Rodent activity starts quietly, then health risks and property damage escalate fast. By the time you see droppings on the benchtop or hear scratching in the roof void, mice or rats may already be nesting, contaminating food areas, and damaging insulation, wiring, and stored goods. The right response protects your family or tenants and also preserves resale value.
How Rodents Make People Sick
Common diseases linked to rodents
Leptospirosis
A bacterial infection that can be present in rodent urine. It can enter through cuts or mucous membranes. Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, and red eyes. Early medical care and antibiotics are important.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
LCMV is spread by contact with urine, droppings, or saliva from infected rodents. It can cause influenza like illness and sometimes meningitis. Extra care is advised around pregnancy.
Rat bite fever
A bacterial illness that can follow a rodent bite or contact with contaminated food or water. Symptoms may include fever, muscle pain, rash, joint pain, vomiting, and headache. It is treated with antibiotics.
Gastrointestinal infections such as salmonellosis
Rodents can contaminate food and food preparation surfaces. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Safe food handling and disinfection are essential during and after an infestation.
For clear public health guidance on rodent related disease and safe cleanup see the NSW Health guide.
How exposure happens
- Direct contact with live or dead rodents
- Contact with urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials
- Contamination of food, utensils, and food preparation surfaces
- Aerosolisation of particles during dry sweeping or vacuuming before proper disinfection
Why Professional Treatment Matters
Risk assessment and safe cleanup
A licensed technician starts with a thorough inspection. We identify species, access points, food and water sources, and the level of contamination. We set a safety plan that protects occupants, especially children and pets. We also outline safe cleanup that avoids stirring up contaminated dust.
Targeted control methods that reduce risk
Professionals combine sealing and proofing with a tailored control program. That can include traps in the right locations and tamper resistant bait stations where appropriate. We select baits based on the site risk profile, label directions, and non target safety. We place and secure stations to limit access by pets and wildlife. We never broadcast domestic baits and we follow label rates and monitoring schedules. The goal is fast knockdown with reduced risk and a plan to prevent reinfestation.
Documentation that supports property sales
Buyers and their inspectors look for evidence that a rodent issue is under control. As a seller, you want dated inspection findings, a treatment map, product labels, and completion notes. You also want proofing photos and a hygiene checklist. This creates confidence, reduces re negotiation risk, and avoids settlement delays.
What You Can Do Today
Immediate safety steps
- Do not dry sweep or vacuum droppings or nests
- Keep children and pets out of affected rooms
- Store all exposed food in sealed containers made of metal, glass, or heavy plastic
- Wipe food preparation areas with an appropriate disinfectant before use
Proofing and hygiene that actually works
- Seal gaps greater than 6 mm with metal mesh, steel wool, and sealant
- Fit door sweeps and weather strips
- Fix screens and cover vents with rodent proof mesh
- Remove clutter, cardboard, and soft goods that make nesting easy
- Manage waste with tight fitting lids and frequent removal
- Eliminate water sources such as leaks and condensation
When to call a licensed technician
- You see multiple fresh droppings or find nests in insulation or storage
- You hear nightly activity in walls or the ceiling
- You find gnaw marks on wiring, pipes, or timber
- You run traps for a week with limited success
- You have sensitive occupants such as young children, pregnancy, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals
Safe Cleanup of Droppings and Nests
This is where many people go wrong. The priority is to avoid creating dust that you could inhale.
Prepare the area
- Ventilate the space by opening windows for 30 minutes
- Wear disposable gloves and a well fitting mask
- Avoid sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings or nesting material
Disinfect and remove correctly
- Spray droppings, nests, and stained areas with disinfectant or a fresh bleach solution at 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water
- Let the area stay wet for at least 5 minutes
- Wipe up with disposable paper towels
- Place all waste including gloves in a sturdy plastic bag and seal it
- On soft items that can be laundered, use hot water with detergent and dry on high heat
- On carpets and upholstery, use steam cleaning or shampoo extraction after disinfection, not dry vacuuming
Disposal and final steps
- Dispose of sealed bags in the outdoor bin
- Wash hands with soap and water after removing gloves
- Re disinfect hard surfaces such as benchtops and handles
Using Traps and Baits Safely
Traps
- Snap traps are humane when used correctly and produce a quick result
- Position along runways with the bait side against the wall
- Secure traps where curious pets or children cannot reach them
Baits
- Always follow the label without deviation
- Use tamper resistant stations secured in place and locked
- Keep stations indoors or in sheltered exterior locations to reduce non target exposure and moisture damage
- Monitor and replenish at the correct intervals and remove bodies promptly with safe cleanup practices
- Discuss active ingredients, resistance management, and non target risk with your technician
If you operate a workplace, also follow local safety guidance for hazardous chemicals and bait use. Keep safety data sheets on site and train staff in handling and emergency procedures.
Property Value and Settlement Readiness
Uncontrolled rodent activity shows up in building reports as hygiene risk, possible wiring damage, and evidence of poor maintenance. That can spook buyers and lenders. Professional treatment and documented exclusion work tell a different story. You can present:
- A dated inspection report with photos and a site map
- Proofing and repair list with before and after images
- Product labels and application records
- Monitoring results and clearance notes when activity drops to zero
These records help buyers move forward with confidence and protect you from last minute re negotiations.
Final Word
Rodents are not just a nuisance. They present real health risks and can undermine a property sale. The safest and most effective path combines rapid professional control, careful cleanup, and tight proofing that stops the next wave. If you are seeing signs of activity, take action now and book a licensed inspection so you can protect your household and your investment.