaces, food, or even the air we breathe. That’s why it’s so important to focus on prevention and take steps to stop rat disease transmission as soon as you notice any signs of an infestation.

If you’ve heard scurrying noises, discovered droppings, or spotted any other evidence of rats, it’s time to take action. Waiting can lead to bigger problems—not just with property damage, but with the serious health risks that these diseases bring. 

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Kitchener-Waterloo specializes in humane and effective solutions, using unique methods like one-way doors to make sure rats leave your home and don’t come back.

Don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Prevent rat disease transmission and protect your family’s health by getting professional help. Request an estimate from us today and take the first step toward a safe and healthy home. Skedaddle is here to help you take control, handle the issue efficiently, and give you peace of mind.