Mice are non-stop chewers, and will stop at nothing to get to food, water or a new place to sleep. In fact, mice can cause damage when they chew through drywall, wood, carpeting and other materials with ease, leaving behind entry holes. Mice are also quite good at destroying electrical wires as they chew through them, leaving your home exposed to possible fire hazards. Additionally, their feces and urine often contain harmful pathogens that can make you ill. In some instances, certain species of mice such as deer mice and white-footed mice carry Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). The hantavirus can be contracted by handling dead mice that have been affected with the disease, as well as by inhaling airborne dust from mouse droppings or residue from mouse urine. While cases of humans contracting the hantavirus are rare, it's important to wear protective gear, such as disposable gloves and a mask with a HEPA filter to avoid breathing in airborne particles if you may be in contact with rodent carriers and their droppings.