How to Sanitize Your Crawlspace After a Rodent Infestation
The mice are gone. The traps are empty. But if you look into your crawlspace, the evidence remains: torn insulation, thousands of droppings, and a distinct, musky odor. Leaving a crawlspace in this condition isn’t just gross; it affects the air quality of your entire home.
The “Stack Effect” and Air Quality
Many homeowners assume that what happens in the crawlspace stays there. This is false. Due to the “Stack Effect,” warm air rises in your home, pulling cool air up from the lowest point—your crawlspace. Up to 40% of the air you breathe on the first floor originated in the crawlspace. If that air is filled with mold spores and hantavirus particles from rodent waste, your family is breathing it.
Steps for Professional Sanitization
1. Removing the Contaminants
First, we must remove the physical waste.
- Droppings: We use industrial HEPA vacuums to remove droppings without kicking dust into the air.
- Soiled Insulation: Insulation that has been nested in or urinated on must be bagged and removed. It cannot be cleaned.
- Vapor Barrier: Rodents often chew and soil the plastic vapor barrier on the ground. We remove the old, damaged plastic.
2. Disinfecting and Deodorizing
Once the debris is gone, we treat the structural wood and soil.
- Atomizing Mist: We use a specialized fogger to spray a broad-spectrum disinfectant. This kills bacteria, viruses, and mold spores on contact.
- Enzymatic Cleaners: These break down the organic proteins in urine that cause odors, eliminating the “territory markers” that attract future pests.
3. Restoration
Finally, we rebuild.
- New Vapor Barrier: We install a thick, reinforced vapor barrier to block ground moisture.
- Encapsulation: In some cases, we recommend full encapsulation (sealing the vents and insulating the walls) to create a cleaner, energy-efficient environment that is harder for pests to enter.
Don’t let your crawlspace become a hazard. If you’ve had rodents, call HWCS for a clean slate.