Of Mice and Men-tal Health

Discovering, or suspecting the presence of a mice infestation in your home can generate a range of human responses, none of which are very conducive for experiencing good mental health. Mice are active all year round, and are one of the most common pests in the UK. This is significant, now more than it has ever been, due to recent national COVID-19 lock down restrictions which mean those that can work from home are encouraged to do so, and social and leisure pursuits outside the home are reduced. The psychological consequences of living in a house infested with mice, in addition to being discouraged to leave the infested house, whilst coping with the realities of a global pandemic are far reaching.

How a Mice Infestations could Affect Your Mental Health

The way we cope with stressful situations is vastly different depending on the individual. Here are some ways in which a mouse infestation may impact on mental health:

• Lack of sleep: the skittering, scratching sounds of mice, and simply the knowledge or suspicion of their very presence in your home can disturb sleep, which negatively impacts physical and mental health.
• Embarrassment: whilst even the cleanest house can become a site for mice infestations, homeowners can feel embarrassed by what neighbours and friends may think.
• Anxiety: without expert help, a mice infestation can be exceedingly difficult to manage. When something is out of our control, we can become anxious and frustrated.
• Phobias: one of the most common specific phobias is the fear of mice and rats, known as Musophobia, Murophobia or Suriphobia. Although a phobia is an, “exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger about a situation or object”, it is easy to understand why mice can worry people so much. Whilst many of us may not have a phobia, we may still have a reasonable aversion to mice, especially as they can pose such a public health risk.
• Compulsion to clean: Mice can spread diseases such as Listeria (Listeria Monocytogenes) and Salmonella. Listeria is a bacterium which can cause fever, aching muscles, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhoea. Salmonella is also a type of bacteria; symptoms include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever and feeling generally under the weather, e.g. fatigue, muscle aches and chills . These diseases are transmitted via mice urine, faeces, and bedding. This can trigger a compulsion to clean which goes far beyond what is necessary.
• The stress of dealing with the problem yourself: mice infestations are difficult to control using amateur-use products. Also, putting poison down for mice can harm children, pets, and other non-target animals which is an additional worry. Avon Pest Control recommend contacting a professional pest control agency, who are expertly trained in mouse control and have access to professional grade Rodenticides which are unavailable to the public.

If mice are adding an extra stressful dimension to your life, and are negatively impacting your mental health, call Avon Pest Control today on 01926 632 929 or 01789 293 463 or click here to visit our website for more information. Our qualified, responsible technicians will happily discuss your pest problem and provide friendly, expert advice.  Let Avon Pest Control help protect your physical and mental health during England’s COVID-19 lock down and beyond.

Live mice captured on black glue traps. A non-toxic natural rodent and pest control remedy.

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