Can You Clean Mouse Droppings Yourself?

Are you dealing with a mouse infestation and wondering if you can clean the droppings yourself? Or maybe you’ve recently had an extermination completed and are wondering how to handle the aftermath? Mice are among the most common pests in Edmonton homes year-round. But when the exterminator leaves, the question of how to deal with the remaining pest waste often arises. 

Below, let’s dive into the must-knows about biohazard cleaning in Edmonton. Read on with us here at Grimebusters. 
The Risks of Mouse Waste
Not all hazards come with bright red warning signs, like poison ivy or cracked ice. Unfortunately, what many homeowners fail to realize is that mouse droppings are among the most common yet dangerous pest biohazards. 

The greatest exposure risk isn’t just from the presence of the mice droppings. It also often occurs when droppings are disturbed during pick up and disposal. Attempting to clean these waste remnants can, in turn, release these contaminants into the air, onto surrounding surfaces, and into your respiratory tract. 

Some of the risks can include:
Hantavirus
Salmonella 
Leptospirosis
Other rodent-borne pathogens
Why Can’t I Clean Mouse Droppings Myself?
While anyone can strap on a pair of rubber gloves and clean droppings left from mice, it’s not recommended. Picking up, sweeping, or vacuuming can disturb and release particles into the air. Once airborne, these particles are free to circulate throughout different areas of the home. 

To avoid exposure to rodent-borne pathogens, specialized remediation tools and equipment are required. Aside from the costs of renting or buying your own protective equipment and tools, expertise is also necessary to ensure the home has been fully remediated. Mice are tiny and can leave waste in holes and crevices that can be near-impossible to notice at first glance. 
Other Contaminents Mice Leave Behind
Even more, visible mouse droppings are only part of the story. Mice also leave behind additional contaminants that pose significant harm long past extermination. Urine trails and oily footprints aren’t always the easiest to identify, but they can also heavily contaminate surfaces. For these remains, surface cleaning isn’t as effective—and also risks exposure to ammonia-like odours, bacteria, and pathogens. 

Nesting, on the other hand, can be made of a wide range of items commonly found throughout the home. Mice aren’t picky about nesting and can use cardboard, paper, old clothes, insulation, dryer lint, or other materials to build their nests. These nests can also be challenging to spot, as mice tend to build them in dark, quiet, out-of-the-way areas of the home. Some common spots include attics, crawl spaces, and behind cupboards. 
So, What Can I Do Instead?
If you discover droppings, urine, nesting, or any other signs of mice in your home, you may have a rodent infestation. Call in an exterminator, and they’ll visit your home for a thorough inspection. If they determine you have an infestation, they can exterminate your home to ensure that the pests themselves are fully eradicated. 

Once the extermination is fully completed, call in a biohazard cleaning Edmonton professional. Your biohazard cleaning expert will use commercial-grade equipment, such as HEPA filters and specialized disinfectants, to not only clean the space but also ensure no mouse fecal matter remains. They’ll be able to fully remediate the aftermath of the infestation, and ensure the space is safe and habitable once again. 
After the Exterminators Leave, Call Grimebusters
Looking to evict your home’s unwelcomed tenants? At Grimebusters, we take our name seriously. Family-owned and operated for over 35 years, we’ve supported Edmonton families and businesses with comprehensive home remediation services. Reach out to us today to learn more about our biohazard cleaning Edmonton services—and get one step closer to a home that’s clean, comfortable, and safe.