Mice Population and Hantavirus
San Juan Basin Health Department and La Plata County Building Department are observing an abundance of mice in many parts of the county. This could be due in part to bountiful summer food supply and deep snow last winter creating a friendly habitat for mice. Residents are advised that mouse infestations and droppings can lead to hantavirus, a serious illness with a high fatality rate. While no cases of Hantavirus have been confirmed in Southwest Colorado, there have been four cases of Hantavirus reported in Colorado this season. Two were fatal.
San Juan Basin Health Department and the La Plata County Building Department want to remind community members that mice and rodent control is an important personal and public safety practice. This becomes even more crucial as fall approaches and mice may be looking for a winter home.
- Proper Sanitation - A clean uncluttered home will make it hard for mice to find hiding places and food. Actually, mice can live on crumbs! Keep food and garbage in mouse-proof containers (metal or heavy-duty plastic with tight fitting lids), or in mouse-proof cabinets (including the refrigerator).
- Mouse-Proofing - Don't let mice get in! Seal all openings - like cracks and spaces around vents, wires and pipes - with sheet metal, concrete or a product like "Stuf-fit" which is a knitted copper wire mesh. Screen necessary openings, like fans and chimneys with 1/4" wire mesh. Doors and windows should be screened with tight-fitting metal screens. Seal or cover all openings, since mice can jump 12" high, run up the sides of buildings and cross cables and wires.
- Removing Mice - Get rid of the mice you already have! Trapping is effective, and generally safer than using poison. Also, poisoned mice often die in hard-to-reach places causing a very unpleasant odor. When cleaning up any dead rodents or their droppings, be sure to:
- Wear rubber gloves
- Make a disinfectant by mixing 1 ½ cups of bleach for each gallon of water. You may also use a general household cleaner as long as the word “Disinfectant” appears on the label.
- Using a spray bottle of disinfectant, thoroughly spray dead rodents, traps, droppings and the areas where you found them.
- Do not sweep or vacuum mouse droppings in your home. Sweeping or vacuuming might put dust containing viruses into the air. Wet the affected area with disinfectant then wipe up with a paper towel.
- Place the sprayed rodent and/or droppings in a plastic bag and seal it. Then place the bag into a second bag, seal and dispose of with the trash.
- Cats may help, but are not a fool-proof method, of reducing mice. Often excess cat (pet) food can attract mice.
- Wear rubber gloves
For Guidance on Prevention and Clean Up, click here. For additional assistance or a brochure, please call the Health Department at 335-2052 or La Plata County at 382-6250 regarding mouse-proofing your home or buildings. You can also visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Residents are urged to maintain: