How dangerous?

[sandave88]

The old farm houseand barn we are getting has been empty for awhile and the rats have kind of taken over inhabiting it. My question is how dangerous is the urine and droppings for us while we are cleaning the place up. We have gone through it several times and left it undisturbed but we will be cleaning so particles will be flying around I am sure. I have seen home improvement shows with the same problem and they wear respirators. Is it necessary? What are my risks?

[bill not in oh]

I'd wear a serious respirator and do it during good weather when you could have the buildings open.

[sandave88]

Do you know the dangers of inhaling it?

[pookshollow]

If you've had white-footed deer mice, there's a risk of Hanta virus - very serious. If there are bats, I think it's some horrible fungus that gets into your lungs. And rats - well, they do carry bubonic plague and who knows what else.

I wouldn't risk it without breathing protection - it ain't worth it.

[myheaven]

I fully agree with pookshollow. Animals carry several very bad desies in their fecal matter and urine. Heavy duty resporators and Id even go woth hazmat body gear and lots of bleach. I HATE bleach but in this case Id use several gallons heavy strenght.

[jen74145]

And perhaps a hazmat suit to go with. Ick.

I'd wear long sleeves and pants tucked into boots, at least, as well as gloves, a breathiung mask, and maybe even eye protection. Who knows WHAT kind of nasties besides rat leavings you'll be dealing with. *shudders*

Oh, and watch out for snakes around the place; no haphazardly chucking debris, alright?

Don't take chances, just not worth it.

[Sand Flat Bob]

I would recommend the breathing protection, etc. in the other messages, but would personally use a good pressure washer to really clean the interior. Would use diluted bleach solution to kill molds etc. Most health departments recommend the bleach solution to sterilize items used in food manufacture. I like it as it is also cheap.

I cleaned up an old garage once and broke out with a severe rash, it was hot and I wasn't wearing a shirt. Think there had been old lawn fertilizer and insecticide stored in garage. After an emergency visit to the doctor, it convinced me to keep all skin covered up and wear breathing protection.

Can't be too careful where your health is concerned.

Bob

Hire a professional cleaning crew.

[keljonma]

Here is a great site for information about rats, getting rid of them and preparing your house and barn to keep them out. Good luck.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74106.html

[Jim S.]

I'd contact NASA and see about renting a space-walking suit to wear! C'mon folks, a common carbon-filter cannister respirator from Lowe's or Home Depot will do the trick. Costs about $25. You can clean the place up wearing your overalls, then wash them and you.

The best thing to do as far as "decontamination" is to open it up good to air out and to let the sun in everywhere that is possible.

My barn is nearly 70 years old, and yeah it has some mice and rats. I've been in it every day for 16 years, and I ain't sick or dead yet.

I would suggest you check into a good barn cat from the humane society. Not a pet cat, but one to live in the barn and help you reduce the mouse populatrion. Using all of the barn for livestock also reduces rodents, provided you keep your feedstuffs in sealed barrels with lids, or other containers.

[sandave88]

Hubby is like I will use a broom and thats all. I on the other hand I guess you could say I am paranoid about it. We were clearing yard debris with this heavy duty stihl weed wacker(it hangs from straps around your arms as well as head gear) and all I am thinking is can I run if I see a snake with all this gear on. I think the major reason we have so much rodent droppings is the house was rented out to farm workers who kept a rabbit pin in the house. Well when they left they left a large bag of rabbit food which as we went to see the home has steadily begun to empty. I knew the first time I saw it I should have removed it but it was not our home yet. Just a poor neglected farm house that needs some love and attention. Right now it is a weekend project until our city house sells. How do I post pics? So I can show you all?

[KristineinKS]

You can share pictures by uploading them to a free photo hosting site (I use photobucket.com). Every time you upload a picture, Photobucket will give you 3 code options: 1) A URL link 2) An HTML tag & 3) An IMG Code. Simply copy & paste the image (IMG) code into your message & it will display the picture.

[bachelorb]

Originally Posted by Jim S.

I'd contact NASA and see about renting a space-walking suit to wear! C'mon folks, a common carbon-filter cannister respirator from Lowe's or Home Depot will do the trick. Costs about $25. You can clean the place up wearing your overalls, then wash them and you.

The best thing to do as far as "decontamination" is to open it up good to air out and to let the sun in everywhere that is possible.

My barn is nearly 70 years old, and yeah it has some mice and rats. I've been in it every day for 16 years, and I ain't sick or dead yet.

I would suggest you check into a good barn cat from the humane society. Not a pet cat, but one to live in the barn and help you reduce the mouse populatrion. Using all of the barn for livestock also reduces rodents, provided you keep your feedstuffs in sealed barrels with lids, or other containers.

So does that mean I don't have to wear the hazmat suit when I'm cleaning the manure out of the cattle pen either?????

Right on Jim!!

[Macybaby]

Here is me in my hazmet suit.



Just made it easier to clean up afterwards. Both DH and I use the resperators for all sorts of jobs. Takes a bit to get use to breathing through them, but now I can't stand doing "icky" work without wearing it.

[myheaven]

A hazmat suit is a protective suit that cover and protects your skin. A very simple palstic or other material suit. Not an nasa suit. CAttle and rat manure is totaly diffrent. I wear no protection cleaning my barns but yet its not infested with rats or mice. You have a far less chance to get a major skin rash with a covering. And will be far better off with a resporator. But hey its just me and what I would do and have done. Good luck and enjoy.

[Jim S.]

myheaven, I sure DO know what a hazmat suit is...

Hmmm, what's a good definition of "joke" I that could pass on?

bachelorb, LOL, I see you got it! Yes, yes, carry on cleaning your barn!


sandave88, best of luck to you. I have done what you are doing a few times in life, taking abandoned houses and buildings and rehabbing them. The financial rewards and personal satisfaction are both GREAT!

[LisaInN.Idaho]

We used to live very near the 4 corners area (where AZ, NM, CO, and UT meet) which has the highest incidence of HantaVirus and Bubonic (or Pneumonic) Plague. It is really very rare in the eastern states if thats where you are.
When we cleaned out a mouse infested shed there, we were advised to air out the area well, spray everything down with a bleach solution to deactivate the virus and wet down potentially floating particles.
If you suspect plague (which would be really unusual east of the great plains), wear a good insect repellant (it's carried by fleas) on exposed skin and rubber gloves.

[sandave88]

[sandave88]

[sandave88]