Did you know that contaminants left by animals can linger long after the animals are gone? When you have wildlife roaming around in your home, it’s important to properly clean after their removal. Leaving traces of fecal matter throughout your home is bad news for your health and happiness. But when it comes to wildlife decontamination services, what can you expect and why is it beneficial for your safety?
The Hidden Dangers of Rodent Contaminants
When it comes to wildlife decontamination services, your health and safety is top priority. The risks associated with rodent infestations are often underestimated. While the visible signs of an infestation might be the immediate focus of cleanup efforts, the invisible threats they pose are far more sinister and enduring.
Here’s why eliminating health risks is a critical aspect of post-rodent decontamination:
Lurking Pathogens
Rodent droppings and urine harbor a slew of dangerous diseases that can significantly impact human health. Hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella are prominent examples of the pathogens that can persist in your environment long after the rodents are gone.
Aerosolization of Diseases
Something’s in the air–and it isn’t the fresh fragrance of flowers in bloom. As rodent droppings dry, they can break apart and become airborne, making the disease agents they carry a part of the air you breathe.
This aerosolization process increases the risk of respiratory transmission, turning a simple act of breathing in your home into a health hazard.
Long-Term Health Risks
These pathogens can remain in your home, invisibly clinging to surfaces or lurking in corners, posing ongoing risks to health and safety. You might experience health issues like:
- Respiratory Issues: Inhaling particles from dry rodent droppings can lead to chronic breathing problems and allergic reactions.
- Infectious Diseases: Diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis can develop into severe, long-lasting health conditions.
- Weakened Immune System: Continuous exposure to rodent pathogens can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to other illnesses.
- Gastrointestinal Complications: Salmonella, commonly found in rodent droppings, can cause persistent digestive issues if not properly eradicated.
- Skin and Eye Irritation: Contact with rodent urine and droppings can cause skin rashes and eye irritation, which may persist without proper cleaning.
Battling the Aftermath of Bats: A Specialized Cleanup Challenge
Bats, while beneficial for the ecosystem, can create unique challenges when they decide to roost in human dwellings. The cleanup process after bat removal is critical–not just for structural reasons but for health as well.
Here’s why thorough decontamination is imperative after bats have been removed:
- Hazardous Guano: Bat droppings, or guano, can harbor histoplasmosis, a fungal infection that can affect the lungs when inhaled.
- Difficult to Reach Areas: Bats often roost in hard-to-reach areas like attics or eaves, where their guano accumulates over time and is difficult to remove completely.
- Structural Damage: The acidity in bat guano can deteriorate building materials, leading to long-term damage if not addressed.
Bat cleanup isn’t a process that a homeowner should handle alone. That’s because bats leave behind a significant amount of droppings during breeding season. Don’t subject yourself to infection–call World Class Wildlife for help!
Raccoon Roundup: Dealing with the Aftereffects
Raccoons are clever, curious, and if we are honest, they’re cute. But raccoons can also be quite destructive when they make your home their own. After removing these masked intruders, it’s you’ll need to address the aftermath thoroughly to prevent ongoing issues.
Here’s why professional decontamination is needed after raccoons have been removed:
- Extensive Contamination: Raccoons often leave behind a significant amount of waste, including urine and feces, which can seep into building materials.
- Disease Transmission: These animals are carriers of various diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to humans and pets through indirect contact.
- Odor and Damage: The strong odor from raccoon urine and feces can persist, attracting other wildlife, while their foraging can lead to structural damage.
If you have raccoons raiding your home, call World Class Wildlife for help. We can safely remove the raccoons and perform wildlife decontamination services for an effective cleanup.
Mice and Rats: Cleaning Up After Common Intruders
Mice and rats are among the most common household pests, known for their ability to sneak into the tiniest cracks and make themselves at home. Their presence is not only unsettling but also poses significant health and safety risks. Here’s why a meticulous cleanup is crucial after eliminating these rodents:
- Widespread Contamination: Mice and rats can contaminate food sources and surfaces far beyond their nests with their droppings and urine.
- Disease Risks: These rodents are carriers of numerous diseases, such as hantavirus and bubonic plague, which can be transmitted to humans through direct and indirect contact.
- Persistent Odors and Damage: The lingering smell of rodent urine can attract other pests, while their gnawing can cause damage to wires, insulation, and structural components of your home.
Best Practices for Effective Wildlife Decontamination
After removing unwelcome wildlife from your home, it’s time to restore safety and cleanliness. Employing best practices in the cleanup process eliminates immediate threats and helps prevent future infestations.
Here are the essential steps that we follow for successful decontamination:
- Ultraviolet Irradiation: This method uses UV light to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces, providing a non-chemical, environmentally friendly way to sanitize your home.
- Ozone Treatment: Ozone generators are used to produce ozone gas, a powerful oxidant that neutralizes odors, destroys pathogens, and purifies the air. This treatment effectively removes the lingering smells left by animals, which are often embedded deep within the structure of your home.
- Heated Atomizer Usage: A heated atomizer disperses disinfectants as a fine mist, allowing for deep penetration into nooks and crannies. This ensures that all surfaces, even those that are hard to reach, are thoroughly sanitized.
- Safety Precautions: During these treatments, it is essential for all occupants to vacate the premises. Typically, leaving the house for 4-8 hours is recommended to allow the treatments to work effectively and to ensure the safety of residents and pets.
Get Cleaning Done the Right Way with World Class Wildlife
Not all wildlife decontamination services get the job done right. Often, these companies might opt for quick fixes such as spraying deodorizers or using neutralizers–which unfortunately do not address the root of the problem or ensure proper sanitation.
But there’s no need to stress or fret. At World Class Wildlife, we incorporate all the best practices for safe and effective wildlife decontamination. Get peace of mind knowing that our decontamination services will keep your home clean and safe. Call us now to learn more!