Rats and mice are destructive plagues that may spread disease, contaminate food and destroy property. However, the number of rats and mice is often reduced after a disaster. Therefore, diseases associated with rats and other small rodents are not frequent immediately after a disaster.

Surviving rodents often relocate in other areas seeking food, water and shelter. As rodents establish in these areas, they will build colonies and reproduce. Typically, rodents take between 6 and 10 months to reestablish their colonies after a disaster. As the rodent population grows and resettles, the possibility of people being exposed to diseases transmitted by these animals increases. 

The following recommendations are aimed to help residents reduce the risk of disease or personal injury associated to rodents.

Cautions to avoid exposition at home

The best way of avoiding contact with rodents is removing food, water and articles that may serve as shelter for these animals. Wherever necessary, control the presence of rodents through an integrated control program that includes environmental cleaning, food storage, protection against rodents and venom and trap usage.

Inside the house

•    Keep water and food covered and store them in rodent proof containers. A rodent proof container is made of thick plastic, glass or metal and tight lids.
•    Keep pet food covered and store them in rodent proof containers. Serve only the necessary amount for each meal, and then store or throw out any remaining food. Do not leave out excessive amounts of food or water for pets during the night.
•    Throw the garbage out frequently and regularly. If you are going to store garbage or waste inside the house, do it in rodent proof containers.
•    Wash plates, pots and kitchen utensils immediately after using them.
•    Remove food remains and clean any food from kitchen and dining areas.
•    Do not store empty cans or other open containers with food remains inside the house.
•    If possible, use spring traps or mouse traps in the house. Use a small and consistent amount of peanut butter as bait. Place the mouse traps in a “T” shape close to the baseboards or wall surfaces with rodent marks, excrement or where they have been seen. Keep the pets and children away from the mouse traps.
•    It is not recommendable to use glue traps or live traps. The rodents trapped in a live trap will probably get back in the house. The glue traps might frighten the mouse and cause it to urinate, which might increase the risk of disease exposure.

Outside the house

•    Dispose of garbage or rubble as soon as possible. Lumber piles, pieces of wood and other materials you wish to store for later use must be kept at least at 12 inches above ground level and as far away from the house as possible.
•    Store the garbage in rodent proof containers with tight lids.
•    Store grains and animal food in rodent proof containers.
•    Remove any source of food that may attract rodents, including dead animals.
•    Remove garbage, abandoned vehicles, tires and other products that might serve as rodent nest.
•    Keep the grass short and trim or remove bushed and dense weeds that might serve as shelter and protection for rodents. Cut hanging branches or branches that touch the walls of the house.
•    Place spring traps in the outbuildings and other areas with signals of rodent presence. Do not allow children or animals to play near traps.

Rodent-proof your home

Seal any opening or hole larger than ¼ inch in diameter inside or outside of the house with any of the following materials: cement, metallic mesh, wire mesh cloth, steel wool, mastic, expandable foam or any other material used for that purpose.

Cleaning the areas contaminated by rodents or dead rodents

Clean areas with signs of rodent activity thoroughly to reduce the possibility of germ exposition and other diseases. It is important to avoid raising dust while sweeping or vacuuming feces, urine or nest material.  

Cleaning a contaminated surface

•    Wear rubber, latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves if you touch dead rodents, traps or rodent feces.
•    Spray rodent urine or feces with disinfectant or use a 1:10 chlorine solution (1 part of chlorine/10 parts of water) until the area you are cleaning is completely wet. Us a paper towel to gather the urine and feces, place the towel in a sealed bag and throw it out.
•    Do not vacuum or sweep the urine, feces or contaminated surfaces unless they have been disinfected.
•    After eliminating the feces and urine, disinfect items that may have been contaminated. 

Disposing of dead rodents

•    Check the traps regularly.
•    Spray the dead rodents with a disinfectant or chlorine based solution.
•    With the gloves on, raise the metal bar with the spring of the mouse trap, take the rodent out and place it in plastic bag, o place the trap with the dead rodent in the plastic bag, and seal it. Then, place the plastic bag with the rodent in a second plastic bag and seal it as well. Throw away the sealed, double plastic bag quickly.
•    After removing the gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap (use an alcohol based gel, if you do not have running water or soap and your hands ore not visibly dirty).
•    If you are going to reuse the trap, wash it with a disinfectant or chlorine based solution and rinse it thoroughly afterwards.
•    Continue using the traps at least for one more week after capturing the last rodent.
•    If the rodent problem continues, consider hiring a professional plague exterminator.

Potential disease carried by rodents in areas affected by a hurricane

In this page you will find a table with a potential list of disease in areas affected by a hurricane. Many of these diseases are rare. However, residents of these affected areas should know that rodents may seek shelter in the homes after a disaster. Returning residents must be cautious when eliminating urine, feces or nest materials and must take measures to eliminate food and nests to prevent infestation.