Rat Droppings - How to Identify and Clean Rat Poop

Rat and mice droppings are one of the most unpleasant sights you can see in your home. If you have any, then you have a rodent infestation and need to do something about it ASAP.

Read more about rats >

Are rat droppings dangerous to dogs?

Rat droppings are very dangerous for humans, but they can be just as dangerous for dogs as well. Dogs can easily get infected with 6 potentially lethal diseases from rat faeces:

• Leptospirosis;
• Toxoplasmosis;
• Rat Bite Fever;
• Tularemia or Rabbit Fever;
• Roundworm;
• The Plague.

If preventative measures aren't taken as fast as possible, even your pets can be in danger.

Are rat faeces dangerous to clean if you're pregnant?

Yes! If you are expecting a baby and accidentally got in direct contact with rat droppings, it's important to visit a doctor right away. Your health might be in danger and also, the health of your unborn child.

How to Identify Rat Faeces?

It’s not hard to identify the rodent’s faeces when your property suffers from a rat infestation - you may notice tiny dark pellets of poop scattered everywhere. But, how do you know if these faeces belong to a rat and not a mouse? There’s a simple way to identify them:

• Rat faeces are found in large groupings. They are about the size and shape of an olive and can often be found near insulations.
• Mouse faeces, on the other hand, are much smaller than an olive. They are elongated and with a sharp end.

Read more about mice droppings.

Do Rat Droppings Smell?

Yes, they do. However, rat urine has a much more noticeable smell. If you have rat faeces in your home, you’ll definitely have rat urine too. So, the bad odour will most probably be coming from the urine.

How to Identify if the Droppings Are Fresh or Old?

Fresh rat poop is dark and shiny. Old droppings are grey and dusty. If you find only the latter, then, it might be the case that these are remnants from a previous infestation.

What’s the Difference Between Rat Droppings And Squirrel Poop?

Rat and squirrel droppings are the same in size and shape. The only difference is the location you may find them in. Rats use their excrements to mark their territory, so the faeces are always scattered. In contrast, squirrels usually defecate in the same spot. Regardless of the type of rodent infestation in your home, you should get professional rat control service.

Contact with rat droppings is dangerous because you can get infected with Hantavirus.

How to Safely Clean Rat Droppings?

1. Open the doors and windows. Ventilate the room for at least 30 minutes before you begin cleaning.
2. Wear protective gear. Use rubber gloves, so you don't touch the waste directly; a face mask, so you don't inhale the dust (as we said, diseases can be transmitted by inhaling polluted dust); even consider wearing protective goggles, so contaminated dust doesn’t get into your eyes.
3. Spray with a 10% chlorine bleach solution. Mix 360 millilitres of chlorine bleach with 5 litres of hot water and spray the droppings with the solution. Don't sweep or vacuum, as this will release pathogens into the air and/or trap said pathogens on your broom or in your vacuum cleaner.
4. Pick up the droppings with a paper towel. Then, place them in a plastic bag with a sealer. Put the paper towel in a plastic bag with a sealer, as well. Dispose of the plastic bags outside of your home.
5. Wipe all floors and surfaces with disinfectant. Use the same solution of 10% chlorine bleach. Use a paper towel to dry.
6. Wash your hands. Use hot water and a disinfectant to clean your hands. Don't forget to scrub under your nails and around your wrists.

Not sure if you have rats?