Mouse poop isn’t exactly a fun topic to think about, but it is a crucial factor for discovering rodent issues. This entry will cover the importance of mouse droppings, identification, and how to clean up mouse droppings.
Importance
Mice are nocturnal and excellent hiders meaning they can evade detection for long periods of time. This is why droppings are usually a better indicator of a mouse issue than trying to actually find a mouse. The benefit of mouse droppings is that it’s a sign that stays in place 24/7. It also helps to indicate where the problematic areas are. Mice typically don’t forage more than 10-25 feet for their food and they generally leave droppings where they feed.
Rodent droppings are important, not only for their identification, but also because of their disease capabilities. Droppings and urine have the potential to carry Salmonella (a cause of food poisoning), tapeworms, and many more diseases. It is important to clean them up as able. If you are looking to clean up rodent droppings, it’s important you take the proper precautions listed in the “Proper Cleaning” section.
Mouse Dropping Identification
If you have mice in your home, it should be relatively easy to find droppings. Mice leave behind 40-100 droppings every night. Over 6 months, a pair of mice will leave behind 18,000 droppings!
Below are pictures and descriptions of commonly confused droppings pertaining to mice. I put them in a drop down menu so readers don’t have to see pictures of droppings the entire they read this article! You’re welcome.
Commonly Confused Droppings
Mouse Droppings
Mouse droppings are rod-shaped with pointed ends and about ⅛-¼ inch length.
Rat Droppings
These droppings are from a Norway rat. The most common rat in Minnesota and Wisconsin. ¾ inch length with blunt ends.
Chipmunk Droppings
Chipmunk droppings are elongated, around ⅜ inch in length, slightly bigger than mouse droppings.
Proper Cleaning Of Mouse Droppings
As alluded to earlier, it is important to properly clean rodent droppings because they have the potential to cause a multitude of diseases. For proper cleaning we explain the process based on the one outlined by the CDC.
Step 1: Put on rubber or plastic gloves. Adam’s also recommends wearing a respiratory mask such as an N95.
Step 2: Spray urine and droppings with bleach solution or disinfectant until very wet. Let it soak for 5 minutes. Adam’s recommends a 10% bleach solution, approved disinfectant, and letting the droppings soak for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Use paper towels to wipe up the urine or droppings and cleaning product.
Step 4: Throw the paper towels in a covered garbage can that is regularly emptied.
Step 5: Mop or sponge the area with a disinfectant.
Clean all hard surfaces including floors, countertops, cabinets, and drawers.
Follow instructions below to clean and disinfect other types of surfaces.
Step 6: Wash gloved hands with soap and water or a disinfectant before removing gloves.
Step 7: Wash hands with soap and warm water after removing gloves or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled.
Link To CDC Page: https://tools.cdc.gov/medialibrary/index.aspx#/media/id/131993
If You See Signs Of Rodents…
If you see potential signs of rodents, it’s important to contact Adam’s. Mice are very prolific breeders meaning that the longer you wait to get a problem solved, the more the population will multiply.
For more information or to get a free estimate visit: https://www.adamspestcontrol.com/pest/mice/
Or
Call 763-478-9810
