How to clean up after discovering mice, cockroaches and other pests
We may earn commission for the links on this page.
I’ve lived in New York City for 15 years now, and in that time I’ve lived in some truly terrible apartments, as is common for broke post-grads. During this time I struggled Mice And Cockroaches– and the bottom line is that I emerged victorious from these battles. When you see a mouse – which can happen to even the cleanest, most careful person – your first thought may simply be how to get the hell out of your house.
But after the shock wears off, you also need to think about cleaning. Once you have discovered a pest in your home, it is important to clean and remove anything that could attract more of its friends – especially because some pests, such as: B. Mice, can transmit diseases or otherwise make your home unhygienic.
How to Clean After You Have Mice
David Price, Associate Certified Entomologist and Director of Technical Services for Mosquito Joesays Lifehacker that cleaning is an important part of prevention, whether you’ve just gotten rid of an infestation or want to ward off one in the future. This means that some major maintenance work needs to be carried out on the house, such as: For example, it means sealing gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior with steel wool or caulk, trimming the lawn outside, and removing weeds – but it also means just keeping up with the little things, like: B. Quickly clean up spilled food Do not leave pet food unattended.
Over the years, as a city tenant, I have learned my own prevention techniques and have had little to no control over what, if anything, my building does to keep me mouse-free. For example, I use airtight containers for all of my food. Mice are smart and hungry, so a bag or box of food in the closet is nothing more than a little puzzle for them to eat through. A set of four mouse-proof containers like this costs about $20. And when it comes to your pets, don’t pile a pile of food in the bowl and call it a day. Distribute small portions every evening and remove the rest.
As for post-mouse cleaning, you need to thoroughly disinfect every place where the mouse was. Marla Mock, President of Molly Maidsays you should disinfect all counters, floors and other surfaces, and also check areas where they may have been hiding, such as: B. under devices and in cupboards.
Wear gloves and disinfect these areas with a diluted bleach solution. If you find poop, cover it with your diluted bleach solution for a few minutes before attempting to sweep it up. Mice also tend to walk next to baseboards and other low surfaces. You may see some greasy looking streaks. These are nefarious because other mice can see them and be sure that a member of their species was in the same place. Thoroughly bleach your baseboards and any low surfaces, such as table legs or the bottom of appliances.
How to clean after a cockroach or insect infestation
Price, the insect expert, recommends removing all standing water sources after eliminating the insects. Without giving away too many personal details, I have to say that I learned the hard way two years ago that you can’t just leave a leaky shower head alone because it “don’t bother you.” Any wetness can attract something will bothers you. You should also consider any occurrence of an error as a sign of it Tidy up your homesince you want to reduce the amount of whitespace they can hide. Prevention is important here too. So, make it a habit to wipe up any food spills or food waste immediately. I also recommend having a locked trash can to avoid tempting smells.
According to Mock, once you’ve gotten rid of the insects, you should deep clean your entire home by vacuuming, dusting, and wiping down all of your furniture, floors, and baseboards, paying particular attention to corners, cracks, and crevices. Also wash your bedding and linens in hot water to kill insects and their eggs, especially if you suspect bed bugs. (If you suspect bed bugs, it’s worth investigating more specific treatment methods.)
What you should consider when it comes to pests and cleaning
First, if you see a mouse or cockroach, don’t get too excited about it. Like any living creature, they are hungry and cold and follow their instincts by trying to find a safe place to stay and eat. This doesn’t mean you’re an idiot or a disgrace; It just means they found a way in. You also have no control over your building’s pest control measures, the cleanliness of your neighbors, or weather events that force critters that belong outside to run inside. Focus on what you can control, namely pest control and future prevention.
“Most people don’t think about starting outside,” Price says. “They tend to think that the problem is only inside their home. Most of the time, infestations start outside, whether from your trash or overgrown weeds, bushes, etc. It is important to clean up your yard.”
When looking for repellents, keep in mind that some are more serious than others. If you have pets, look for ones marked as pet-friendly. If you spray regularly with Raid, keep in mind that it will drive the insects out of their hiding places and, unfortunately, out into the open before it kills them. Spray before leaving the house for long periods of time to avoid inhaling it, and be prepared to clean up when you get home.
Finally, try to think like a pest when cleaning. By that I mean, don’t just clean what you can see. Take things off the shelves, go under appliances, and think about the places that might be, as Mock calls them, “hidden places.” If you’re afraid of this because, God forbid, you don’t want to find a live bug, call a friend to help you. You can’t just leave it and hope for the best. If you’re really having trouble getting the situation under control, call an exterminator and/or a house cleaning service – and let the cleaner know about the deal in advance to make sure they’re equipped to help.
