What Should I Do If the Home Inspector Finds Rodent Droppings?

RODENT DROPPINGS FOUND IN MY HOME INSPECTION!

As a home inspector, I discover rodent droppings in about 10% of the homes that I inspect. Here in Orange, California, almost all of the droppings are from mice, rather than rats. However, the type of rodent does not mean that the serious health and safety risk is diminished.

THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE YOU MOVE INTO YOUR NEW HOME IF RODENT DROPPINGS ARE FOUND BY YOUR INSPECTOR.

1. The RODENT DROPPING areas should be cleaned and sanitized by a licensed "integrated pest management" company (this typically is not a termite professional). If located in the attic, this will include discarding some or all of the insulation.

2. The same company should implement a trapping protocol to verify that the rodents are not present. Interior areas of the home should not use poisons.

3. Historical entry areas need to be determined and sealed.

4. A RODENT ALLERGEN SAMPLE SHOULD BE COLLECTED IN THE LIVING AREAS OF THE HOME. If allergens are present at any level, the interior of the home needs to be cleaned and sanitized.

The following is additional information regarding rodent health and safety issues:

Rodents search for food, warmth and shelter indoors, often entering homes through small cracks and crevices, especially in the warmer attic areas. The real concern is that these pests can spread diseases and cause serious property damage once inside.

The accumulation of feces from mice and rats can spread bacteria, contaminate food sources and trigger allergic reactions in humans. Realtors and clients often ask me if the droppings are recent. However this is the wrong question to ask, since once fecal matter becomes dry, it can be hazardous to those who breathe it in. Moreover, rodent droppings can spread diseases and viruses, including those listed below.

• Hantavirus– Hantavirus is a potentially life-threatening disease transmitted to humans by rodents—primarily, the white-footed deer mouse. People become infected through exposure or inhalation of infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva, and the chances increase when people are near spaces where rodents are actively living.  

• Bubonic Plague– Also known as the “Black Death”, the Plague is a highly contagious and often deadly disease notorious for killing one-third of the European population during the Middle Ages. Plague is usually spread by the bite of an infected rodent flea and can cause fever, headache and painfully swollen lymph nodes. 

• Salmonellosis– Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning spread by rodent feces, especially through the consumption of contaminated food. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain. Each year, approximately 40,000 cases of Salmonella are reported in the U.S., according to WebMD.

• Rat-Bite Fever– Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a potentially fatal infectious disease spread by infected rodents or the consumption of food contaminated by rodents. 

In addition to health risks, rodents can pose a significant property risk as they have a tendency to destroy insulation in attics and can chew through wallboards, cardboard, wood and even electrical wiring. In fact, rodents cause up to 25 percent of house fires in the U.S. every year.