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Post by timetochange on Nov 9, 2008 18:24:42 GMT -5
Ok. I have two rooms I am tackling (level 2/3), where I am finding alot of old mouse droppings on the carpet. I *hope* there are not any live mice hiding for me to find! Or dead ones for that matter. I have a seperate vaccume that is ONLY for droppings and NOT for any other room that is "clear" of them. I am not touching with my bare hands. ALmost everything is going directly into contractor bags. A very few items will be washed and bleached. The issue is that in these two areas I can't rip up the carpet it right now. So how to I "disinfect" the carpet? Vinegar? Bleach (will make the carpet funky and messed up)? Carpet shampoo? Pet eznyme spray? I would like to make sure that it REALLY cleans/disinfects the carpet somehow... but I also have cats and kids and dont want anyone to get sick. I might be able to rip out the carpet in the next year (maybe sooner).... but for now I just need to do what I can for the moment. As best I can. One room is just a few corners. The other room I have NO idea just how bad it is, I am still slowly getting through the 3 foot piles. And it's going slow as I am scared that little animals will be jumping out at me or I will put my hand into a dead one. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyways............... what would you do?  ?? THANK YOU FOR ANY IDEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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hopehope
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815 
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Post by hopehope on Nov 9, 2008 18:28:33 GMT -5
can't help at the moment, except to tell you that you're not the only one. which would have helped me.
hang in!
keep posting
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Post by timetochange on Nov 9, 2008 18:41:37 GMT -5
Its awesome to be ABLE to even post this question without worry of judgement!
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Post by limegreen on Nov 9, 2008 19:53:07 GMT -5
Perhaps use one of those cleaners designed for pet messes? I know the mice aren't pets, but the poop is just the same. And then maybe hire a steam rug cleaner? I doubt much would survive that treatment.
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Post by UdderChaos on Nov 9, 2008 20:19:00 GMT -5
Be VERY CAREFUL with rodent droppings. Very careful. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is dangerous. Read www.ehs.berkeley.edu/pubs/factsheets/26hps.html Also read this to deal with the droppings. www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/noframes/FAQ.htm  For light carpet contamination, spray with a disinfectant and clean up with a paper towel. For heavier contamination, a commercial carpet clean will do the trick. Try and get as much natural sunlight on the area, as the virus is wiped out by UV rays. You can vaccum as long as the vac has a HEPA filter, according to some sites, but others say it may spore the virus. I'm not sure though. Take every possible precaution. And disinfect the gloves and any outside surfaces after cleaning (outside of the spray bottle, any plastic bags used, etc) |
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Blackswan
Banned
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 6,388
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Post by Blackswan on Nov 9, 2008 23:25:58 GMT -5
Maybe a face mask to avoid inhaling any rodent dropping dust? They sell them for cheap, I have even seen them at the 99 cent store before. My mom buys them for her workers in a foundry for about two dollars a piece. I'm sure they would have them at home depot.
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Post by Magpie on Nov 9, 2008 23:49:36 GMT -5
It may be better to rent a carpet scrubber and use a disinfectant in it. That way, no dust gets kicked up. Still wear a mask while working, as aerosolized particles might happen.
Vinegar isn't a disinfectant - check with a janitorial supply company to see what products they have which might work. It'd need to be low-sudsing so it'll rinse well enough.
Maggie
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Post by timetochange on Nov 10, 2008 1:11:21 GMT -5
I do have a carpet cleaner and a handheld "steamer".
I will wear a mask and have everyone else leave the house. I will spray down what I can and I am going to "sacrafice" a shop vac to the cause.
The half of the room I am worried about, I will no doubt be throwing everything away. Then I need to get up the little "chunks" before I can steam the carpet......... hence why I will sacrafice the shop vac.
Luckily the room does get ALOT of light!
I do spray down with bleach the few times I have found any on a hard surface and then wipe. But with carpet you cant really "wipe".
I knew there was possible health issues........... I just wasn't sure what I should use to clean the carpet after the droppings were gone???
Is regular carpet shampoo good enough?
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Post by razy on Nov 10, 2008 3:26:14 GMT -5
What ever you do will be better than how it has been. If it was me (and it probably has been at some time) I would give the carpet a good vacuum then I would chuck away the dust bag - not the whole vacuum. Then clean with you carpet cleaner if you want.
Do not over think this - just do it! It will be better than it is now!!!
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