The recent outbreak of typhus in the Los Angeles area has people concerned about the health threats of rodent infestation.  The rodents we’re talking about include mainly rats, mice, and squirrels.  (But the rodentia classification also includes chipmunks, beavers, porcupines, prairie dogs, and even guinea pigs.) For the purposes of this post we’re confining ourselves to the first three we named.

People are wise to be considered about the dangers posed by rodent infestation. In cold weather it’s especially important to be aware of the threats, because as the temps drop, these critters look for a warm and dry place, and they are notorious for being able to squeeze into very small areas.  A crack in a siding or a small pipe might be all they need to gain entrance to your home or office building.  The stereotypical ‘squirrels in the attic’ is so well known because it happens often.

Yes, rodents do bite; they gnaw and can cause physical damage, and they leave a mess, but it’s far worse than that.  As the typhus problem shows, they can also transmit bacterial and viral disease.

It is estimated that over 21 million rodents seek refuge in American homes each winter.

That’s a lot of mouse poop. And it’s those droppings they leave behind that pose the most health problems.  Rodent feces can carry harmful bacteria.  That’s why food inspectors are so fanatical about exterminating rats and mice in food establishments.  But you don’t have to eat food contaminated by rat droppings to be affected.  Once rodent droppings are dry, particles can become airborne, transmitting those bacteria.  This is a particular problem for those who may be allergic to rodent feces.

And it’s not just their droppings that pose a health threat; rodent urine and saliva can also carry viruses and other diseases. Some are transmitted via rodent bite. With typhus, the culprit is a flea that lives on rats’ bodies. It can also be transmitted via feces from a rat infected from bites of contaminated fleas. In total, they (or the fleas and mites that afflict them) are known to carry at least 35 diseases. The most common ones are:

  • Hantavirus – a life-threatening disease that can be transmitted by inhalation as well as physical contact with rodent bodily matter
  • Bubonic plague – Not just a thing of the Middle Ages, bubonic plague (also called ‘black death’) was diagnosed just a few years ago in Colorado
  • Salmonella
  • Rat-bite fever (potentially fatal)

Rodents are attracted to any place where there is sufficient shelter, heat, and food. Hoarder homes and houses occupied by squatters are often sites of rodent infestation, and they care common in homeless encampments.  (It is believed the LA typhus outbreak originated in a homeless camp near city hall, where the infected rats were first detected.) But they can show up just about anywhere.

Rats and mice are not just annoying – they can be a major health threat, not to be taken lightly.  If you suspect you have a rodent problem, we suggest first of all that you contact an exterminator to get rid of the pests. If your property is in our service area in the Pacific Northwest, we may be able to assist you with locating one. The next step is cleanup of feces and other contamination they’ve left behind.

Because of the dangers posed by contact with rodent droppings – or even inhaling dried matter – we urge you to contact a biohazard cleanup service company like ours to safely remove and dispose of the debris, then sanitize your property and return it to a safe condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As much of the Pacific Northwest is being hit with ice, snow, and temps down into the teens in many areas, many people wonder if biohazards like bacteria and germs are still a threat. After all, doesn’t the below-freezing temperature kill those germs?

The simple answer is, “No.”  While it’s true that certain microbes are inactivated by cold temperatures, many have adapted to survive and even thrive in temperatures below 32º.

Many health-threatening microorganisms are capable of existing in severe conditions, so long as they have moisture (which is in abundance right now) and a food source. Others simply go dormant (think hibernation) until the conditions improve. The warmer weather will ‘wake them up’ and they’ll get back to their nasty activity. The food service industry has learned this the hard way. Freezing food doesn’t kill any bacteria that might cause deterioration or food-borne illnesses; it simply delays them until they are reheated.

Even mold can’t be killed by freezing; it just gets temporarily deactivated. And with the moist climate we have, mold is definitely an issue.

Do not assume that cold temperatures equal dead germs.

This winter is somewhat unusual for our area, since we’ve fallen well below the average January and February low of 37º.  Tonight’s forecast is for 19º, with overnight temps below 30º for the rest of the week, so it looks like this cold spell is going to continue for at least a few days.  Even as far south as Portland they are experiencing weather like this.  So while we might expect some reduction of ACTIVE viruses and bacteria that aren’t cold-hardy, many others we deal with will still be around.

