Finding a dead rat in your house or garden is horrifying, and understandably so. Dead or alive, rats are infamous disease carriers.
That’s why disposing of a dead rodent requires more than simply tossing the carcass in the bin. More often than not, people dealing with a problem like this unknowingly do things that could expose them to dangerous bacteria and parasites.
How, then, should one handle this unsettling task? Continue reading to find out.
Understanding the Health Risks
Even in death, rodents never stop being a source of hazards. Their bodies and fur could still carry harmful bacteria, such as hantavirus and salmonella.
Moreover, rat carcasses attract other pests, like flies. In return, this facilitates the spread of disease and bacteria even more.
Apart from the health risks they pose, they also emit a strong smell during decomposition. The foul scent can actually permeate the floors and walls if a rat dies inside your house. In effect, this can render your living space uninhabitable.
Effective rat removal helps prevent numerous health conditions, as well as any long-lasting damage to your property.
Acquiring the Correct Tools
Before attempting to dispose of the vermin, you must arm yourself with the appropriate tools and protective gear. You will need:
- Garbage gloves. Use thick, puncture-resistant, and waterproof gloves to avoid direct contact with the body.
- Face mask. It protects you from inhaling any airborne particles or infections. It is especially important to wear one in cases of extensive decomposition.
- Plastics bags. Double-bagging the carcass is one of the most effective ways to control the spread of bacteria or smells.
- Disinfectant. You will need a strong disinfectant to sterilise any surfaces or instruments you use and clean the location where the rat was discovered.
In addition to these items, you also need paper towels or disposable cloths to remove any residue or liquids left behind.
Step-By-Step Guide to Safe Rat Removal
Now that you have everything you need, you mustn’t delay this step any longer. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to it.
Step 1. Find and Assess the Problem
So first, you need to find the dead rat’s location. If it is in the yard or any other open space, removing it should be easy. On the other hand, if the rat is jammed in a difficult-to-reach spot inside your house, it would be wise to call a professional pest exterminator.
Rodents often hide behind appliances or within walls and pipes, where you cannot get to them. If you try to remove the rat from such tricky areas yourself, you risk causing serious damage to your house.
Step 2. Put on Your Protective Gear
Before handling the corpse, put on your gloves and mask. This is the moment when you need to ensure you have taken all the precautions necessary.
Remember that they can be harbouring dangerous parasites, even if they seem to have dried out or rotted.
Step 3. Get the Rat with a Tool
To be on the side of caution, avoid any possibility of direct contact altogether. Picking up the corpse is better done with a long-handled instrument, even while wearing gloves.
A shovel or tongs will do just fine. That way, you can eliminate any chances of contamination from bodily fluids or loose hair.
Step 4. Put the Rat in a Plastic Bag
Next, gently slide the rat into a heavy-duty plastic bag. Double-bag the body to reduce the possibility of odours or bacteria escaping.
Before moving on to the following stages, make sure both bags are properly sealed.
Step 5. Get Rid of the Carcass
Local laws dictate how you should dispose of the deceased rodent. Bagged vermin carcasses can be disposed of in standard household garbage bins in most places.
Nevertheless, you should still double-check with your local waste management authorities to ensure that you are following the correct practices.
Certain cities prohibit the discarding of dead pests in household bins and require that you drop the body at a waste disposal facility instead.
Step 6. Sort and Sterilise
Once the rat has been removed, sterilise the spot it came from. Disinfect the whole region thoroughly with an antiseptic spray. Then, let it sit for at least ten minutes before wiping it with disposable towels or cloths.
You also need to repeat this process for any tools you have used. If you have worn gloves all throughout, try not to touch them with your bare hands when taking them off.
After discarding them, you should wash your hands carefully.
Preventing Future Infestations
Getting rid of a dead rat is one thing. Preventing future infestations is an entirely different beast. Rats are clever animals. If you have one, chances are others will be hiding close by. These techniques help reduce the likelihood of their return.
Seal Entry Points
Look around your house for any possible points of access, and eliminate all entrances that those nasty vermin can slither through.
Rats can fit through small openings in pipes, doors, and walls. Use steel wool, which rats cannot easily chew through, to seal any holes, fractures, or gaps outside of your house.
Eliminate Food Sources
Rats are most attracted to food, so pay close attention to how you store it in your house.
To cut off all of their resources, store dry ingredients in airtight containers and make sure your trash cans are securely shut. Even your furbaby’s food is not safe, so try not to let it sit out overnight.
Keep Your Garden Clean
Rats also gravitate towards thick greenery, where they can hide. Make sure you regularly trim your plants, trees, and bushes to minimise hiding places. Additionally, you should remove fallen leaves, seeds, and fruits on a regular basis, as these are edible delights to them.
When You Should See a Professional
If rodents continue to be a nuisance despite your best efforts, it is advisable to let the pest control professionals handle them.
They will spare you a lot of trouble, especially if you suspect that poison was the reason for the rat’s death. Chemical toxins can stay active inside the body, creating an even higher health hazard.
Furthermore, pest control experts can remove dead vermin from inaccessible locations without compromising the structural integrity of your house.
They will also evaluate the degree of the infestation, set traps, and offer long-term fixes to keep rats away from your house.
Conclusion
While these steps can seem excessive, they are absolutely essential for your protection. Vermin are riddled with parasites, bacteria, and diseases. You must discard them in a hygienic and safe manner.
If the situation calls for professional assistance, do not hesitate to enlist the services of a rat removal expert.
Remember, keeping rats out of your house requires proactive action. So, make sure you seal all entry sites, eliminate all food sources, and always keep your garden clean.
After all, prevention is key to successful rat control.