Protect Yourself from Rodent-carried Diseases

Rodents in the home pose serious potential health risks. They contaminate your food, countertops, eating utensils, and bedding with their urine, feces, hair, pathogens, and parasites. Cases of plague and hantavirus linked to rats and mice have occurred in San Diego County. Salmonella, rat bite fever, tapeworms, ringworm, typhoid fever, and typhus are also spread by rodents and have occurred in Southern California.

Rodent control and prevention is the best protection, but when mice or rats have already entered your home, learn how to safely clean up after them–read the instructions below.

Rodent Awareness Prevention is the Best Protection

Do not vacuum or sweep rodent droppings‎!

Diseases can be transmitted to humans from rodents through inhaling polluted air. Refrain from vacuuming or sweeping rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials, as this may release small droplets carrying viruses into the air.
 

D.I.Y. Wet clean up of urine and droppings

Follow the clean-up advice posted by the CDC. This is the same method used by professionals to protect themselves and the families they serve.

Step 1: Put on rubber or plastic gloves.

Step 2: Spray urine and droppings with bleach solution or an EPA-registered disinfectant until very wet. Let it soak for 5 minutes or according to instructions on the disinfectant label.

Step 3: Use paper towels to wipe up the urine or droppings and cleaning product.

Step 4: Throw the paper towels in a covered garbage can that is regularly emptied.

Step 5: Mop or sponge the area with a disinfectant. Clean all hard surfaces including floors, countertops, cabinets, and drawers. Follow instructions below to clean and disinfect other types of surfaces.

Step 6: Wash gloved hands with soap and water or a disinfectant before removing gloves.

Step 7: Wash hands with soap and warm water after removing gloves. Use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available, and hands are not visibly soiled.

Need Rodent Control?

Call or Book Now for rodent control inspection and treatment plan from the only company in San Diego who offers Public Health Certified rodent services. 

Contributor

Garrett Thrasher

Co-owner & General Manager, Thrasher Pest

Garrett Thrasher is the Co-owner and General Manager of Thrasher Pest, where he leads day-to-day operations for the company’s growing San Diego team. With decades of hands-on industry experience, he specializes in termite control, bed bug management, and solving complex pest problems with practical, long-term solutions.

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San Diego's Pest Control FAQs

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What pests are covered in your pest control services?

Thrasher Pest Control provides solutions for a wide range of common pests affecting San Diego’s homes and businesses. Services commonly address ants, cockroaches, spiders, rodents, termites, fleas, and other structural or seasonal pests common to Southern California properties. During an inspection, technicians identify the pest activity affecting the property and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach based on the infestation and conditions present.

Response times depend on scheduling availability and the type of service requested. In many cases, technicians are able to schedule service within a short timeframe after a request is received. During the initial contact, the team reviews the pest concern and schedules the earliest available appointment for inspection and treatment.

Preparation requirements vary depending on the type of pest and treatment being performed. For most general pest services, minimal preparation is needed beyond allowing technicians access to key areas of the home and exterior. For specialty services such as bed bug treatments or termite work, the team may provide specific preparation instructions before the scheduled appointment.

Most pest control services begin with a detailed inspection of the property to identify pest activity, entry points, and conditions that may attract pests. After the inspection, technicians apply targeted treatments to affected areas using methods appropriate for the pest involved. Preventive measures such as sealing entry points, removing attractants, and monitoring pest activity are then recommended to help reduce future infestations.

Thrasher Pest Control offers a limited warranty period after the initial treatment. If the target pest is found again in the previously treated area during the warranty period, technicians may return to re-treat the area according to the service agreement. Warranty eligibility depends on the service provided and the property conditions being maintained as recommended by the technician.