And that doesn’t even count the ones indoors that aren’t getting exposed to the below-freezing conditions.

In those cases, this cold weather can actually cause them to proliferate, because many people who would otherwise be outside (and that includes the homeless) are seeking refuge in warmer spots. Others have curtailed their outdoor activities in favor of indoor pursuits. And at this time of year that makes the conditions right for transmission of contagious diseases like the flu.  Just consider what the Seattle area is going through right now with the measles crisis.

So be safe this winter; take the precautions you normally would to avoid being contaminated by biohazards, and if you’ve got concerns, contact your local biohazard remediation company.  Here in the Pacific Northwest, that’s us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A biohazard we’d like to discuss today is a common microbe: mold.  It might surprise many people to think that something that occurs often in homes (think old leftovers, stale bread) is considered a health threat.  But it is. And this time of year it’s especially prevalent. Buildings are closed up tightly and indoor humidity levels often make conditions ideal for mold development.

Mold is something we encounter often when cleaning up squatter and hoarder houses, but it can develop anywhere, even if your housekeeping skills are meticulous.  We want you to be aware first of the health threat mold can pose, as well as ways to limit its development.

The Basics: Mold 101

Mold needs three things to grow: sufficient moisture, heat, and a food source.  Mold thrives on anything organic. That could be the last slice of bread in the bag that got overlooked in a corner of your cupboard to a wool rug in your entryway.

Winter heat sources provide the temperature, and the moisture that gets trapped indoors from showers, humidifiers, and cooking gives it plenty of humidity to flourish.  (It’s more of a problem in the winter because windows and doors are kept closed, meaning there is no ventilation from the outside to dry things out.)

Where did the mold come from? Mold needs somewhere to start, seeds as it were. But in this case it’s spores. These dry mold organisms can be airborne. Or your dog might bring in a few stuck to its coat. Or perhaps you brought it in on your skin when you touched something that was contaminated.  Mold proliferates because those tiny spores are so hard to detect, and they can grow into a major problem before they are even spotted.

Can’t I just wipe it off? Yes, you can, and that will remove the surface mold. But it won’t get rid of what’s below the surface that you can’t see.  And sometimes cleanup efforts will disturb spores and send them airborne, causing them to land somewhere else and grow – or worse, get into your lungs.

Mold Is Toxic for Many People

It’s estimated that about 1 in 5 people has a mold sensitivity or allergy, and the effects run from mild to severe.  Some of the more well-known symptoms include:

  • ‘Brain fog’
  • Headaches, including migraines
  • Hormone imbalances
  • Autoimmune system problems (including things like arthritis)
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory distress
  • Hives and skin rashes
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Hair loss

Mold Remediation Is a Job for a Specialist

Getting rid of mold requires a lot more than spray bleach.  It’s much easier to prevent mold formation than to remove it.

If you’re concerned about mold getting a foothold in your home this winter, the best thing you can do is to keep things dry.  Entryways where wet shoes and boots pile up is one of the most common spots. Synthetic drainage mats are much better solutions than rugs made from natural materials. Seal up any areas where water leaks, and wipe up condensation when it forms on window sills and other areas. And watch the humidity level in your home – don’t run that humidifier more than necessary, and keep the bath fan running for awhile after your shower.  (When the mirror has no condensation, you can probably turn it off.)

If your property shows signs of mold development, it’s best to contact a biohazard cleanup company like ours to take over.  DIY cleanup efforts can often make things worse, not better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MedTech Cleaners provides biohazard and trauma cleanup services in the greater Seattle and Spokane areas, including surrounding communities in the Pacific Northwest. Who are we and what exactly do we do?

You could click through the pages on our website to find out more, but we thought it might be easier to give you an overview of our company and our services in this short video.

If you’ve got questions or a need we can help with, please contact us. We’re available by phone 24/7, each and every day of the year. You can call us at
1-877-652-9984, or use our online contact form.

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