Rat Infestation – How to Remediate

Pests are an all too common unfortunate by-product of human living. Where we gather so too does waste accumulate, food and water become more readily available. When homes are messy, or home to hoarders the risk increases dramatically. A rat infestation becomes more likely, and more hazardous. This time on the BIOClean blog, how to remediate after a rat infestation!

Remediating a Rat Infestation

Before getting on your hands and knees with a rag and spray taking some extra time at the start is absolutely crucial. First things first, you need to trap any rodents that remain. Once those have been rounded up and any potential entryways sealed, wait a week. Keep repeating this process until a week goes by and no new rodents are caught. This will also provide time for any infectious virus in the droppings and nesting material to go inert. Once the active rat infestation is handled, remediation can truly begin. 

Ventilate the Space

Once you’re sure that there are no more rodents open up the space and ventilate it. Open doors and windows for a minimum of 30 minutes before working in there, create some cross ventilation if possible.

Cleaning up urine and droppings

Remember how the first thing to do was ventilate? That’s critical because you don’t want to stir up any hazardous dust when cleaning so avoid sweeping and vacuuming to start. Follow these guidelines:

  • Wear rubber/vinyl/latex gloves
  • Spray the urine and droppings with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water and let soak 5 minutes. 
  • Use a paper towel to pick up the urine and droppings, and dispose of the waste in the garbage.
  • After the rodent droppings and urine have been removed, disinfect items that might have been contaminated by rodents or their urine and droppings.

The recommended concentration of bleach for a solution is 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Whenever using a commercial disinfectant, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. They have critical information for dilution and dwell time that has to be followed to ensure efficacy. 

Clean and disinfect the area

  • Mop floors, clean countertops with the disinfectant or bleach solution.

For any furniture or clothing items that have been exposed to rat droppings or urine, clean and disinfect as well with powerful cleaners and hot water.

  • Shampoo or steam clean furniture and carpets.
  • Wash any bedding, clothing with laundry detergent in hot water.

Dead Rodents or Nests

While clearing out the remnants of a rat infestation, it’s entirely likely you might come across dead rodents or a nest. Take the proper precautions needed when removing dead creatures as they can be hazardous! Handling them will require some precautions as well. Make sure to wear rubber/latex/vinyl gloves when cleaning.

  • Spray the dead rodent or nest and the surrounding area with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water.
  • Allow the nest/rodent to soak for 5 minutes (or designated dwell time on the disinfectant) before wiping up with a rag or paper towel.
  • Put the dead rat and/or nesting materials into a plastic bag and seal tightly. Place this bag into a second bag and seal.
  • Throw the bag into the trash bin.

Afterward make sure you remove your gloves, and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.

 

Watch Out for Vehicles with Rodent Infestations

Believe it or not, vehicles are a common spot for rodents to take up residence. Rats, squirrels, all sorts of rodents make trucks, campers, boats, and other vehicles their nests. Any vehicle that sits for a longer period of time or used infrequently makes for a secure ready to live spot for rodents. 

When it comes to clearing out nests or infestations you’ll want to follow the same steps. The difference here is you will want to make sure to take your vehicle in for an inspection as soon as you’re able. When rodents move in, they don’t treat the property quite as nice as they could, chewing through cables and wiring and hoses. It’s entirely possible they’ve done some serious damage that needs repair.

Heavy Rat Infestation

If the rat infestation was particularly heavy, you’re better off calling in professionals like the BIOClean Team to come in and remediate the space. It can be more than just sweeping up droppings and disinfecting the carpet, requiring flooring and subflooring to be removed or even more drastic remediation techniques. For that, you want qualified, certified, experienced professionals like the BIOClean Team!