How to Clean up After You Notice Mice, Cockroaches and Other Pests
I’ve lived in New York City for 15 years, and during that time I’ve lived in some truly terrible apartments, as poor grad students are known to do. During this time, I fought mice and cockroaches – and, most importantly, I emerged victorious from these battles. If and when you see a mouse—which can happen to even the cleanest and most careful person—your first thought may simply be to get it out of the house.
But after the shock wears off, you’ll have to think about cleaning. Once you notice a pest in your home, it is important to clean up and get rid of anything that may attract more of its friends and also because some pests, such as mice, can carry diseases or otherwise disrupt the sanitation of your home.
How to clean up after mice appear
David Price, Associate Certified Entomologist and Director of Maintenance for Mosquito Joe , tells Lifehacker that cleaning is a key part of prevention, whether you just cleaned up an infestation or want to prevent it in the future. This means performing more serious home maintenance tasks, such as sealing cracks and cracks on the outside of the house with steel wool or caulk, trimming the grass outside, and removing weeds. Do not leave pet food unattended.
Over the years, as a city tenant, I have developed my own methods of prevention, with little or no control over what my building does to keep mice away from me. For example, I use airtight containers for all of my products. Mice are cunning and hungry, so a bag or cardboard box of food in the cupboard is nothing more than a little puzzle for them to eat. A set of four of these mouse-proof containers costs about $20 . And when it comes to your pets, don’t just throw a bunch of food in their bowl and call it a day. Give in small portions and discard what remains each evening.
When it comes to cleaning up after mice, you need to thoroughly disinfect any areas where they may have passed. Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid , says you should disinfect all counters, floors and other surfaces, and check areas where they might be hidden, such as under appliances and inside cabinets.
Wear gloves and disinfect these areas with a diluted bleach solution. If you find droppings, cover them with a diluted bleach solution for a few minutes before attempting to sweep. Mice also tend to run near baseboards and other low surfaces. You may see thick streaks. This is nefarious because other mice can see them and sense that a peer is in the same place. Thoroughly bleach baseboards and any low surfaces, such as table legs or the bottoms of appliances.
How to clean up after an infestation with cockroaches or bedbugs
Price, the insect expert, recommends removing any sources of standing water after getting rid of insects. Without giving away too many personal details, I will say that two years ago I learned the hard way that you can’t just leave a leaking showerhead alone because it doesn’t “bother” you. Any moisture can attract something that will bother you. You should also consider any appearance of insects as a sign that it’s time for you to declutter your home , as you want to reduce the number of places they can hide. Again, prevention is important, so get into the habit of immediately cleaning up any spills or food scraps. I also recommend having a sealed trash can to prevent unpleasant odors.
According to Mock, once you’ve gotten rid of the bugs, you should thoroughly clean your entire home by vacuuming, dusting, and wiping down all furniture, floors, and baseboards, paying special attention to corners, cracks, and crevices. Also wash bedding in hot water to kill bedbugs and their eggs, especially if you suspect bedbugs. (If you suspect bed bugs, it’s worth looking into more specific treatments .)
Things to Remember About Pests and Cleaning
First of all, if you see a mouse or roach, do not scold yourself. They are hungry and cold, like any creature, and they follow their instincts, trying to find a safe place to spend time and eat. It doesn’t mean you’re a slob or a disgrace; it just means they found a way in. You also can’t control pest control efforts in your building, the cleanliness of your neighbors, or weather events that force critters from outside to run inside. Focus on what you can control, which is removing pests and preventing them from occurring in the future.
“Most people don’t think about starting outside,” Price says. “They tend to think that the problem is only inside their home. Most infestations start outside, whether it’s from your trash or overgrown weeds, bushes, etc. It’s important to clean up your yard.”
When you’re looking for repellents, keep in mind that some are more dangerous than others. If you have pets, look for those marked “pet friendly.” If you are going to spray Raid periodically, know that it will drive the bugs out of their hiding spots and unfortunately into open spaces before it kills them. Spray on before you leave the house for long periods of time to avoid inhaling it, and be prepared to clean up when you get home.
Finally, when you’re cleaning, try to think like a pest. By this I mean don’t just brush what you see. Take things off the shelves, crawl under appliances, and think about places that could be what Mock calls “secret spots.” If you’re nervous about 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 alone and hope for the best. If you’re really struggling to get the situation under control, call an exterminator and/or house cleaning service—and let the cleaner know in advance to make sure they’re willing to help.