Mouse droppings in the kitchen are a hazard

It won’t come as a shock to know that fecal from any animal can be dangerous.  This is especially true of mice because they can so easily get into our homes.  Once inside the home mice are give unfettered access to most areas.  The most likely area other than the basement would be the kitchen.

Mice in the kitchen

Every day in Ct there is a home or business owner that deals with mice.  The vast majority at one point or another will have visible mouse droppings somewhere.  When this area is the kitchen there should be immediate concern.

As CT residents we deal with both the house and deer mouse.  Both mice once inside the kitchen will readily walk on food surfaces.  When they do they may leave remnants of salmonellae.  For those of you that are unaware salmonellae is a bacterial disease that can adversely effect the digestive system and cause fever.

Further, and worse yet deer mice may carry the hantavirus.  This virus is an upper respiratory disease that is spread by the urine, feces and saliva of mice.

Cleaning mouse droppings in the kitchen

If you find yourself in the unenviable position of having to clean mouse droppings there is a right and wrong way to do it.  The wrong way would be without respiratory protection and using a vacuum.  The reason this is dangerous is that the droppings, especially those that are fossilized may become airborne.

The correct way to clean mouse droppings is to wear facial protection, spray the droppings with a liquid disinfectant and then gently wipe them up.  This may take longer, but it’s the correct way to do it.

If you have mice call 1-888-879-6481, Envirocare Pest Control can help.