What Do Rodent Droppings Look Like?
Pale Horse Pest Control • 10 December 2022
What Do Rodent Droppings Look Like?
Rat Droppings Vs Mouse Droppings
Rodent droppings quickly reveal the presence of sewer rats and mice in your house. Mouse droppings look like black grains of rice. Brown Rat droppings are 1/2 – 1 inch and appear light brown when fresh but quickly darken as they dry.
Rat Droppings
A Brown Rat ( Rattus norvegicus ) infestation will deposit at least 20-40 rat droppings each day and a large amount of strong-smelling urine. Over just a few weeks, the smell from the rat urine and faeces will be noticeable to anyone entering the house who is unaccustomed to the smell.
Rat Droppings tend to appear in tight clusters because rats are creatures of habit and routinely establish a latrine of sorts within their environment.
Where To Look For Rat Droppings
- Inside inspection chambers
- Under kitchen & utility room units, behind plinths
- Behind white goods: fridges, washing machines, dryers and freezers
- Attics, lofts & crawl spaces, especially under insulation
- Boiler rooms, airing cupboards and utility cupboards
- Inside storage cupboards, especially low-level storage with pipes through them
Mouse Droppings
House mice produce 50 – 75 black, tapered droppings a night and these small tapered Mouse faeces in attics often get confused with those from bats. Wearing a pair of protective gloves, you can quickly test the droppings. Droppings produced by bats should crumble to dust, while putty-like droppings indicate rats, mice, or other rodents have been present.
Shrews, field mice, wood mice and voles will sometimes find their way into a property. Be prepared for surprises, especially if you have cats bringing captured animals indoors!
What makes mouse droppings such a problem is the urine that goes with it. Mice are incontinent of urine, meaning they spread disease-causing bacteria throughout their range. Food hygiene needs to be of paramount importance during control to limit any cross-infection.
Where To Look For Mouse Droppings
- Under & behind furniture
- Inside sofa beds
- Under free-standing furniture like sideboards and TV cabinets
- Under microwaves & inside toasters or crumb trays
- Inside storage cupboards, especially low-level storage with pipes through them
Droppings: Cleaning & Disinfection
It’s vital to ensure areas with active infestations have droppings removed as often as possible. Rodent dropping removal enables you to track and determine the presence of rodents or the scale of any infestation. Deep cleaning also keeps you safer and delivers a valuable psychological boost, protecting you from diseases carried and transmitted by rats and mice.
10 Deep Cleaning Tips For Rat & Mouse Infestations
- Wash and disinfect hands before and after wearing gloves.
- Always use fresh gloves, ensuring the wearer has no allergies to latex. Nitrile is the best glove material we’ve used. Powder-free gloves also aid with convenience and comfort. If gloves break, have spare gloves conveniently available.
- Have everything ready in advance, so you don’t need to leave the cleaning area with contaminated gloves, hands, clothing or trash.
- A vacuum is excellent, as is a steam cleaning device but wear gloves and face or respiratory protection to avoid the inadvertent inhalation of faecal particles. Eyes are also at risk from foreign object contamination, so a pair of protective glasses or a face shield is advised.
- Most strong disinfectants will work adequately in most cases but always read the label for the best results.
- Once you have removed waste and all traces of droppings and urine, don’t forget to empty the vacuum outside to prevent dust particles from lifting inside the building.
- Use disinfectant wipes to clean down surfaces and anything used in the cleaning process.
- Check for new droppings and activity daily for at least four weeks.
- Don’t neglect food hygiene or hand hygiene until you are sure the rodent activity has stopped.
- Never underestimate the value of using a professional pest controller for treatment or advice.
12 Steps To Effective Rat & Mouse Removal
- Consider a professional pest control inspection.
- Protect food preparation surfaces and exposed foods.
- Prevent access to pet foods.
- Deep clean food preparation areas.
- Identify areas of highest activity or droppings.
- Identify the species – mouse or rat?
- Implement control – traps, bait, etc.
- Identify the entry point – internal or external & proof
- Where entry points can’t be found, get drains checked.
- Check insurance documents for rodent or remediation cover.
- Speak to neighbours, prior owners or refer to plans, etc.
- Don’t consider yourself rodent-free for at least 28 days after the last known activity.
