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RODENT SANITATION SERVICES
Why should I be concerned about rodents?
Mice damage property, leave a mess wherever they decide to nest, and are even known to spread diseases such as the hantavirus and salmonella (food poisoning). Hantavirus, though rare, is very serious if you are unlucky enough to catch it. The virus is potentially deadly and can cause hemorrhagic fever and pulmonary illness. Hantaviruses are transmitted through feces and bodily fluids of rodents, particularly saliva and virus particles in aerosols from feces and urine. There is currently no known cure or vaccine for Hantavirus, which has a 36% fatality rate. Luckily, the disease is quite rare, and there are only a few dozen cases of Hantavirus in the United States each year. In addition to contamination by feces and urine, rodents also carry fleas and ticks that can spread diseases like Lyme Disease, Colorado Tick Fever and more. A rodent's teeth never stop growing so they always need to gnaw to prevent their teeth from growing too long. Mice and rats are known to chew through just about anything, and building materials are no exception. Wood, plastic, foam, caulk, vinyl, and even aluminum are no obstacle for a determined mouse. As they say, if there's a will there's a way, and mice are clever and determined little creatures. Once inside mice will damage insulation and can mess with the internals of your house. In fact, mice are known to cause house fires as they are known to chew through wires, which can lead to short circuits. If you see any evidence of rodents in your home, it is important to stop the infestation immediately.
When should I hire a professional to sanitize my house?
When rodents inhabit a structure, they tend to leave behind droppings and other unpleasant surprises. Rodent populations tend to grow rapidly and you may soon find droppings, urine, and even dead mice contaminating the living spaces, wall voids, attic, and basement of your home. As a result of minor and moderate infestations, droppings are often found under sinks, in basements around appliances, and sometimes in garages and attics. Severe infestations will heavily contaminate many surfaces and areas, and may require cleaning and disinfection of the whole home. If an infestation is caught early it is possible, and in fact more economical to sanitize some contaminated surfaces on your own rather than hiring a service. If cleaning up droppings, if vacuuming it is critical to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter will prevent the vacuum from exhausting potential virus particles, bacteria, and other dangerous particulates. The CDC recommends the following precautions before and during clean up of rodent-infested areas:
Before starting clean up of the space, ventilate the space by opening the doors and windows for at least 30 minutes to allow fresh air to enter the area. Use cross-ventilation and leave the area during the airing-out period.
When you begin cleaning, it is important that you do not stir up dust by sweeping or vacuuming up droppings, urine, or nesting materials.
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Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves when cleaning urine and droppings.
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Spray the urine and droppings with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water and let soak 5 minutes. The recommended concentration of bleach solution is 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. When using a commercial disinfectant, following the manufacturer’s instructions on the label for dilution and disinfection time.
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Use a paper towel to pick up the urine and droppings, and dispose of the waste in the garbage.
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After the rodent droppings and urine have been removed, disinfect items that might have been contaminated by rodents or their urine and droppings.
Next, clean and disinfect the whole area
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Mop floors and clean countertops with disinfectant or bleach solution.
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Steam clean or shampoo upholstered furniture and carpets with evidence of rodent exposure.
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Wash any bedding and clothing with laundry detergent in hot water if exposed to rodent urine or droppings.
Lastly, remove gloves, and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water (or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled).
If you are not comfortable cleaning yourself or there is more than a minor amount of droppings or contamination do not hesitate to call in the Masters! At Mice Masters our team is not only trained and specially equipped to eliminate rodents, we are experts in cleanup and decontamination too! We are here to help restore your home to its former glory.
What to expect during our sanitation services
When you call in the Masters, a free sanitation evaluation is typically done in conjunction with the rodent service, or can be scheduled separately. At the evaluation our technicians will explain the procedure and develop a plan of action to help restore your home back to being a healthy and safe place to live and spend time in.
On the day of the sanitation service, our familiar Mice Masters vehicles will arrive equipped and ready to begin the work. Armed with respirators, coveralls, and the best equipment available, our techs are able to safely remove droppings and decontaminate affected areas. After the waste is removed and disposed of, the affected areas are treated with residual disinfectant and deodorizer. Any contaminated insulation, items, and used equipment are disposed of properly and in accordance with CDC guidelines. After the sanitation is complete and your home is back to normal our Mice Masters will recommend a plan to prevent the rodents from coming back and keep your home safe and rodent-free.
