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Home Inspector San Diego – The San Diego Real Estate Inspection Company

Posts Tagged ‘Hantavirus’

Rats like your house as much as you do

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

Rats are cute, but they can carry disease and damage your house

Rats are a fact of life in San Diego County. They are found everywhere from downtown and rural areas, to poor and rich neighborhoods alike. But you should not put up with rats living in your attic. Rats

rat chewing wires

can carry disease, and you do not have to come in contact with them to be affected. Hantavirus can be contracted by breathing in dust contaminated by rodent feces. Other diseases can be spread from bites, or fleas that bite the rats and then bite you. Rats can also chew through the insulation on wires causing a fire hazard. They nest in heating ducts, in your walls, and even in your cupboards.

When you are buying a house, you need to be aware that a traditional “pest inspection” does not report on rodent infestation. The inspection performed during a transaction is called a WDO or Wood Destroying Organism inspection. They inspect for termites, carpenter ants, dry rot, fungus – anything that will destroy wood. Rats and mice are not included as a Wood Destroying Organism.

Your home inspector is also not responsible for reporting on rodent infestation. Most home inspectors are not licensed pest inspectors. Pest inspectors are required to be licensed by the State of California. In the interest of your health and safety, if we see evidence of rodent infestation we will recommend additional investigation which we feel is in your best interest. So if we observe piles of poop, strong urine odor, or numerous traps in your attic, we’ll let you know.

San Diego County Vector Control is responsible for controlling any source of disease that can be transmitted by animals or insects. This includes rats, mice, mosquitos, etc. They have put together this video which illustrates how rats affect a house, and what you can do about it. To keep rats out of your home, follow these steps. You may even be able to get a free inspection.

If you have a heavy infestation you may have to have your attic sanitized. This can be costly. All of the insulation has to be removed if it is saturated with urine and feces, all of the waste must be carefully removed, and insulation must then be replaced. If you are concerned about a rodent infestation, you may need an additional inspection from an exterminator.

About the author: Philippe Heller is the president of The San Diego Real Estate Inspection Co, one of the largest private home inspection companies in San Diego. Their team of home inspectors have your health and safety at the top of their list when performing an inspection. Visit their website today to see how they use the latest technology to perform the best inspections available.

Tags: Hantavirus, Mice, Rats, Rodents
Posted in Health and Safety | No Comments »

2 Mice Test Positive for Hantavirus in North County

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Use Caution When Cleaning Rodent Droppings

According to San Diego County Vector Control, two mice have tested positive for Hantavirus. One wild mouse was trapped in Rancho Santa Fe, the other was trapped in Rancho Bernardo. This is in addition to mice that have tested positive all over San Diego County including Otay Lakes, Bonsall, Carlsbad, Penasquitos, Escondido, Valley Center, Harmony Grove, Santa Ysabel, and Tierrasanta among others.

“It is important to keep mice out of houses, garages and sheds to prevent infection,” said Gary Erbeck, Director of the County Department of Environmental Health. “People contract hantavirus by inhaling it, often when they are cleaning up rodent droppings and nesting materials. Use wet cleaning methods to prevent inhaling the virus.”

Vector Control randomly samples wild mice to determine the extent of the virus, which is carried by wild rodents, primarily deer mice. The virus is found in rodent droppings and urine and can be inhaled by humans when it becomes airborne. The airborne virus can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which can begin with symptoms similar to the flu, but in rare cases, can lead to severe breathing difficulties and even death. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for hantavirus.

To avoid exposure: eliminate rodent infestations immediately; avoid rodent-infested areas; do not stir up dust or materials that may be contaminated with rodent droppings or urine; and clean up rodent droppings and urine using the wet cleaning method below.

Do not sweep or vacuum infested areas. Ventilate affected area by opening doors and windows for several hours.
Use rubber gloves. Spray a 10 percent bleach solution (2 tablespoons bleach to 1 cup water) onto dead rodents, rodent droppings, nests, contaminated traps, and surrounding areas. Let the disinfectant stand for at least 15 minutes before cleaning with a sponge or mop.
Place disinfected rodents and debris into two plastic bags, seal them and discard in the trash.
Wash gloves in a bleach solution, then soap and water, and dispose of them using the same double-bag method.
Thoroughly wash your bare hands with soap and water.

For more information, contact the County Department of Environmental Health at (858) 694-2888 or visit www.sdvector.com.

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Philippe Heller
The San Diego Real Estate Inspection Co.
www.sdinspections.com

Tags: Hantavirus, Rodents
Posted in Health and Safety | No Comments »