Few things in our homes are more alarming than finding out we’ve been sharing the space under our roofs with creeping, crawling critters. And, of the things that could be inhabiting our homes with us, rodents may be of the most concern. Keep reading for a bit of information on how to clean up and keep your family safe before your rat exterminator arrives on site.
Start with the droppings.
There’s no easy way to clean up rodent excrement. Animal droppings of any kind are a threat to your family, and rodent droppings, especially, harbor bacteria that can contaminate everything from the food you eat to the air you breathe. Grab a pair of safety gloves and a trash bag. Ideally, you’ll also have a small handheld broom and dustpan (get these at the dollar store because you will throw them away after cleaning) and sweep up any excrement. Next, spray the contaminated area with a bleach and water solution containing one ounce of bleach for every 10 ounces of water.
Disinfect soft surfaces.
While you can spray bleach onto most walls and hard floors, if you have found rat droppings on your carpet or bedding, you’ll have to harness the power of hot water. Carpets should be thoroughly steam cleaned – your local hardware store likely has carpet cleaning machine rentals. Bedding, pillowcases, blankets, and clothing can be tossed in the wash. Unfortunately, if your personal belongings cannot be washed, such as if your mattress is heavily contaminated, you may have to get rid of these and buy new ones.
Show your rat exterminator where you have cleaned.
Once you show your rat exterminator the areas that you’ve cleaned, they will go from there to determine the point of entry. Your Alder Pest Control team members are experts in helping reduce the possibility of a further rodent infestation. They will know what to look for and can provide tips and advice, such as cleaning up after meals and using plastic bins in the pantry, that will help you keep your home rodent-free.
Rodents can spread diseases, including hantavirus and rat-bite fever. Their droppings can even cause respiratory distress if breathed in. Call a rat exterminator as soon as you notice signs of rodent infestation. Doing so will give you your best chance at making sure that the only things living in your home are the people and pets you call family.
Do you need a rat exterminator and live in Northwest Arkansas? Alder Pest Control has you covered.
