Rodent dropping and nest cleanup

What this involves

Rodents leave droppings and urine everywhere they travel and nest: along walls, in cabinet backs, behind appliances, in attic insulation, in crawlspaces and in stored boxes. A long-term infestation in an attic or outbuilding can mean pounds of droppings mixed into insulation. Nests are built from shredded paper, fabric and insulation and are often soaked with urine. The cleanup comes after the pest problem is solved, because cleaning an area that rodents are still using does not last. Stored items are often part of the job. Boxes, bedding, upholstered furniture and paper goods that rodents nested in are usually discarded, while hard items such as tools, dishes and plastic bins can often be cleaned and kept.

Why professional remediation matters

Deer mice can carry hantavirus, and CDC guidance is clear that droppings, urine and nesting material should not be swept or vacuumed while dry, because that sends virus particles into the air where they can be breathed in. Rat urine can carry the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. CDC's recommended approach for small areas is to ventilate, wet the material with disinfectant, wait, and then remove it. For heavy infestations, attics full of contaminated insulation, or closed spaces such as crawlspaces and cabins, the work is larger and calls for respiratory protection, removal of contaminated insulation, and careful bagging.

What to avoid before help arrives

• Do not sweep, vacuum or use a leaf blower on droppings or nests while they are dry.
• Do not handle droppings, nests or dead rodents with bare hands.
• Before going into a closed shed, cabin or crawlspace that has had rodents, air it out first, following CDC guidance.
• Do not start cleanup until rodents have been excluded or trapped; otherwise the area will be recontaminated.

How the work is done

1. Confirm the pest work. We confirm that rodent control and exclusion have been done, by you or a pest professional.
2. Setup. Work areas are ventilated where possible and isolated from living spaces, and the crew uses respiratory protection.
3. Wet removal. Droppings and nests are wetted with disinfectant before removal, so dust is not released.
4. Insulation and materials. Heavily contaminated attic or crawlspace insulation, stored items and debris are bagged and removed.
5. Disinfection. Exposed surfaces are cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-registered product.
6. Close-out. We note where rodents were traveling and nesting so the entry points can be watched.

Waste handling

Droppings, nests and contaminated insulation are double-bagged and disposed of as solid waste in line with local rules.

Afterward

Attics that lose insulation will need it replaced to keep the home efficient. Keep up with the pest professional's monitoring; a small amount of new droppings is easier to deal with early. If anyone develops fever, muscle aches or breathing problems in the weeks after a rodent exposure, tell a doctor about the exposure.

Rules that apply in Tennessee

• OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 · checked 2026-11-03

Where we provide this service

Throughout our Middle Tennessee service area, including:

• Nashville
• Murfreesboro
• Clarksville
• Franklin

Related

• Animal remains removal and odor cleanup
• Bird and bat droppings cleanup
• Self-storage unit biohazard cleanup

Questions