Yes, there is a wrong way to clean up mouse droppings, and unfortunately, it’s the way that most people are likely to do it. When they see droppings in a closet, a drawer or a corner of the basement, folks tend to reach for a broom or vacuum to get rid of them. But according to pest control expert Kyle Turner, “sweeping or vacuuming is the worst thing you can do.”
Why? That’s what this post explores, along with an explanation of the hazards that mouse droppings create. We also explain the proper way to clean up droppings, and because it involves getting down and dirty with them, it might be the method you are least likely to choose.
Diseases Linked to Rodent Waste
Rats and mice don’t deserve the full blame for the spread of bubonic plague (aka The Black Death) during the Middle Ages, but they definitely helped, because they carried the fleas that actually infected people with the Yersinia pestis bacterium. Rodents don’t need fleas to spread other pathogenic bacteria, however, including Salmonellosis and Leptospirosis, as well as viral infections like Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) and Hantavirus. They spread these diseases through their droppings.
Hantavirus is a particularly serious infection, according to the CDC. Some 38 percent of the people who develop severe symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) end up dying. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath and tightening of the chest.
Why Sweeping or Vacuuming Mouse Droppings Is a Bad Idea
When you sweep or vacuum dry mouse droppings, you raise dust, and that’s dangerous. “Hantavirus spreads through inhalation of contaminated dust, and it’s not something to mess around with,” warns Turner. It isn’t just the droppings you have to worry about; it’s also dried urine and any nesting materials that happen to be around. Some nesting materials may be too small to see and lightweight enough to fly around when agitated. That increases the likelihood of inhalation.
Safe Cleanup Steps
Ventilate the area
“Ventilate the space first, at least 30 minutes before you touch anything,” advises Turner. Open windows and doors to create a cross-draft. If you need a fan, run it only at low speed to avoid raising dust.
Use proper protective gear
“Gloves and a mask the whole time,” says Turner.
Saturate the droppings
Turner’s advice: “Wet the droppings down with a disinfectant.” If you’re wondering which disinfectant to use, the CDC recommends any preferred disinfectant cleaner, and it provides a link to an EPA site that explains the meaning of “preferred,” but without mentioning any brands. You can save yourself a ton of research by using a 10:1 bleach solution (10 parts water, one part bleach), which the CDC also recommends.
Wipe instead of sweeping
“Let it sit,” advises Turner, “and wipe it up with paper towels…don’t forget the urine trails you can’t see.”
Disinfect
Using your preferred disinfectant spray or a 10:1 bleach solution in a spray bottle, spray the area around the droppings and any surrounding places you think mice or rats might have visited.
When DIY Cleanup Is Not Enough
To get rid of mouse droppings, you have to get rid of mice, and if your DIY efforts are failing in that regard, it may be time to get professional help. Before you do that, though, check out these helpful mouse control ideas.
FAQ
What qualifies as an infestation?
If you see a mouse in your home, it’s unlikely to be alone, and that itself is a good indication of an infestation. In the absence of an actual mouse sighting, droppings in several places, gnawed woodwork and the sounds of scurrying animals inside the walls are also signs of mice taking up residence in your residence.
How can I keep mice from returning to my home?
Prevent access to what attracts mice. Clean eating areas assiduously, store food in sealed containers and stop rodents from getting into the house by sealing holes in the foundation, baseboards, and any other small gaps you can find. And “small” means about the size of a dime.
About the Expert
- Kyle Turner is the Founder, President, and CEO of Pro Active Pest Control, based in Rancho Cordova, CA.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): How Plague Spreads; (2024)
- CDC: About Hantavirus; (2024)
- CDC: How to Clean Up After Rodents; (2024)
- PCI Pest Control: What Size Hole Can a Mouse or Rat Fit Through? Entry Points to Seal in Washington Homes; (2026)
Related:
- How To Get Rid of Pet Hair in Your Home
- 5 Tips for Getting Dog Smell Out of Your House
- How To Clean a Dog Bed
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