Can Rats Spread Diseases?
Rats are notorious for spreading a wide range of diseases to humans and animals. These rodents transmit pathogens directly through bites, scratches, urine, feces, or saliva, and indirectly by contaminating food, water, and surfaces—or through parasites like fleas, mites, and ticks that live on them. Here is how rats spread diseases and which illnesses are most concerning:
Direct Transmission
Rats can directly infect humans and pets through physical contact or exposure to their waste.
Urine and Feces Contamination: Rat urine and droppings are among the most common sources of disease. They can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and stored goods, allowing pathogens to spread easily. Leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and hantavirus are commonly transmitted this way.
Rat Bites and Scratches: A rat bite or scratch can introduce bacteria directly into the bloodstream. Rat-bite fever—caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus—is a prime example of a disease spread through bites or direct contact with rat saliva.
Aerosolized Droppings: When rat urine or feces dry out, microscopic particles can become airborne and inhaled. This is a major transmission route for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, especially in enclosed spaces like basements, sheds, or attics.
Indirect Transmission (Vector-Borne)
Rats also serve as hosts for parasites that carry disease-causing organisms.
Fleas: The fleas that live on rats can bite humans and spread diseases like the bubonic plague (Yersinia pestis) and murine typhus (Rickettsia typhi).
Mites and Ticks: These external parasites can transmit rickettsialpox and other infections after feeding on infected rats and then biting humans.
Food and Water Contamination
Rats are skilled at sneaking into food storage and preparation areas. As they move through, they leave droppings, urine, and hair that contaminate everything they touch. Pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Leptospira can thrive in these conditions, causing severe gastrointestinal or systemic illness.
Structural and Environmental Impact
Rats gnaw on pipes, insulation, and stored goods, creating conditions where bacteria and mold can flourish. They also nest in walls, crawl spaces, and insulation, leaving behind contaminated materials that pose long-term health risks even after the rats are removed.
What Diseases Do Rats Spread?
Rats are carriers of many pathogens that can cause serious illnesses in humans and pets. They can transmit diseases directly through bites, scratches, saliva, urine, and feces, or indirectly through contaminated food, water, and parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. Here are some of the diseases commonly spread by rats:
Bacterial Diseases
Leptospirosis – Caused by Leptospira bacteria, spread through rat urine. Can lead to kidney and liver damage.
Salmonellosis – From consuming food contaminated with rat feces. Causes severe diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Rat-Bite Fever (RBF) – Caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus. Spread through bites or scratches. Symptoms include fever, rash, and joint pain.
Plague – Caused by Yersinia pestis. Spread by flea bites from infected rats. Can lead to bubonic, septicemic, or pneumonic plague.
Tularemia – Rare bacterial disease that can be transmitted via bites, contact with infected animals, or contaminated water. Causes fever, skin ulcers, and swollen lymph nodes.
Viral Diseases
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) – Spread via inhalation of dried rat urine, droppings, or saliva. Causes severe respiratory illness and can be fatal.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) – Often transmitted through contact with rat urine, feces, or saliva. Can lead to flu-like symptoms and, in rare cases, neurological disease.
Parasitic and Vector-Borne Diseases
Murine Typhus – Caused by Rickettsia typhi, transmitted by fleas that feed on infected rats. Leads to fever, headache, and rash.
Rickettsialpox – Transmitted by mites from rats. Causes fever and skin lesions.
Other Indirect Risks
Contamination of food and surfaces with rat hair, urine, and feces can also introduce opportunistic pathogens causing gastrointestinal infections.
Rats are highly efficient disease vectors because they reproduce quickly, live near humans, and host parasites. Diseases can spread directly (bites, scratches, contact) or indirectly (contaminated food, water, or vectors like fleas). Controlling rat populations and maintaining sanitation are essential for preventing infections.
How To Stop Rats From Spreading Diseases
Stopping the spread of diseases by rats requires a combination of prevention, sanitation, exclusion, and professional control. Here’s how homeowners or business owners can minimize the risks:
Eliminate Food Sources
Rats are attracted to easily accessible food. Removing these sources reduces their presence.
Store all food (including pet food) in airtight containers.
Clean up crumbs, spills, and food debris promptly.
Keep trash in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly.
Avoid leaving birdseed or compost exposed, as these attract rodents.
Maintain Cleanliness
Rats thrive in cluttered and unsanitary environments.
Remove piles of paper, cardboard, or wood, which serve as nesting sites.
Clean attics, basements, garages, and storage areas regularly.
Ensure laundry, yard, and storage areas are organized and dry.
Seal Entry Points
Preventing rats from entering buildings is critical.
Inspect for holes, cracks, or gaps in walls, foundations, doors, windows, and vents.
Use steel wool, metal mesh, or caulk to seal openings; rats can chew through soft materials like rubber or plastic.
Ensure doors and windows close tightly, and install door sweeps if needed.
Reduce Outdoor Attractions
Rats are less likely to hang around if their environment is inhospitable.
Keep grass trimmed and shrubs away from buildings.
Remove fallen fruits or vegetables from gardens.
Keep firewood and debris away from walls.
Eliminate standing water, which can attract rodents and the insects that carry disease.
Safe Waste Management
Keep garbage cans sealed and cleaned regularly.
Avoid leaving compost or pet waste accessible to rodents.
Monitor and Trap
Early detection helps stop infestations before they spread disease.
Set snap traps or electronic traps along walls, in attics, basements, and garages.
Check traps daily and dispose of dead rodents safely—use gloves and double-bag them.
Consider bait stations in high-risk areas, but always follow safety guidelines.
Avoid Direct Contact
Never touch rats, droppings, urine, or nests with bare hands.
Wear gloves, masks, and protective clothing when cleaning areas with rodent activity.
Disinfect areas with a bleach solution or commercial disinfectant after cleanup.
Control Parasites
Rats often carry fleas, ticks, and mites.
Treat pets for fleas regularly.
Consider our professional pest control for flea and tick management if infestations occur.
Professional Rodent Control
Our licensed pest control professionals can identify hidden infestations, properly seal entry points, and use effective trapping and baiting strategies.
Our professionals also ensure safe disposal of rodents and contaminated materials, reducing disease risk.
Stopping disease spread from rats involves a multi-layered approach: reduce food and shelter, seal entry points, maintain cleanliness, monitor for rodents, and enlist our professional help if necessary. Even small preventive steps—like sealing holes and cleaning up food—can drastically reduce risk.