Tenant

• Mice can survive outdoors in winter, but are drawn tobuildings for protection and easier food sources.• You can often hear mice because they build nests close tofood, usually in between double walls, above ceilings, underfloors and closed in areas around counters.How do I stop mice from getting into my homeor coming back?• Give your home a thorough cleaning regularly; removecrumbs and food particles.• Store all garbage in containers with tight lids.• Store food in sealed jars or tins as mice can often chewthrough plastic.• Contact Manitoba Housing if you notice any cracks orcrevices open to the outside of your home (eg: unsealeddryer vents, exterior water/gas hook-ups, etc.).• Keep the grass around your home well cut and removedense shrubbery that’s less than three feet (one metre) fromyour home.Is there a risk of getting sick from mice?• Mice (particularly deer mice) can carry the Hantaviruswhich can cause serious illness.• Although reported cases are relatively rare, typical symptomsare flu-like and include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting,muscle aches, diarrhea, abdominal pain and shortness ofbreath. Symptoms can occur any time between three days tosix weeks (usually occurring around 14 days) after exposure.Hantavirus infection without symptoms is rare.• For more information on prevention, go to: manitoba.ca33