Thank you to guest blogger, Clara Beaufort, gardenergigs.com, for sharing these tips on how to clean up after mice invade your home!
They’re constantly portrayed as cute and full of mischief in cartoons, but the truth is that mice are not at all the fun and helpful housemates they are purported to be. Rather, they can be quite the menace to the home and health. For one thing, they’re plenty destructive, chewing on just about anything, including wires, which in turn can be a fire hazard. For another, they’re known carriers of diseases like salmonella, hantavirus, Lyme disease, and typhus — as well as bacteria that may worsen conditions like asthma and allergies, to name just a few.
Indeed, a mice infestation is definitely a problem that’s all sorts of unpleasant for the hapless homeowner. But according to Good Housekeeping, while dealing with it is far from easy and painless, it is, at the very least, straightforward. RE/MAX Capitol Properties offers these measures you can take in the wake of these unwelcome guests.
Recognize the Signs
First, it’s very important to know what signs to look out for in a mice infestation, most of which are quite obvious. No doubt, the presence of droppings is the most telling. You may even find pillars a few inches high that are composed of dirt, body grease, and urine, which usually accounts for the pervading smell of ammonia. Needless to say, being able to recognize these signs gives you a better handle on both the extermination and the clean-up process.
And of course, let’s not forget the carcass, especially if you dealt with the whole situation yourself. Suffice it to say, you’re literally going to have your hands full during clean-up after an infestation, which invariably takes us to the next point.
Wear Protection
As mentioned, rodents carry a wide range of unsavory things, especially diseases. For this reason, it’s of utmost importance that you keep yourself adequately protected during clean-up. This is because you are essentially handling septic material, which can put you at risk of contamination. So, as a rule, make sure to put on rubber or latex gloves. What’s more, protective goggles and respirators are also recommended.
Disinfect, Disinfect, Disinfect!
Once you’re fully equipped, you can commence your clean-up efforts. No doubt, a crucial part of the process is constant disinfecting. Using a good disinfectant or a homemade mixture of one part bleach and 10 parts water, spray the mixture on the urine and droppings. After soaking for five minutes, you can then use a paper towel to pick them up and dispose of them. Do the same with carcasses and the nest, but do seal these in a plastic bag before throwing them out.
Following these measures, go on and disinfect all items and surfaces. This will entail mopping floors and wiping down countertops with your bleach solution, as well as washing beddings and steam-cleaning or shampooing furniture and carpets that may have been exposed.
Call in the Pros
Alternatively, you can always hire an exterminator if a full-scale mice invasion is at hand and you don’t want to deal with it. It’s definitely a more preferable option, as opposed to the time, energy, and money you will inevitably spend on the DIY route — not to mention the unpleasantries. Best of all, such a service can even take on the unsavory prospect of disposal — a real service to the squeamish. Before you hire an exterminator, use a site like Angi.com to check out customer reviews and ratings; that way, you can feel better about the service you’ve hired to take care of your mouse infestation problem.
Getting your home thoroughly and professionally cleaned right away following the extermination process is also a must. Consider hiring a housekeeper to ensure that your house is free of contamination and other such damage that mice might bring. Better yet, you’ll want to get professional cleaning on a regular basis, too, to prevent a recurrence and, in turn, keep your household healthy and safe.
Indeed, a mice infestation is an unpleasant business and dealing with the aftermath can be even more so. However, it’s one that needs efficient and decisive handling, so there’s really no reason to vacillate on the matter. Let these measures show you the way to a clean and rodent-free home. The health and safety of your family depend on it.
The team of agents at RE/MAX Capitol Properties have years of experience helping clients have successful real estate transactions. Give us a call to find out about one of our many classes to learn more about the home buying or selling processes! (307) 635-0303
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