The trauma of finding a dead rat inside your house is incomparable. You will never forget that sight and odor, whether it is hidden behind a wall, in the attic, or in the garage. Even if it is unpleasant, what you do next is important for your health and security in addition to your comfort.
To help you clean up safely, reduce health concerns, and avoid more rodent issues, we will go over each step of what to do if you find a dead rat in your home below. Learn how to eradicate rats from your house by contacting a local pest service provider.
What to do if you find a dead rat in your house?
If you find a dead rat in your house, you should take the following steps to keep yourself and your family safe.
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Put on protective gear.
Put on your clothes before you approach a dead rat carcass. Rats can spread deadly bacteria and viruses, such as hantavirus, through their urine, droppings, and even their decaying bodies.
To prevent breathing in airborne particles, particularly in enclosed areas like an attic or crawl space, wear disposable gloves and, if at all possible, a mask.
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Get Rid of the dead rat carefully
Gently scoop up the deceased rodent with a plastic bag. For added protection, consider double-bagging it if it is already decaying or covered in maggots.
Even using a paper towel, avoid touching your bare hands because rats have fleas, and their bodies can still spread illness. Place the bag in an outdoor trash can with a tight-fitting lid after closing it tightly.
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Thoroughly clean and disinfect the area.
You must clean up the place where the rat was found after removing it. Avoid cleaning or sweeping the area as this may emit dangerous particles into the environment. Additionally, use a disinfectant or a bleach-to-water solution to spray the area.
Before cleaning, let it rest for at least five minutes. This helps in eliminating any viruses or bacteria that the rat or any surrounding droppings may have left behind.
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Look for nesting substances, urine, and droppings.
The rat may be dead, yet its evidence may still be intact. A larger rodent infestation can be detected by rat droppings, dark, oily marks along walls or floorboards, and nesting supplies like shredded paper or insulation.
Use the same disinfecting technique to clean any droppings you come across. Avoid interacting directly with them.
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Look for entry points
If you find a dead rat in your house, it is possible that there are more rats there as well. Inspect the outside and inside of your house carefully, paying special attention to the areas around crawl spaces, garages, attics, and roof vents.
It only takes a quarter-sized hole for rats to fit through. Common access points include under doors, around pipes, and in cracks in walls. To stop more rats from entering, seal away anything you find.
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Deal with the Dead Rat Odor
That awful, dead animal scent could continue if you found the dead rat. Days or even weeks may pass while the methane and other gases emitted during decomposition linger in the atmosphere.
Deodorizers and air fresheners might offer short-term relief, but they cannot resolve the problem completely. Think about using a charcoal-based deodorizer or an odor neutralizer close to the afflicted area.
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Keep an eye out for fleas or other animals.
In addition to being awful, a decaying rat can attract other rats, flies, or maggots. Dead rat fleas can spread quickly, particularly when you have pets. You need to consult a pest control expert if you notice fresh bug activity or itchy pets.
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Rat poison should not be used indoors.
Although it may seem tempting to apply bait or poison to get rid of rats, doing so often leads to greater problems. They often perish in hard-to-reach areas like insulation or wall gaps, which may result in a dead mouse odor or, worse, a full-blown maggot and other scavenger infestation.
Schedule an appointment
You likely have a rodent problem if you have discovered one dead rat. Rats are social animals, thus, there is often more than one. A pest control expert will start with a thorough examination to find any active infestations and entry sites.
