You turn on the kitchen light at midnight…
You’re just after a snack, maybe some leftover pizza or a spoonful of peanut butter. But then, you freeze…zoned out, staring past the food in your hand. There’s something on the floor. A few on the counter, too. And probably more inside the cabinets. Tiny. Dark. Some oval, some round. And now you’re in denial, not again. Another pest has moved in! Yes, your home has been invaded. These droppings are proof of their presence and their way of saying that we are here.
Let’s decode what these feces are, how they got here, and most importantly, how to clean them.
What are Rodent Droppings?
Droppings are just the mess that rodents leave behind. These black, brownish, oval-shaped droppings are a sign of rodents in your home. Some studies even say that rodent feces can act as a signal through which other rodents can join them. You might spot them near walls or close to your food storage areas. The spread and number of droppings can also indicate the level of infestation in your place.
How to Identify Rodent Droppings?
You might wonder: what’s the need to identify droppings? Wasn’t that not on our to-do learning chart? Well, neither were those droppings on your floor, and yet, here we are. (sigh!)
Identifying different types of rodent feces can actually help you come up with better pest protection and, hence, the right solution. So yeah, Rodent Dropping Difference might sound like a weird skill to learn, but it comes with better outcomes and understanding of what you’re dealing with.
Let’s break it down:
Rat Mouse Squirrel
Larger, 3/4 inch long Relatively smaller, ⅛ to ¼ of an inch. About 3/8 inches
Fresh droppings are black, and older droppings are gray Mostly black or dark brown, old droppings are light brown Fresh dropping brown and old dropping in lighter brown tone
Spindle-like shape with pointed or rounded ends. Cylindrical shape and pointed ends Long with a twist at the midpoint.
20-50 droppings per day up to 80 droppings per day 20-30 droppings per day
Are Rodent Droppings Dangerous?
Rodent feces aren’t just gross, they’re dangerous. They spread bacteria, attract fleas and bugs, and can carry serious health risks. Since rats and mice are known to cause major health threats. In fact, Rats are among the most dangerous pests when it comes to disease transmission. They’ve been linked to more human diseases than almost any other pest, second only to mosquitoes.
So, rodent droppings aren’t something to take lightly. If a rat bite can be life-threatening, their droppings are definitely nothing to mess with, let alone ignore. Makes sense, right?
Diseases That Can Be Caused by Rodent Feces
As mentioned above, rodents are among the most dangerous pests, and their feces are no less risky. Some of the diseases that can be caused by these droppings are given below:
- Hantavirus is a specific virus spread through contact with infected rodent feces, urine, or saliva, especially when particles become airborne. It’s not just a minor health concern: Hantavirus has a fatality rate of around 40%.
- Leptospirosis is a disease you can get from touching water or surfaces with rodent urine on them. It can sneak in through cuts on your skin, or even your eyes or mouth. It’s more common in wet areas and can make you really sick if you’re not careful.
- Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM) spreads through rodent pee, poop, or spit, mostly from house mice. It starts off like the flu, but can lead to severe complications, especially during pregnancy. It’s not usually deadly, but it can seriously harm an unborn baby.
- Rat-Bite Fever (RBF) can happen just by touching rodent droppings or anything contaminated. It usually starts with fever and chills, but if you don’t treat it, it can get serious fast, even life-threatening. It’s fatal in about 10% of cases.
Cleaning Tips for Rodent Feces
We are here with some useful tips for you (because this isn’t some average mess):
- Always wear gloves before handling or cleaning any infestation.
- Use a mixture of water and diluted bleach (typically 1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
- Let the droppings soak in the solution for at least 5 minutes; this helps in sanitization.
- Wipe the area with paper towels or disposable rags after soaking.
- Do NOT use a vacuum cleaner or broom; these can stir up particles and spread harmful bacteria into the air. It can also turn droppings into fine dust, leading to breathing problems.
- Keep kids and pets away from the area until it’s completely cleaned and dried.
- Call a pest control company if the infestation is large or you’re unsure how to handle it safely.
At Dave’s Pest Control, our professionals use the latest technology and safe, effective methods to handle dropping infestations. We have a dedicated team for rodent control. Contact us here, we’d be happy to help!
Conclusion
So next time you turn on the kitchen light for a midnight snack and spot those tiny droppings, don’t ignore them. Rodent droppings aren’t just gross; they can be dangerous and even spread life-threatening diseases. Sometimes, these little messes are signals to other rodents, like creepy invitations to move in. That’s why it’s super important to clean up the infested area asap. Handle those feces with care and follow safety steps.
And if DIY cleaning doesn’t do the trick, don’t hesitate to call a nearby pest control company for help. Stay safe, stay clean, and happy reading, buds!
