Maryland Category 7D – Rodent Control Biology, Inspection, And IPM Strategies Practice Exam

Allergic reactions to rodent exposure are a real and important risk for technicians. Rodents shed proteins in their dander, urine, and saliva, and repeated work with infested areas can sensitize workers or trigger allergic responses even if you’re careful. Those exposures can lead to symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, or even asthma. This kind of risk is common in rodent control because it comes from everyday contact with rodent waste and fur, not just from handling the animals themselves. Protective measures—such as using appropriate PPE (masks or respirators, gloves, eye protection), practicing good hygiene, and damp-cleaning droppings to minimize airborne particles—help reduce the allergy risk. While bites, parasites, and disease are also possible risks, allergies are a persistent and sometimes overlooked occupational hazard that technicians must be prepared to manage.