Rat Diseases (Virginia) — Risks, Cleanup, and Prevention

rat diseases in virginia - picture of rats in an attic

Call (804) 729-0046 or toll-free (888) 824-7383

Rats (and other rodents like mice) can carry germs that may spread illness through droppings, urine, saliva, nesting material, contaminated surfaces, and bites. The good news is that even clean homes can have rodent problems, and there are clear steps you can take to reduce risk.

If you need professional help, we provide statewide rat control in Virginia using an integrated approach: inspection → trapping and/or rodenticide bait stations → exclusion (sealing entry points) → prevention.

How Rat and Mouse Diseases Spread

Rodent-related illness risk typically comes from:

  • Touching rodent droppings, urine, or nesting material
  • Breathing in dust contaminated by rodent waste (especially during cleanup)
  • Rodent bites or scratches
  • Contaminated food or surfaces
  • Fleas, ticks, and mites that have fed on infected rodents

Common Diseases Linked to Rats and Mice

Below are examples of illnesses associated with rodents or rodent-contaminated environments. This is not a complete list, and risk varies by location and exposure type.

Hantavirus (rodent exposure)

People can get hantavirus from contact with infected rodents, especially exposure to urine, droppings, and saliva.

Leptospirosis (bacteria)

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can affect people and animals and is often associated with contaminated water or animal urine exposure (including rodents).

Rat-bite fever

Rat-bite fever can spread through scratches, bites, contact with rodent saliva/urine, or contaminated materials (like bedding/cages).

Salmonellosis (food contamination)

Rodents can contaminate food and surfaces. Salmonella is one of the common foodborne illnesses associated with contaminated food environments.

Safe Cleanup After Rodents (CDC Guidance)

Cleaning rodent droppings the wrong way can increase exposure risk. The CDC recommends wet cleaning (not sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings).

Quick CDC cleanup steps

  • Put on rubber or plastic gloves
  • Spray urine/droppings with a bleach solution or EPA-registered disinfectant until very wet
  • Let it soak (CDC notes 5 minutes or per label directions)
  • Wipe with paper towels and dispose properly

If contamination is heavy in an attic or crawlspace, you may also need attic insulation removal and replacement after the rodent problem is solved.

The Best Way to Reduce Risk: Control the Rodents

The most effective way to reduce rodent-related disease risk is to:

  1. Remove the existing rodents
  2. Seal entry points so new rodents can’t replace them
  3. Reduce attractants (food, water, harborage)

For active infestations, start with rat control in Virginia or mouse control in Virginia.

Our Virginia Rat Control Process (What Works)

1) Inspection and identification

We locate activity areas, entry points, nesting zones, and food sources.

2) Population reduction (trapping and/or rodenticide)

Depending on pressure level and property type, we may use:

  • Professional trapping and monitoring
  • Rodenticide in tamper-resistant bait stations (common for exterior pressure and commercial sites)

3) Rodent exclusion (rat-proofing)

We seal entry points using rodent-resistant materials and repair vulnerable areas. In many cases, this is part of a larger animal exclusion service plan.

4) Sanitation and prevention guidance

We help reduce attractants so rodents stop returning.

FAQ: Rat Diseases and Rat Control

Can rats and mice make you sick?

Yes. Rodents can spread illness through droppings, urine, saliva, bites, and contaminated dust and surfaces.

Should I vacuum rat droppings?

No. CDC recommends wetting droppings with disinfectant/bleach solution and wiping them up—avoid dry sweeping/vacuuming.

What’s the safest way to get rid of rats?

A complete plan works best: remove the active rats, seal entry points, and reduce attractants (“Trap Up, Seal Up, Clean Up”). For active problems, see our Rat Control page.

Do you use rodenticide?

Yes—when appropriate—using tamper-resistant bait stations and a structured plan.

Do you provide rat control statewide in Virginia?

Yes. We provide rodent control services statewide across Virginia.

Service Area: Statewide Virginia

We provide service across the Central Virginia, Northern Virginia, Tidewater / Hampton Roads, and the Shenandoah Valley / Southwest Virginia regions.

For the full list of the cities, counties and towns where we provide service, visit:

If you don’t see your city listed, contact us—we often serve nearby areas and can confirm availability quickly.

Contact Us for Rat Control in Virginia

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Call (804) 729-0046 or toll-free (888) 824-7383