Mouse Droppings (sorry if tmi...)

keiko2010

This might be a stupid question but I have to ask...

Last night i found some mouse droppings in the kitchen drawer.  Not thinking anything, I cleaned it myself, without wearing any gloves. 

Then I remembered how mouse droppings could be toxic for people.  So I googled and found some articles online that says mice can carry a disease sometimes that could be transmitted to humans through contact with its urine and feces.

For pregnant women apparently the disease can travel through to the fetus...so they recommended that you ask someone else to clean it for you. 

I'm kicking myself for not thinking before acting...

I mean the amount of droppings were not that much...and I did wash my hands like 4 times after....

Do you think I should be concerned?  I'm really worried now....

huskymomma94

Did you pick up the mouse poop with your bare hands?

BitsKD13

Step away from Google.... ok now let me tell you that you are fine.  You washed up after cleaning up the droppings so no worries there.  I work with mice in a lab.  I have several coworkers who have had perfectly fine pregnancies.  And while yes, we are usually well protected from getting urine and feces on us, that doesn't mean it won't happen on occasion. 

Where I would be worried is what drawer they were in.  If it was a drawer where you keep your kitchen utensils then you may have a minor concern.  If the droppings were in a utensil drawer than wash out everything really well.  Another thing to do is check your kitchen for holes/spaces where the mice can get in from.  Stick some steel wool in there to keep the mice out and you should be fine.

 ETA: even if you picked up the poop with your bare hands YOU ARE FINE since you washed up after.  As long as you didn't suck on your fingers before washing (and even then) you are ok.     

526SadieSadie

I think as long as you thoroughly washed yours hands afterwards you'll be just fine.  Mouse poop is SO small, cleaning up a few turds won't hurt you as long as you immediately washed your hands (read- didn't touch your face or mouth until after washing your hands).

mom2danny

Some mice carry hantavirus.  However, not all do.  You will most likely be ok but if you have any symptoms such as respiratory problems, etc, make sure you go to the doctor.  If you didn't touch the droppings, I wouldn't worry at all.

I would think about getting an exterminator in there too.  Mice are not something you want in your house, especially with a newborn.  We have been having issues with them in our yard.  I would freak out if they came in the house.

 

selenamarino

we had an issue a few months ago with mice.  There is a large field by our house that was cut and cleared and boom...we had mice.  We live in a nice new neighborhood and in three years we have never had a mouse and when I say we got mice I mean I put like four traps in my pantry, one at the back door, one in each bedroom and one in the each bathroom and would check them every day and would feel victory every time I would catch one and it took me almost two weeks to get rid of all the little fur balls.  I still have one in my pantry just to be safe.  ugh..I hate those things.

Anyways, I cleaned everything by myself and haven't had any issues.

MeghanF13

What kind of drawer were they in? I would be more concerned about the mouse urine (they leave urine trails to find their way back to a safe spot/spot with food) on whatever is in the drawer. I would get someone to use some industrial cleaning wipes to wipe down my entire kitchen, and to wash everything.

As for the mouse droppings you already cleaned up - did you use your bare hands? Did you wash your hands well after cleaning up? Did you put your fingers in your mouth?

keiko2010

BitsKD13:

Step away from Google.... ok now let me tell you that you are fine.  You washed up after cleaning up the droppings so no worries there.  I work with mice in a lab.  I have several coworkers who have had perfectly fine pregnancies.  And while yes, we are usually well protected from getting urine and feces on us, that doesn't mean it won't happen on occasion. 

Where I would be worried is what drawer they were in.  If it was a drawer where you keep your kitchen utensils then you may have a minor concern.  If the droppings were in a utensil drawer than wash out everything really well.  Another thing to do is check your kitchen for holes/spaces where the mice can get in from.  Stick some steel wool in there to keep the mice out and you should be fine.

 ETA: even if you picked up the poop with your bare hands YOU ARE FINE since you washed up after.  As long as you didn't suck on your fingers before washing (and even then) you are ok.     

 

I know!  Google is my worst enemy...it doesn't help that i'm always anxious and worry about everything.

the drawer doesn't contain any kitchen utensils.  it's mostly cleaning supplies, so nothing that would touch our mouths.  I also sealed off any holes/spaces in the drawer. 

Thank you so much for your post.  I was really worried but I know there's no reason to be...

keiko2010

selenamarino:

we had an issue a few months ago with mice.  There is a large field by our house that was cut and cleared and boom...we had mice.  We live in a nice new neighborhood and in three years we have never had a mouse and when I say we got mice I mean I put like four traps in my pantry, one at the back door, one in each bedroom and one in the each bathroom and would check them every day and would feel victory every time I would catch one and it took me almost two weeks to get rid of all the little fur balls.  I still have one in my pantry just to be safe.  ugh..I hate those things.

