{"id":32822,"date":"2021-06-03T15:43:03","date_gmt":"2021-06-03T19:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.novaextermination.com\/how-do-you-decontaminate-a-mouse-infested-house\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T12:34:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:34:40","slug":"how-do-you-decontaminate-a-mouse-infested-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.novaextermination.com\/en\/how-do-you-decontaminate-a-mouse-infested-house\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you decontaminate a mouse-infested house?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mice are making droppings all over the house. They also carry foul odors. Mice are also vectors for the transmission of hantavirus<\/a>, which causes respiratory problems. After getting rid of the mice, you will have to decontaminate the house with caution. Find out how to recognize mouse droppings<\/a>. <\/p>\n

If the infestation is still active, i.e. if mice continue to circulate at night, decontaminating them before eliminating them is a wasted effort. Our guide to catching a mouse<\/a> covers trapping and baiting prior to the cleanup phase. <\/p>\n

How do you disinfect a mouse-infested house?<\/h2>\n

Put on gloves<\/h3>\n

Before you start decontaminating, you need to protect yourself against germs. Put on rubber gloves and spray them with disinfectant. You should never assume that a surface is clean because it appears to be. <\/p>\n

Avoid sweeping or vacuuming dust<\/h3>\n

Most people would tend to take a broom or vacuum cleaner to remove dust and feces. This will only release the airborne particles. You will also contribute to the spread of viral particles, which increases the risk of contamination. <\/p>\n

Bleach: your best ally<\/h3>\n

The best way to decontaminate a mouse-infested home is to use bleach. Clean all surfaces well with a mop. Not just the ones where you suspect the presence of mice. Clean carpets and rugs as well. <\/p>\n

Anything that has been brought into contact with the surfaces to be cleaned should then be thrown away. All mouse droppings should be picked up carefully before being disposed of. <\/p>\n

How can a new invasion be prevented?<\/h2>\n

Block entrances and exits<\/h3>\n

The best way to avoid another mouse invasion is to block the entrances and exits where mice pass. Look along the walls and check for holes or cavities. Then block any cavities you see. <\/p>\n

Avoid attracting them again<\/h3>\n

Mice that live in homes are often looking for food. They don’t just like cheese, but also fruits, vegetables, grains, and other types of foods that can be eaten. By cleaning your kitchen, you will take away their food source and prevent them from attracting them back into your home. <\/p>\n

For a home with multiple rooms affected or a recurring infestation year after year, a simple cleaning is not enough. Our rodent extermination<\/a> program combines intensive trapping, closure of entry points and final decontamination with follow-up over several passes. <\/p>\n

Decontaminate your mouse-infested home with Nova Extermination<\/h2>\n

Decontaminating your mouse-infested home can be complex to achieve. In the best case, it is best to call a professional pest control exterminator. The latter has the expertise and know-how to get rid of mice in your home and decontaminate the premises. <\/p>\n

For many years, Nova extermination has specialized in the extermination of mice<\/a> and the extermination of rats<\/a>. Our expertise and listening skills have made us leaders in the field of extermination. <\/p>\n

If you need an expert to disinfect your mouse-infested home, talk to us now<\/strong>. We will be happy to answer all your questions. <\/p>\n

Five Health Risks of a Mouse Infestation<\/h2>\n

The droppings and urine of mice can transmit several pathogens to humans. The table below summarizes the five risks documented in Canada, their route of transmission, and their severity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Pathogen<\/th>\nType<\/th>\nRoute of transmission<\/th>\nSymptoms<\/th>\nSeverity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Hantavirus<\/strong><\/td>\nVirus<\/td>\nInhalation dust urine\/faeces<\/td>\nFever, muscle aches, respiratory syndrome<\/td>\nHigh to very high<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Salmonellosis<\/strong><\/td>\nBacteria<\/td>\nHand-to-mouth contact contaminated surfaces<\/td>\nDiarrhea, fever, cramps<\/td>\nModerate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leptospirosis<\/strong><\/td>\nBacteria<\/td>\nUrine contaminated water<\/td>\nFever, jaundice, muscle aches<\/td>\nHigh if left untreated<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis<\/strong><\/td>\nVirus<\/td>\nInhalation, mucosal contact<\/td>\nFever, meningitis<\/td>\nModerate to high<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Allergies to feces<\/strong><\/td>\nImmune reaction<\/td>\nInhalation dust Cough<\/td>\n, asthma, eczema<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Hantavirus is the most serious risk: transmission by inhalation of very fine particles during sweeping or dry handling of excrement. This is the main reason why we always moisten before cleaning, and why a minimum N95 mask is required. <\/p>\n

Three typical cases of disinfection<\/h2>\n

Disinfection of a kitchen after a short infestation<\/h3>\n

The most frequent case. The infestation lasted a few weeks, with droppings on counters and in the supply cabinets. Protocol: remove all exposed food (throw away even what appears intact), clean surfaces with a 1:10 diluted bleach solution, wash salvageable glass containers with boiling water, completely disinfect the inside of cabinets. Cost: $30 to $80 worth of cleaning supplies and discarded food. Duration: one working weekend. <\/p>\n

Disinfection of a heavily contaminated basement<\/h3>\n

More complex: infestation lasting several months, large quantities of droppings in stored boxes, sometimes visible nests. Full PPE mandatory (N95 mask, gloves, goggles, disposable coveralls), systematic humidification before any trip, collection in sealable bags, disinfection of surfaces. If the insulation is deeply affected, professional removal is recommended. Duration: 1 to 2 days minimum, plus possible release of stored boxes. <\/p>\n

Disinfection after a mouse dies in a wall<\/h3>\n

Special case: strong odour localised in a room after poisoning or natural death of a mouse in an inaccessible cavity. Solutions: opening the partition at the identified location to remove the corpse (the most effective method but requires work), or patience with a dehumidifier and activated carbon (4 to 6 weeks). Complete disinfection after removal of the corpse, plus reconstruction of the partition. <\/p>\n

Recommended PPE for disinfection<\/h2>\n

Personal protective equipment significantly reduces the risk of exposure to pathogens during disinfection. Four minimum elements for a safe intervention. <\/p>\n

Respirator Mask<\/h3>\n

An N95 mask is the minimum acceptable for dry surfaces. For heavy or prolonged accumulations, upgrade to a P100 half-mask with filter cartridges. Surgical masks and bandanas are insufficient: they do not stop fine viral particles. <\/p>\n

Durable nitrile gloves<\/h3>\n

Prefer nitrile to latex (superior chemical resistance to chlorinated disinfectants). Minimum 5 mils thickness to resist tearing when handling debris. Wear gloves if exposure is intense or prolonged. <\/p>\n

Waterproof goggles<\/h3>\n

Scientific goggles with all-round seal, not just safety goggles open on the sides. Protect against splashes when spraying disinfectant and against airborne particles. <\/p>\n

Coveralls or disposable clothing<\/h3>\n

For heavy contamination, a disposable Tyvek suit avoids transporting contaminants to the rest of the house. Otherwise, dedicated clothes should be washed immediately after the intervention at a minimum of 60\u00b0C. <\/p>\n

Questions<\/h2>\n

What are the first signs of a mouse infestation?<\/h3>\n

Five practical signs appear in the weeks following the arrival of a mouse:<\/p>\n