DISASTER RECOVERY FACT SHEET Banner graphic for CDC flier HIGHLIGHTS Surviving rodents often relocate to new areas in search of food, water, and shelter. Remove food sources, water, and items that provide shelter for rodents. Dispose of garbage on a frequent and regular basis inside and out of doors of the house. Thoroughly clean areas with signs of rodent activity to scale back the likelihood of exposure to germs and diseases.
Rats and mice are destructive pests that will spread disease, contaminate food, and destroy property. After a disaster, the amount of rats and mice is usually reduced, so illness or injuries related to rats and other small rodents are uncommon within the short term.
1 Rodents that survive a disaster often move to new areas. it'll take time for rodents to regroup, reorganize their social behavior, become conversant in their new environment, find shelter, locate food and water, and memorize their movements.
Colony building and reproduction will begin only their new ecosystem has stabilized. This typically takes 6 to 10 months under favorable conditions. because the rodent population grows and resettles, people have a greater chance of being exposed to the diseases carried by rodents.
Rodent urine and dander also contain allergens that will cause allergies or trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive persons and quite 9,000 persons are treated in emergency departments annually for rat or mouse bites. Indications that rodents are present—aside from seeing either live or dead ones—are rodent droppings, runways, rub marks, and tracks.
Other signs include burrows, nests, gnawings, food scraps, rat hair, urine spots, rodent noises, insects that are related to rodents, odors from urine, or dead rodents. Rats and mice are different animals and methods wont to control them will differ. The following recommendations will help residents reduce the danger of disease or personal injury related to rodents.
On This Page Precautions to Limit Household Exposure Rodent-Proofing Your Home Cleanup of Rodent-Contaminated Areas or Dead Rodents Precautions for Building Entry After a Disaster References Cover graphic for CDC flyer titled Keep Pests Out shows an outsized rat See Fact Sheet Precautions to Limit Household Exposure Removing food sources, water, and items that provide shelter for rodents is that the best thanks to preventing contact with rodents. Where necessary, control rodents by using an integrated pest management approach that has environmental sanitation, proper food storage, rodent-proofing, trapping, and poisoning.
Inside the house Keep food and water covered and stored in rodent-proof containers. A rodent-proof container is formed of thick plastic, glass, or metal and features a tight-fitting lid. Keep pet food covered and stored in rodent-proof containers. Allow pets merely enough food for every meal, then store or throw out any remaining food.
don't leave excess pet food or water out overnight. Dispose of garbage on a frequent and regular basis. If storing trash and garbage inside the house, do so in rodent-proof containers. Wash dishes, pans, and cooking utensils immediately after use.
Remove leftover food and pack up any spilled food from cooking and eating areas. Do not store empty cans or other opened containers with food residues inside the house. When possible, use spring-loaded traps within the home and doors buildings. Use a little amount of chunky spread or other available food as bait.
(Remember – you're more likely to achieve success trapping rodents if your house is freed from other easily accessible food items.) Place traps during a “T” shape against baseboards or wall surfaces where rodent rub marks, droppings, or rodents are seen. Keep children and pets far away from areas where traps are placed.
Glue traps and live traps aren't recommended. Glue traps mainly catch juvenile rodents, not breeding adults. Rodents caught in live traps and released will likely reenter the house. Outside the house Dispose of debris and trash as soon as possible.
Store woodpiles and stacks of lumber or other materials a minimum of 12 inches above the bottom and as distant from the house as possible. Store garbage in rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids. Store grains and animal feed rodent-proof containers.
Remove any food sources, including animal carcasses, which may attract rodents. Haul away the trash, abandoned vehicles, discarded tires, and other items which may function as rodent nesting sites.
Keep grass short and cut or remove brush and dense shrubbery which will provide rodents cover and protection. Trim tree limbs or shrubs that overhang or touch buildings.
Place spring-loaded traps in outbuildings and in other areas where signs of rodents are found. don't allow children or pets to play near spring traps. Top of Page Rodent-Proofing Your Home Rats can enter the house through a hole the dimensions of 1 / 4. Mice can enter through a hole the dimensions of a dime.
Seal gaps and holes inside and out of doors of the house that are greater than a ¼-inch diameter with any of the subsequent materials: Cement or cement mortar, 19-gauge or greater metal mesh, wire screening, or hardware cloth (1/4-inch or less spacing is preferred), steel wool, heavy-duty caulk or elastomeric sealant, or expanding foam.
Cleanup of Rodent-Contaminated Areas or Dead Rodents Thoroughly clean areas with signs of rodent activity to scale back the likelihood of exposure to germs and diseases. When cleaning, don't stir dust when sweeping or vacuuming up droppings, urine, or nesting materials.
Cleanup of Contaminated Surfaces Does not vacuum or sweep rodent urine, droppings, or contaminated surfaces unless they need to be disinfected. Wear rubber or plastic gloves if you would like to touch dead rodents, traps, or rodent droppings.
Spray rodent urine or droppings with a disinfectant or a 1:10 chlorine solution (1½ cups of household bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water) until thoroughly soaked. Let it soak for five minutes.
Use a towel to select up the urine and therefore the droppings and discard it outdoors during a sealed garbage container.
After the rodent droppings and urine are removed, disinfect items that may are contaminated. Cleanup of Dead Rodents Checks traps regularly. Spray dead rodents with a disinfectant or 1:10 chlorine solution (1½ cups of household bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water). Wear rubber or plastic gloves.
Take the rodent out of the trap by lifting the spring-loaded ingot and letting the animal fall under a bag, then seal the bag, OR place the whole trap and dead rodent into a bag, then seal the bag. Place the rodent or entire trap and rodent into a second bag and seal it. Promptly eliminate the sealed double bag during a properly sealed outdoor ashcan.
Wash gloved hands with soap and water or spray a disinfectant or bleach solution on gloves before taking them off. After removing gloves, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water (or use a waterless alcohol-based hand gel when soap and water aren't available and hands aren't visibly soiled).
If the trap is going to be reused, decontaminate it by immersing and washing it during a disinfectant or 1:10 chlorine solution (1½ cups of household bleach with 1 gallon of water) and rinsing well afterward. Continue trapping for a minimum of 1 week after the last rodent is caught.
If rodents still be a drag, consider contacting a knowledgeable pest control operator for help. Top of Page Precautions for Building Entry After a Disaster Damaged or abandoned homes and other buildings could also be infested with rodents.
If buildings are abandoned for an extended period of your time, it's going to be helpful to air them out for 2-3 days before reentering. If you see signs of rodents, the building will got to be thoroughly cleaned. Contact your local health department for guidance on cleaning in these situations.
Do not vacuum or sweep rodent urine, rodent droppings, or contaminated surfaces that haven't been disinfected.
Spray urine and droppings with a disinfectant or a 1:10 chlorine solution (1½ cups of household bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water) until thoroughly soaked.
Let it soak for five minutes. Use a towel to get rid of urine and droppings. Discard the towel outdoors during a sealed garbage container.
Comments