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Hantavirus in UK Rats and Mice Hantavirus: Prevalence, Transmission, Risks, and Pest Control Hantaviruses are a group of rodent-borne viruses that pose a public health concern due to their potential to cause serious illnesses in humans. In the UK, while human infections are rare, the presence of hantavirus, particularly Seoul virus (SEOV), in rat populations underscores the importance of effective pest control. Let's take a look at the prevalence of hantavirus in rats and mice in the UK, how it is transmitted, the risks it poses to humans and pets, and how pest control can mitigate these risks, drawing on scientific data and research. Prevalence of Hantavirus in UK Rodents Hantaviruses are carried by various rodent species, including rats and mice, with the Seoul virus (SEOV) being the primary strain in the UK, hosted by brown rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) and black rats ( Rattus rattus ). Research indicates varying prevalence across different rodent populations: Pet and Breeding Colonies: Studies show a high prevalence in pet rat populations, particularly in breeding colonies. For example, in private breeding colonies in Wales and South England, SEOV prevalence ranged from 33% to 100%, depending on the testing method (e.g., RNA PCR or serology) (Public Health England, 2016). Commercial rat farms and households with pet rats reported rates of 48–67%, likely due to close contact in enclosed spaces. Wild Rodents: Prevalence in wild rats varies by region. In Northern Ireland, 21.6% of brown rats and 28.8% of house mice ( Mus domesticus ) were seropositive for hantavirus (Patient.info, 2024). In Yorkshire, 50% of brown rats tested positive for SEOV, while in North-western England, no rats or mice tested positive for hantavirus RNA, though a novel Tatenale virus was found in 13% of field voles (Microtus agrestis) (Pounder et al., 2013). Other Rodents: Wood mice ( Apodemus sylvaticus ) showed low prevalence (0.03% in Northern Ireland), and bank voles ( Myodes glareolus ) had no detectable hantavirus in some studies. Puumala virus (PUUV), common in Europe, is not present in the UK, but a variant has been detected in rodent populations (Patient.info, 2024). Since 2012, 11 confirmed human cases of hantavirus infection have been reported in the UK, with nine linked to pet rats or rats bred for reptile feeding, indicating a higher risk in domestic settings (Public Health England, 2016). Transmission of Hantavirus Hantaviruses are primarily transmitted to humans through inhalation of aerosolised particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. When these materials dry and are disturbed, such as during cleaning or sweeping, virus particles can become airborne and inhaled. Less commonly, transmission occurs through direct contact with infected rodents (e.g., handling pet rats) or bites, though bites are rare (GOV.UK). In homes with rodent infestations, the risk of exposure increases due to potential contamination of living spaces, particularly in areas like kitchens, attics, or basements where rodents are active. Risks to Humans and Pets Hantavirus infections in humans can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), characterised by fever, muscle pain, headaches, abdominal pain, and, in severe cases, kidney failure. While HFRS has a low fatality rate in the UK, severe cases may require hospitalisation (Patient.info, 2024). The psychological impact of infestations and health concerns can also be significant, causing stress and anxiety. Pets, such as cats and dogs, may be exposed to hantavirus by hunting or coming into contact with infected rodents. Although specific data on hantavirus in UK pets is limited, their exposure to rodent-borne pathogens like leptospirosis or Salmonella suggests a potential risk. Infected pets could theoretically spread contaminated materials, increasing household risks. Importance of Pest Control Pest control is critical in reducing hantavirus risks by eliminating rodent populations and preventing their access to homes. Effective strategies include: Exclusion: Sealing entry points, such as gaps in walls, doors, or pipes, to prevent rodents from entering. Sanitation: Removing food sources (e.g., unsecured garbage, pet food) and maintaining clean environments to deter rodents. Trapping and Removal: Using humane traps to capture and remove rodents, avoiding reliance on baits that may lead to dead rodents in inaccessible areas. Professional Services: For severe infestations, Pale Horse Pest Control ensures safe and thorough removal, often using integrated pest management techniques. Proper decontamination of infested areas, using disinfectants and ventilation, further reduces the risk of virus transmission. Mitigating Risks in Homes For households with rodent problems, the following steps can mitigate hantavirus risks: Avoid Direct Contact: Wear gloves and masks when cleaning areas with rodent droppings or urine to prevent inhalation or skin contact. Ventilate Spaces: Open windows and doors to disperse aerosolised particles before cleaning. Thorough Cleaning: Use disinfectants to clean contaminated surfaces and dispose of materials in sealed bags. Professional Help: Engage pest control experts for severe infestations to ensure complete rodent removal and decontamination. Educate Family: Inform household members about the risks of hantavirus and safe cleaning practices. Protect Pets: Keep pets away from areas infested with rodents and monitor them for signs of illness, ensuring regular veterinary check-ups. Summary Hantavirus, particularly SEOV, is present in UK rat populations, with higher prevalence in pet and breeding colonies than in wild rodents. Transmission through aerosolised rodent excreta poses risks to humans, causing HFRS, and potentially to pets through contact with infected rodents. Effective pest control, including exclusion, sanitation, and professional intervention, is essential to minimise these risks. By taking proactive measures, households can protect themselves, their families, and their pets from hantavirus and other rodent-borne diseases.
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