Every homeowner has had to deal with pest infestations at some point in their lives. Mice are easily one of the most common pests faced by homeowners. We all dread seeing the familiar small droppings of mice lying around on the floor. Even though these pests might appear to be harmless, mice and their droppings carry many diseases that are dangerous to humans. It’s why you shouldn’t sweep the droppings out of the way and be done with it.
That brings us to the question, “What to do when you find mouse droppings in your home?” The trick is to dispose of the droppings safely without further contaminating your home and putting yourself in danger.
Read on to discover the steps you need to follow for cleaning mouse droppings safely!
Diseases Spread by Mouse Droppings
You should observe caution when cleaning mice droppings as they carry many diseases, such as Hantavirus that can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a respiratory illness caused by stirring up and breathing in dust contaminated by rodents’ feces. You can get salmonellosis if you eat or drink something contaminated by their feces. If a cut on your skin comes into contact with mice droppings, you can get a neurological disease known as lymphocytic choriomeningitis. It’s why you should be extra careful when handling mice droppings and urine. Avoid touching your mouth, ears, and nose, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after you’re done cleaning.
What to Do When You Find Mouse Droppings in Your Home
If you find small, narrow pellets of poop shaped like rice in your home, you likely have mice pooping around your place of living. In such an instance, you need to follow these steps to get rid of the poop safely and prevent illness:
Air the Space
Ventilate the area by allowing fresh air to enter the premises for about half an hour to eliminate the possibly contaminated particles in the air. Use cross-ventilation and remove yourself from the area while ventilating it.
Wear Protective Clothing and Gloves
Don’t touch the mouse or rate droppings with bare hands. Make sure to wear a long-sleeved shirt, protective latex, rubber, or vinyl gloves, safety goggles, and a mask to keep yourself safe from contamination.
Spray the Contaminated Surface with a Disinfectant
Next, you will need to disinfect the droppings and the surface below them. The most effective way to do that is to use a bleach-based or household disinfectant made of bleach and water. The ideal concentration of the homemade solution should be 1 part bleach and 10 parts water. Spray the disinfectant and let your droppings soak it in for five minutes. If you’re using a commercial disinfectant, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the label.
Clean up the Droppings
After the required time, start cleaning the droppings and disinfecting the area. When cleaning the mice droppings, don’t stir dust by vacuuming or sweeping them up. Instead, use a paper towel to pick up the droppings and dispose of them in a covered trash can. Then, spray the surface they were on to disinfect it. Wipe it down with a clean cloth.
Disinfect the Area
You will need to disinfect and clean the entire area. If the droppings were on the floor or countertop, disinfect them with the bleach solution and mop them. For soiled upholstered furniture and carpets, get them steam cleaned and shampooed. Lastly, wash all clothing and bedding exposed to rodent urine or droppings with laundry detergent in hot water.
Wash Your Hands
After you’re done cleaning, don’t forget to wash your gloved hands with soap and warm water for at least a minute. Then, remove your gloves and mask and dispose of them properly. Wash your hands and clothes thoroughly with warm water and soap. You can also use a waterless, alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you don’t have access to soap and your hands aren’t visibly soiled.
Get Rid of the Mice
After you have cleaned the droppings, you need to get rid of the mice infestation to prevent diseases in your home. Here’s what you can do:
Seal up All Holes and Gaps
Repair, fill, and caulk any gaps and holes you might find around the house with steel wool and an effective sealant to keep the mice and other pests out of your home. Watch out for dime-sized holes and cracks around vents, pipes, and fireplaces, as mice can easily find their way through them and into your home.
Remove All Food and Shelter Sources
Mice enter your home seeking food and shelter. If you want to avoid a mice infestation, make sure to remove these things from their pathway. Wipe up all spills and put leftovers right away. Store seeds, pet food, and other dry foods in premium-quality, lidded containers. Reduce clutter inside your home and take out the trash regularly. Replace old cardboard boxes with storage boxes stocked off the floor. Clean up debris outside your home and store compost heaps and firewood away from your main house.
Set Humane Traps
Try setting up human traps to catch the mice and then release them somewhere far away from your home. You can attract them with yummy treats, such as cheese and peanut butter. Ensure to release them in an inhabited area and don’t touch them to avoid contracting diseases.
Use Essential Oils
The strong smell of essential oils, such as clove oil and peppermint oil, repels mice. Saturate cotton balls with these oils and put them in spaces that attract mice, such as your house’s entryway, cupboards, and drawers. This method can certainly work in conjunction with other methods to eliminate the mice.
If you’re facing a severe mice infestation in your home, it’s best to call a professional pest control company, such as Ants Plus Pest Control. We have the expertise needed to remove the mice and protect your home from future infestations. Reach out to us today!