How to Safely Clean Rat Droppings and Avoid Getting Sick

 

Cleaning up rat droppings must be done very carefully, because the droppings can carry dangerous germs and viruses (like hantavirus and salmonella) that can make humans very sick. Never sweep or vacuum rat droppings, as this can send tiny particles into the air that you might breathe in. The safest way to clean up the mess is to protect yourself, soak the droppings with cleaning products, and carefully remove and dispose of everything.

 

Protect Yourself Before You Clean

 

• Wear disposable gloves: Use rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves so your hands never touch the droppings, urine, or nesting material.
• Use a mask: A disposable N95 mask is best. If you don’t have one, tie a cloth tightly over your nose and mouth, but know that this is not as safe as a real mask.
• Put on old clothes and closed shoes: Wear long sleeves, pants, and shoes that cover your entire foot. If possible, use clothes you can wash with hot water after cleaning.

 

Air Out the Room

 

• Open all doors and windows in the area for at least 30 minutes before cleaning. This helps air out germs that might be floating around.
• Leave the area while it airs out if you can.

 

Soak Droppings and Nests with Disinfectant

 

• Make a disinfectant solution by mixing 1 part household bleach with 10 parts water, or use a store-bought household disinfectant that kills viruses and bacteria.
• Spray the droppings, urine, and any nesting material thoroughly with disinfectant until they are completely wet. Let the disinfectant soak in for at least 5 minutes—this kills the germs and reduces risk of spreading them into the air.

 

Pick Up and Dispose of the Droppings Safely

 

• Use paper towels to pick up the soaked droppings and nesting materials. Do not sweep or vacuum.
• Put all the waste (used towels, droppings, nesting material) into a plastic bag, seal it tightly, and place this bag inside another plastic bag (double-bagging).
• Put the sealed bag in an outdoor trash can with a tight-fitting lid.

 

Clean and Disinfect the Area Again

 

• After picking up the droppings, wipe down floors, walls, and any surfaces that might have come in contact with rats or droppings using more disinfectant.
• If it’s in a kitchen or food area, clean countertops and then disinfect again to make sure no germs remain.

 

Safely Remove and Discard Protective Gear

 

• Remove gloves carefully, turning them inside-out as you take them off. Wash your hands while still wearing the gloves to start cleaning them before removal if possible.
• Throw gloves and mask away in a sealed bag in the outdoor trash.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after handling any contaminated materials or removing gloves and mask.
• If possible, shower and change into clean clothes. Wash worn clothes in hot water with regular laundry detergent.

 

Additional Tips to Reduce Risk

 

• If you find a large amount of droppings or a severe rat infestation, it’s much safer to call a professional pest control or cleaning service.
• Never touch any dead rats directly—use gloves and disinfectant, and dispose of as above.
• Always keep food, pet food, and kitchenware away from areas you are cleaning.
• After cleaning, take extra care to watch for any symptoms like fever, muscle aches, cough, or trouble breathing for several weeks, and see a doctor if you feel unwell.