How to Clean Up Rat Droppings Safely
To clean up rat droppings safely, wet them with disinfectant first and never sweep or vacuum them dry. Health agencies give the same advice because dry cleaning puts dust in the air, and that dust can carry hantavirus. The steps below suit a small job, and the last section says when to stop.
Steps to clean up rat droppings
Open doors and windows and leave the space for about 30 minutes before starting. Put on rubber, latex or vinyl gloves. Spray the droppings and nests with a household disinfectant or a bleach solution, a common mix being one part bleach to nine parts water, and let them soak. Pick them up with disposable towels, seal them in two plastic bags, and put them in the trash. Disinfect the area again, wash the gloves, then wash your hands.
Why a mask matters in Texas attics
The Texas Department of State Health Services links hantavirus cases to cleaning buildings where rodents live, and advises goggles and an N-95 or HEPA mask if dust will be stirred up. Its July 2015 release counted 45 cases and 15 deaths in Texas since 1993. Old droppings still count, because virus can survive in dust.
When to stop and call a crew
Stop when droppings cover a large area, when they sit in attic insulation, when nests are inside walls, or when there is a dead animal. Insulation holds droppings and urine deep inside, and it is removed, not wiped. The rodent droppings cleanup page explains the crew's steps. A pest firm must seal the entry points before any cleanup.
Clean up rat droppings in a Houston home
Houston Biohazard Pros removes droppings, nests and soiled insulation once the animals are gone. Call any hour.