Finding mouse droppings in your home can be alarming. However, there are steps you can take to clean them up safely and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Assess the Situation
When you encounter mouse droppings, the first step is to assess the extent of the problem. Look around to see if you can identify where the mice are entering your home and where they have been active. Signs include:
- Droppings in cupboards, closets, attics, basements, and other undisturbed areas
- Nesting materials made from shredded paper, fabrics, or insulation
- Gnaw marks along baseboards, doors, pipes, and electrical wires
- Greasy smears along walls and rafters from rodent fur
Try to determine if the droppings are old or new. Old droppings will be hard and dry, while new ones are soft, shiny, and moist. Recent activity means you likely still have active mice infesting the area that need to be removed.
Protect Yourself
Before cleaning, it is important to protect yourself from diseases mice can spread, including hantavirus, salmonella, and Lyme disease. When cleaning:
- Open windows and use fans to ventilate the area you are cleaning.
- Wear gloves, a mask, goggles, and coveralls or old clothes that can be thrown away.
- Do not stir up dust by sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings. Dampen the area first.
- Work for limited periods of time and take breaks to avoid inhaling dust.
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water afterward. Discard gloves and wash any clothes worn during the cleaning.
Cleaning Mouse Droppings
Here are the proper steps for cleaning up mouse droppings safely:
- Prepare cleaning supplies – You will need disposable gloves, trash bags, paper towels, disinfectant, spray bottles, and scrub brushes.
- Dampen the area – Lightly mist droppings and surrounding area with water. This prevents dust and contaminants from becoming airborne when cleaning.
- Pick up droppings – Use a paper towel to pick up each dropping and place it in the trash bag.
- Clean the area – Scrub the area with soap and water, changing out paper towels frequently. Rinse thoroughly.
- Disinfect – Spray or wipe disinfectant over the area and let it soak per product instructions.
- Dry the area – Use clean paper towels to absorb remaining moisture once disinfectant has dried.
- Seal and discard waste – Seal used paper towels and gloves in a trash bag and discard. Take trash bags directly outside.
- Wash hands – Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot water when finished.
For carpets or rugs, spot clean any droppings or soiled areas with disinfectant or an enzyme-based pet stain remover. Steam cleaning may also help sanitize carpets.
Prevent Mice from Returning
The key to keeping mice out of your home is excluding them by sealing up entry points. Check inside and outside your home for holes and gaps where mice can enter, especially:
- Around pipes, vents, wiring holes
- Between floor and wall junctions
- Inside cupboards and closets
- Around the base of doors
- Attic vents, fans, and openings
Use wire mesh, caulk, concrete, metal kick plates, or other durable materials to seal openings 1/4 inch or wider. Trim back bushes, trees, and vegetation touching the home. Install door sweeps on exterior doors. Traps can also be used strategically to remove mice after sealing entry points.
Remove Contaminated Food
Mice can contaminate or eat through packaged foods in your pantry. Check for damaged packaging or gnaw marks on food. Discard anything that may have been exposed to mice or their droppings, including:
- Opened boxes and bags of grains, cereals, pasta, etc.
- Produce stored in bins or cardboard boxes
- Canned goods with gnaw marks
- Bottles or jars with torn packaging
- Pet food bags
Wipe down shelves inside cabinets and drawers. Consider storing food in airtight glass, metal, or plastic containers to prevent future contamination.
When to Call a Professional
In some cases, it may be wise to have a pest control professional inspect and treat your home for a mouse problem. This is recommended if:
- There are extensive droppings indicating a severe infestation.
- Mice continue returning despite your exclusion efforts.
- You are unable to identify or reach entry points in your home.
- Someone in the household is at high risk for diseases from rodents.
Professionals have specialized tools and chemicals to traps, sanitize, and prevent future mouse infestations. They can also provide advice tailored to your specific situation.
Diseases from Mouse Droppings
Mice can potentially transmit a number of illnesses to humans directly through contamination of food or surfaces, or through bites. Diseases spread by mice include:
| Disease | Cause | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Hantavirus | Virus shed in urine, droppings, saliva | Fever, muscle aches, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Salmonellosis | Salmonella bacteria in droppings | Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps |
| Leptospirosis | Leptospira bacteria in urine | Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain |
| Rat-bite fever | Transmitted by bites | Fever, rash, muscle pain, vomiting |
| Lyme disease | Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria in droppings | Rash, fever, joint pain |
Certain groups are at higher risk for these illnesses, including the elderly, pregnant women, young children, and those with compromised immune systems. See a doctor if you develop concerning symptoms after cleaning mouse droppings.
Long-Term Rodent Control
To keep mice out for good:
- Use traps and limit food sources to capture stray mice inside.
- Seal exterior holes and entry points.
- Keep vegetation trimmed back and clear clutter away from home.
- Store food in chew-proof containers.
- Clean up crumbs and spills immediately.
- Take trash out frequently.
With diligence in exclusion and hygiene, you can successfully get rid of mice and their droppings. Stay vigilant for any recurring signs of infestation. Being proactive will help keep your home free of mice and the health dangers they represent.
Conclusion
Discovering mouse droppings in your home can be unsettling, but there are steps you can take to remove them safely. Always exercise caution by wearing protective gear to avoid disease exposure when cleaning. After removing droppings, be sure to sanitize the area, seal up entry points in your home, and discard any food the mice may have contaminated. Practicing good sanitation habits will make your home less inviting to mice in the future. With the right precautions, you can thoroughly clean up after mice and prevent future infestations.