Photo Album: Mice Mess in Leonardo, NJ
Crawl space insulation destroyed by rodents in Leonardo
Upon inspection, I determined that the droppings were left there by mice, and some larger droppings were likely those of squirrels. Mouse droppings tend to be grouped in clusters near their breeding and nesting activity, as well as on and around insulation and other materials destroyed by mice to build their nests.
Mice droppings everywhere in Leonardo, NJ
Besides the mess, the rodents had also thoroughly damaged large portions of her insulation with their urine and droppings, and from burrowing tunnels and runways. Once rodent droppings dry out, small particles can become airborne, which poses a serious air quality hazard. You can develop severe respiratory infections, including hantavirus, breathing in this feces-contaminated air. With this particular infestation, the droppings and urine were so extensive that they produced a foul odor heavy enough to seep into the living areas of the home above the crawl space.
Mice droppings in crawl space insulation
This infestation had created a serious health hazard for the home's occupants, and this infestation had gone on for far too long. We recommended a complete deodorization and sanitization service to clean out the crawlspace and restore the air quality of the home. We also recommended replacement of the ruined insulation panels. Insulation damage is the most common type of property damage that we see with rodent and other wildlife infestations. Once insulation becomes saturated with urine and droppings, it is not salvageable and must be removed.
Close up of mice droppings in Leonardo, New Jersey
Mouse droppings are brown or black and pellet-shaped, and small - no more than one-quarter inch in length. Mouse droppings usually have tapered ends. Rat droppings, in comparison, usually have blunt ends, are larger, thicker, and more rectangular, and are not as clustered as mouse droppings. There were also some larger droppings that indicated possible squirrel activity as well. Those cute little acrobatic squirrels are rodents as well, and cable of causing significant damage should they infest your home. Squirrel droppings are cylindrical and are brown or red, and lighten with age. While all wildlife urine has a bad smell, squirrel urine is particularly noxious (and is an attractant for other squirrels!).