Cleaning up after Rodents

Guide to Cleaning up after Rodent infestations

Hantavirus Disease is the most serious disease transmitted by a rodent. Deer Mice are common in our area.

Take precautions before and during clean up of rodent-infested areas.

 First, clean up any urine and droppings. Next, clean and disinfect the whole area.

We recommend following step by step instructions by the Centers for Disease Control CDC.

Before cleaning,  trap the rodents and seal up any entryways to ensure that no rodents can get in. Continue trapping for a week. If no rodents are captured, the active infestation has been eliminated and enough time has passed so that any infectious virus in the rodent’s urine/droppings or nesting material is no longer infectious.

Before starting clean up of the space, ventilate the space by opening the doors and windows for at least 30 minutes to allow fresh air to enter the area. Use cross-ventilation and leave the area during the airing-out period.

First, clean up any urine and droppings

When you begin cleaning, it is important that you do not stir up dust by sweeping or vacuuming up droppings, urine, or nesting materials.

• Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves when cleaning urine and droppings.
• Spray the urine and droppings with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water and let soak 5 minutes. The recommended concentration of bleach solution is 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. When using a commercial disinfectant, following the manufacturer’s instructions on the label for dilution and disinfection time.
• Use a paper towel to pick up the urine and droppings, and dispose of the waste in the garbage.
• After the rodent droppings and urine have been removed, disinfect items that might have been contaminated by rodents or their urine and droppings.

Next, clean and disinfect the whole area

• Mop floors and clean countertops with disinfectant or bleach solution.
• Steam clean or shampoo upholstered furniture and carpets with evidence of rodent exposure.
• Wash any bedding and clothing with laundry detergent in hot water if exposed to rodent urine or droppings.
• Lastly, remove gloves, and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water (or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled).

Dead Rodents or Nests

• Always Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves when cleaning up dead rodents or nests.
• Spray the dead rodent or nest and the surrounding area with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water. [ 1 part bleach to 10 parts water ]
• Soak rodent, nesting materials or droppings in solution for 5 minutes before wiping up with a paper towel or rag.
• Place the dead rodent or nesting materials in a plastic bag and seal tightly. Place the full bag in a second plastic bag and seal.
• Throw the bag into a covered trash can that is regularly emptied.
• Remove gloves, and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water (or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled).

Find more tips for Cleaning up after rodents at the CDC 

• Cabins, Sheds, Barns, or Other Outbuildings
• Attics, Basements, Crawlspaces, and Other Storage Areas
• Cleaning and Disinfection of Vehicles with Rodent Infestations
• Heavy Rodent Infestation
• Air Ducts

For Professional Rodent Inspection, baiting, monitoring or traps contact us here for our Rodent Control Service