How to Prevent
Hantavirus

Q: Does Hantavirus spread between people?

For most Hantavirus strains, no. The exception is the Andes strain, which can spread through close person-to-person contact. For every strain, rodent-to-human transmission via droppings, urine, or nesting material remains the primary route, which is why proactive rodent monitoring and control plays a central role in reducing Hantavirus exposure risk at home.

Q: Should I call a pest control professional?

For active infestations or signs of rodent activity in crawl spaces, attics, or HVAC systems, a licensed pest control professional can assess the full scope. Catchmaster products cover monitoring, trapping, and no-contact disposal for home use.

Hantavirus is contracted primarily by breathing in contaminated air after fresh rodent droppings, urine, or nesting material are stirred up.¹ Person-to-person spread has only been documented with the Andes virus, primarily in South America.² It is not known to occur with the hantaviruses found in the United States.³ An effective way to reduce your risk is to reduce rodent activity in and around your home. That’s what we’ve been doing for 70+ years.

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70+ Years of Expertise
Independently Lab-Tested Formula
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Used by the Pros

The Prevention System

A 3-Step System for Reducing
Rodent Activity and Hantavirus
Exposure Risk at Home

There is no vaccine for Hantavirus. A good way to reduce your risk is to reduce rodent activity in and around your home, and to do it before you see signs of a problem.

01

Monitor

You cannot control what you cannot detect. Glue boards placed along walls, behind appliances, and in storage areas give you continuous passive monitoring. The moment a rodent enters your space, you know about it.

Glue boards are a core tool in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). A proactive, science-based approach recommended by pest control professionals across North America.

02

Trap

Once you detect activity, multi-catch traps let you act immediately, capturing multiple rodents without repeated handling, and without putting yourself in contact with droppings or nesting material during the process.

Proactive trapping is a core principle of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The approach used by professional pest control operators across North America.

03

Contain & Dispose

How you remove a trapped rodent matters. The Catch & Toss design keeps you completely away from the animal during disposal, no direct contact, no handling of the trap after use.

When it comes to rodent-borne disease risk, limiting contact during removal is as important as the trapping itself.

Understanding the Risk

How Hantavirus
Actually Spreads

For the hantaviruses found in the United States, the virus is contracted primarily by breathing in airborne particles released when contaminated rodent droppings, urine, or nesting material are disturbed.¹ Common exposure points are cleaning, storage access, or home maintenance in areas with rodent activity.

Person-to-person transmission has only been documented with the Andes virus, the strain linked to the recent cruise ship cluster, and typically requires close, prolonged contact with a symptomatic person.² For every strain, rodent-to-human transmission remains the primary route, which is why proactive rodent management is central to reducing Hantavirus exposure risk.

Common exposure scenarios:

Sweeping or vacuuming mouse droppings without protection
Handling stored items in garages, sheds, or basements where rodents have nested
Opening cabinets or crawl spaces with active or past rodent activity
Working in outbuildings with poor rodent exclusion

The CDC has tracked Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in the Americas since the 1990s. It is endemic in parts of North and South America, carried primarily by deer mice, white-footed mice, and cotton rats.

An effective approach is consistent rodent monitoring and control before activity reaches your living space, not reactive cleaning after the fact.

CDC on Current Risk Level

The global public risk is assessed as LOW. The CDC recommends avoiding exposure to rodents and their urine and feces to help prevent infection.

Source: CDC Hantavirus Information, verified May 2026

Independent Lab Testing

What Happens After
a Rodent Is Trapped

99.9% Of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella bacteria held on the adhesive surface during independent testing by Microconsult Inc.

0 Mold growth detected over an 8-week test period

8 wk Adhesive performance maintained through the full test duration

Lab testing by Microconsult Inc. on Catchmaster glue board formulation. Results apply to Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Aspergillus niger. These results do not constitute a claim regarding Hantavirus.

A trapped rodent is also a contained one. When a rodent makes contact with a Catchmaster glue board, it stays on the surface, along with what it carries on its body.

This is bacterial and mold containment. The board limits further environmental spread of what a rodent carries, reducing the surface area of exposure during and after removal.

This is the science of prevention: systematic, passive, and continuous.

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions

Can I get Hantavirus from mouse droppings in my home?

Yes, Hantavirus can be transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or nesting material. The risk is real, but manageable. The CDC recommends eliminating rodent activity as the primary prevention measure. Avoid sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings without protection. Wet the area with a bleach solution or EPA-registered disinfectant before removal, per CDC guidance.

Does Hantavirus spread between people?

For most Hantavirus strains, no. Person-to-person transmission is not a typical feature of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in North America. The exception is the Andes strain (the variant linked to the recent confirmed cluster), which can spread through close person-to-person contact. For every strain, rodent-to-human transmission via droppings, urine, or nesting material remains the primary route, which is why proactive rodent monitoring and control plays a central role in reducing Hantavirus exposure risk at home.

What are the chances of getting sick from mouse droppings?

The risk depends on whether the rodents in your area carry Hantavirus, how long the droppings have been present, and how much disturbance occurs during cleanup. The CDC classifies the current global public risk as LOW. An effective way to help reduce your personal risk is to limit rodent access to your home and address activity early, before it escalates.

Do all mice carry Hantavirus?

No. In North America, Hantavirus is primarily carried by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), white-footed mice, and cotton rats. Common house mice (Mus musculus) are not considered a primary Hantavirus reservoir. However, because it is difficult to identify a mouse species on sight, treating any rodent activity as a potential health concern is the practical approach.

How do Catchmaster glue boards help with rodent disease risk?

Glue boards provide continuous passive monitoring so you detect activity before it escalates. When a rodent is caught, it stays on the board, helping limit further environmental contact. Glue boards are a core IPM tool trusted by pest control professionals. Catchmaster boards have been independently tested by Microconsult Inc. for 99.9% reduction of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella bacteria held on the adhesive surface, and zero mold growth over 8 weeks.

Should I call a pest control professional?

For active infestations, or signs of rodent activity in crawl spaces, attics, or HVAC systems, a licensed pest control professional can assess the full scope. Catchmaster products are trusted by PCOs across North America and built for both professional and home use. For monitoring and prevention in a home with no active infestation, our lineup covers everything you need.

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70+ years of expertise. Independently lab-tested formula. Trusted by pest control professionals across North America. Monitor, trap, and contain rodent activity, before it becomes a problem.