Why clean up and sanitize after rodent infestation?
We all know that rodents can carry a large number of diseases, viruses, and bacteria. Luckily not all the pathogens that mice and rats carry with them are harmful, but some, such as hantavirus, a dreaded virus responsible for serious epidemic infections, can cause death.
Rodents such as mice and rats usually transmit their diseases, viruses, and bacteria through their urine, feces, or saliva, which they leave everywhere they go. A mouse that wanders in your cupboards, on your counters, or elsewhere in your home can therefore easily contaminate your space (coatings, appliances, surfaces, etc.) and your food, forcing you to throw it in the garbage.
The most important step before starting to clean up the areas that were infested with rodents is to ventilate the space by opening the doors and windows for at least 1 hour to allow fresh air to enter the area. Use cross-ventilation and leave the area during the airing-out period.
First Steps
Cleaning begins with the following steps:
- Removal of rat & mice droppings, nest materials, and urine will require the use of protective gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a hat, eye protection, and an N95 or comparable face mask.
- Spray the disinfectant onto the rodent droppings and allow it to soak for at least 5 minutes.
- Use paper towels to remove the rodent droppings and plastic bin bags to dispose of them.
- Once the infested area has been thoroughly cleaned, you should reapply the disinfectant over any other spots that rodents have touched.
- Steam clean any carpets & furniture upholstery that the rats or mice may have access to.
It is highly important for all areas of the house that rodents have crossed to be thoroughly disinfected. You should remove any streaks or prints along the kitchen floor or countertops by scrubbing them away. In addition, any bedding and clothing from affected areas of your London property should be washed with hot water and laundry detergent.
Final Steps
All contaminated and cleaning materials such as cloths, brushes, etc, should be placed in plastic bin bags that can be sealed tightly. Outdoor rubbish bins are preferred for disposing of this type of waste.
When cleaning is complete, clothing must be washed separately from another laundry. When finished, wash hands with soap & water or use an alcohol hand sanitizer.
IMPORTANT NOTE
When removing your protective clothing, be sure to take off protective clothing before removing the HEPA-equipped respirator so there is no respirator contact with any viral or bacterial particles that might remain on the protective clothing. Before removing gloves, spray them with a disinfectant or bleach solution; afterward, wash hands with soap and warm water after the gloves have been completely removed.
Removing rodent droppings
When
removing rat or mouse droppings and related debris should be carefully handled using sturdy, nonabsorbent gloves, paper towels, or cleaning cloths and then placed in heavy-duty bin bags. After rodent droppings, urine, and nesting materials have been removed, disinfect other items or areas that might have been contaminated. After removal of droppings and debris,
Archers Pest Control Team recommends mopping using a disinfectant compound or steam cleaning where there is evidence of rodent exposure.
Do not wipe or hoover rodent droppings or nesting material until they are soaked with a commercial disinfectant or bleach mixture. If this isn’t carefully done, the possible result may be spreading disease-laden particles throughout your London home.