Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus, or LCMV, can cause several types of meningitis, particularly in pregnant women. This may cause birth defects and/or mental retardation. About 5% of all mice carry LCMV. In addition to the neurological symptoms common to meningitis, LCMV may cause other symptoms: fever, malaise, lack of appetite, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, and others less common.

For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Prevent LCMV from wild rodents:

Seal Up

• Seal up gaps around roofing, attic spaces, windows and doors.
• Examine the outside of your house for gaps between the foundation and the ground.
• Inspect for gaps under the sink and locations where water pipes come into your home.
• Check around vents and air conditioners for holes.
• Seal any gaps or holes with steel wool, lath metal or caulk.

How to Use Snap Traps

• Fix gaps in trailer skirting
• Select an appropriate trap - some are for mice and some are for rats.
• Read the instructions on the box before setting the snap trap. Set away from children and pets.
• Place chunky peanut butter the size of a pea on the bait pan on the snap trap.
• Position the bait end of the trap next to the wall so it forms a “T” with the wall.
• Place snap traps in areas where you have seen rodents, nesting materials, urine or droppings.

Clean Up

• Wear rubber or plastic gloves when handling dead rodents or rodent droppings.
• Spray dead rodent, urine or droppings with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water.
• Soak rodent, nesting materials or droppings in solution for five minutes before wiping up with paper towel or
• rag as appropriate.
• Place the paper towel and rodent with trap or nesting material in a plastic bag and seal it.
• Place the full bag in a second plastic bag and seal it.
• Mop or sponge the area with a disinfectant or bleach solution.
• Wash hands with soap and water after taking off your gloves (or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled).

• Clean up rodent food sources and nesting sites

• Place human and pet food in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids.
• Wash dishes and cooking utensils soon after use.
• Put pet food away in rodent-proof containers after use. Do not leave pet -food or water bowls out overnight.
• Place garbage in thick plastic or metal can with a tight lid.
• Move woodpiles and composting bins more than 100 feet from the home.
• Trim grass and shrubbery within 100 feet of the home.