Any tips on removing dead rat remains from balcony tile?

June 8, 2018 6:47 AM

Two questions. Returned home this afternoon after 6 weeks to find a dead rat on my balcony. Picked it up by the tail, (If you're not squeamish, continue after the jump)

which gave me a stiff, dry rat exterior, while leaving a rat body shaped mass on the tile. Between little odor and being jet lagged I'm leaving the rest of the cleanup for the morning.

First question: Is there anything I can pour on the mass tonight to make cleanup easier tomorrow? I have bleach, Pinesol and Windex.

Second question: Are there biohazard concerns that can't be handled by gloves, surgical mask, and safety glasses?

FWIW I live in the tropics. May is typically 33-35C (91-95F) with rain. If anything is feeding on the rat remains they're too small to see. The rat's location is always in shade.

posted by Homer42 to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

I would splash some bleach all over it, if that won't harm the balcony tile. That will kill off any biohazards. In the morning add some soapy water, scrub with a stiff brush or something like that, maybe use a scraper if necessary, wipe up with paper towels, throw everything out including the scrub brush.
posted by beagle at 7:10 AM on June 8, 2018 [1 favorite]

From my memories of living in the tropics, this is going to be no big thing -- most of the grossness will have dried up. I would get some stiff cardboard or similar to scrape any grossly movable detritus up to throw away, and then soapy water and a rag/mop/paper towels should wash any staining off the tile no problem. I wouldn't worry about biohazards.
posted by LizardBreath at 7:11 AM on June 8, 2018 [1 favorite]

Oxyclean the area. Let it sit wet for a bit the enzymes will help break down anything that may have soaked into the tile. Rinse clean then mixed with water to mop the area. If all you have is bleach. Check bleach on a hidden area of tile before use.
posted by wwax at 7:22 AM on June 8, 2018

Cleaning Up After Rodents -- Dead Rodents or Nests, per the CDC

Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves when cleaning up dead rodents or nests.

-- Spray the dead rodent or nest and the surrounding area with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water.
-- Soak rodent, nesting materials or droppings in solution for 5 minutes before wiping up with a paper towel or rag.
-- Place the dead rodent or nesting materials in a plastic bag and seal tightly. Place the full bag in a second plastic bag and seal.
-- Throw the bag into a covered trash can that is regularly emptied.
-- Remove gloves, and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water (or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled).
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:42 AM on June 8, 2018 [1 favorite]