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Rats and Rodents · California Tenant Rights

Are rodent droppings dangerous, and how should I clean them?

Cleaning up droppings the safer way

Rodent droppings can be dangerous because they may carry germs, and disturbing dry droppings can release particles into the air. Health agencies generally recommend not sweeping or vacuuming them dry — instead, air out the space, dampen the area, and clean with gloves.

The safer method is usually to ventilate the room, spray the droppings with a disinfectant or a diluted bleach solution, let it sit for several minutes, then wipe everything up with gloves and seal the waste in a bag. Wash your hands thoroughly afterward, and avoid touching your face while cleaning.

For a heavy infestation with widespread droppings — for example, in an attic, wall cavity, or storage area — professional cleanup arranged by the landlord may be the right call, since it is part of properly resolving the problem. This is general safety information, not medical advice. If droppings are building up because your landlord will not treat an infestation, a free review can help.

This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.

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