Anyways, I cleaned everything by myself and haven't had any issues.

you're so brave!  we have traps in the kitchen too but i never dare to go near it.  my husband usually takes care of the dead mice.

they say if you catch one there's usually 6 more crawling around...i hate them and i feel like i have to sanitize the whole house just to feel clean again...

keiko2010

BitsKD13:

Step away from Google.... ok now let me tell you that you are fine.  You washed up after cleaning up the droppings so no worries there.  I work with mice in a lab.  I have several coworkers who have had perfectly fine pregnancies.  And while yes, we are usually well protected from getting urine and feces on us, that doesn't mean it won't happen on occasion. 

Where I would be worried is what drawer they were in.  If it was a drawer where you keep your kitchen utensils then you may have a minor concern.  If the droppings were in a utensil drawer than wash out everything really well.  Another thing to do is check your kitchen for holes/spaces where the mice can get in from.  Stick some steel wool in there to keep the mice out and you should be fine.

 ETA: even if you picked up the poop with your bare hands YOU ARE FINE since you washed up after.  As long as you didn't suck on your fingers before washing (and even then) you are ok.     

 

Actually, I didn't use my bare hands (I used a broom) until i saw one dropping at the far corner.  I picked it up with my fingers and threw it out. 

I washed my hands, but not right after touching the dropping. 

I'm kicking myself right now, kicking myself hard!!! don't know wth i was thinking...UGH. 

huskymomma94

keiko2010:

BitsKD13:

Step away from Google.... ok now let me tell you that you are fine.  You washed up after cleaning up the droppings so no worries there.  I work with mice in a lab.  I have several coworkers who have had perfectly fine pregnancies.  And while yes, we are usually well protected from getting urine and feces on us, that doesn't mean it won't happen on occasion. 

Where I would be worried is what drawer they were in.  If it was a drawer where you keep your kitchen utensils then you may have a minor concern.  If the droppings were in a utensil drawer than wash out everything really well.  Another thing to do is check your kitchen for holes/spaces where the mice can get in from.  Stick some steel wool in there to keep the mice out and you should be fine.

 ETA: even if you picked up the poop with your bare hands YOU ARE FINE since you washed up after.  As long as you didn't suck on your fingers before washing (and even then) you are ok.     

 

Actually, I didn't use my bare hands (I used a broom) until i saw one dropping at the far corner.  I picked it up with my fingers and threw it out. 

I washed my hands, but not right after touching the dropping. 

I'm kicking myself right now, kicking myself hard!!! don't know wth i was thinking...UGH. 

Gross, but, you are probably fine! I seriously wouldn't let it stress you out.

Cute puppy, btw.

5bears

In the future, soak any mice feces in 50% bleach, let sit for 20 minutes, then clean up with gloves.  That's what we did when we found droppings in the garage last week.  That will kill anything harmful.

BitsKD13

5bears:

In the future, soak any mice feces in 50% bleach, let sit for 20 minutes, then clean up with gloves.  That's what we did when we found droppings in the garage last week.  That will kill anything harmful.

 Dear lord....Really?!?!  

You don't need to go that far.  Wipe down surfaces with a Lysol/Clorox/::enter generic name here:: wipe, wash your hands with soap and water and move along.  Heck if it makes you feel better use the wipes to clean up the droppings.  Unless there is a reported Hantavirus outbreak you don't need to worry that much.  

Now do we use ridiculously powerful, can-eat-through-stainless-steel, disinfectant at work... yes we do.  But that's because it's a research facility and we need to minimize any risk of contamination- and mostly our concern is species specific infections that can affect the research that is done.  

5bears

BitsKD13:

5bears:

In the future, soak any mice feces in 50% bleach, let sit for 20 minutes, then clean up with gloves.  That's what we did when we found droppings in the garage last week.  That will kill anything harmful.

 Dear lord....Really?!?!  

You don't need to go that far.  Wipe down surfaces with a Lysol/Clorox/::enter generic name here:: wipe, wash your hands with soap and water and move along.  Heck if it makes you feel better use the wipes to clean up the droppings.  Unless there is a reported Hantavirus outbreak you don't need to worry that much.  

Now do we use ridiculously powerful, can-eat-through-stainless-steel, disinfectant at work... yes we do.  But that's because it's a research facility and we need to minimize any risk of contamination- and mostly our concern is species specific infections that can affect the research that is done.  

Yes, really.  Hantavirus can really be anywhere.  Yes, the risk is low, but it is still there.  I had a relative die from it and because of that I will always take precautions with mouse droppings.