AboutStephen Vantassel Expertise I can assist the public in responding to all kinds of wildlife related problems in the United States and Canada, including birds, mice, rats, skunks, raccoons, beavers, opossums, voles, moles, chipmunks, woodchucks, pocket gophers, and more. My passion is wildlife damage identification, for if you don't know what animal is causing the problem, you can't begin to resolve it responsibly.
Experience I was a full time animal damage controller for over 5 years and a part-time animal damage controller for over 10. I have been a volunteer for AllExperts.com for over 5 years under the Pest Control Category, when they graciously created a new category that better suited my experience (I don't answer bug questions). I was a licensed animal controller in both Massachusetts, Connecticut and Nebraska. I presently run the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, http://icwdm.org.
Organizations National Wildlife Control Operators Association, Community Integrated Pest Management group at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Publications I have published two books (both revised), The Wildlife Removal Handbook rev. ed. and the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook rev. ed. Additionally, I have written articles which have appeared in Wildlife Control Technology Magazine, Fur-Fish & Game, The Trapper, The Fur Taker, The Probe, and others. I have co-authored wildlife related publications for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension program and was responsible for revising the handbook designed for the Pest Controllers looking to obtain their category 14 license.
Education/Credentials I was a trapper education instructor for the state of Massachusetts, and have attended a variety of conferences and trainings.
Awards and Honors Certified Wildlife Control Operator
Expert: Stephen Vantassel Date: 12/19/2007 Subject: House Mouse question
Question I have a quick question about a house mouse. because it is winter, and mice are looking to get warm, my mom and I found a mouse in our house. since I don't want posion where my dog is, I bought a live trap.
I trapped one mouse and released him with no problems.
the second mouse was released, but was dying or dead. (I don't know if it was the stress, posion in the basement, or the fact that he may have been in there for over 24 hours... I checked the trap before and it didn't look like it had been triggered till my mom heard squeeking this morning and I heard it this evening.
My question is, should I be worried that I got urine on my hands?
At first the trap felt as if it were empty, so I thought maybe it was just the bleach my brother had washed the floor with before I put the trap down, but when I sniffed it a little, it smelled like my hamster's pee.
I washed my hands immediately, used antibacterial soap, washed with hand sanitizer and washed my hands again, then I took the trap outside using a pair of gloves, let the mouse go only to find it was dying, went inside, washed the floor down in that area again, and then again washed my hands.
I read online that there are many deadly diseases that are airborne and carried in mouse urine. Should I be worried that I got some on my hand even though I washed it? Should I be worried that I handled the first trap without gloves? And should I be using live traps, or is it safer to just kill them with posion?
Answer Sorry to hear that you released the mouse. I would strongly suggest that you kill the mice. Snap traps will kill the mice and allow you to avoid using poison. The downside of poison is you never know where the mice will die.
House mice are an invasive species. Second relocation while making you feel good actually can be quite cruel. Visit http://www.icwdm.org/wildlife/euthanasia/relocation.asp to learn why.
As for the urine. tough call. I am not a doctor. Certainly you were wise to wash your hands afterward and don gloves to prevent a re-exposure. Yes, there are disease contractable from mouse urine. But remember, your house already has mouse urine that you didn't see. House mice being trapped in the living space of a home is a late sign. You probably have plenty of mice in the walls that you don't see.
I can say that the odds of you getting sick are mighty low since you washed up and assuming you are presently in good health The problem is saying that is like talking about the chances of a winning lottery ticket. Sure your ticket will probably not win. but it might. Thus I would have to refer you to the doctor. If you decide not to consult a doctor just watch your health for the next few weeks. If you develop flu-like symptoms be sure to tell your doctor your experience with mice. He won't be thinking about hanta-virus or other diseases. Letting him know will allow him to perform tests to rule those diseases out.
You need to aggressively control the mice in your home. Visit http://www.icwdm.org/handbook/rodents/HouseMice.asp and related links to learn how. Failure to act quickly will just increase the damage to your home and raise more potential health problems.
