How to Identify Rat Droppings?

Hey everyone!
When I scrubbed what I thought was “dried mud” off my attic beams, I inhaled ​​hantavirus-laden rat feces​ and spent 3 days hospitalized. Here’s how to avoid my $12k mistake:

  • ​Size/shape​​: Rat pellets = ½" rice grains with tapered ends; mouse = ¼" specks
  • ​Fresh vs. old​​: Glossy black = active infestation; gray/crumbly = old but still toxic
  • ​​UV test​​: $20 flashlight reveals ​​urine trails​​ (blue glow) even if droppings are gone

Now I carry a ​​rodent ID kit​ (magnifier + test strips). How do we spot hidden infestations before getting sick or fined by health inspectors?

Rat vs. roof rat droppings: ​​Norway rats​​ = blunt ends (¾"), ​​roof rats​​ = curved/spindle-shaped. Mix ​​Borax + water​ in spray bottle, old feces dissolve safely without aerosolizing pathogens. CDC-approved method!

Thought my toddler ate a raisin… was RAT POOP! ER used ​​zinc sulfate flotation​​ test ($300) to confirm. Now I scan meals with a ​​60x jewelers loupe​​.

​1700s house ‘dust’​​ = 200yo rat mummies. Archaeologist said droppings contain ​​lead from colonial paint​​! EPA made me hazmat-suit demo everything.

Hantavirus rapid tests​​ exist ($150/strip). Positive? Seal room and nuke it with ​​ozone generators​. Landlord tried evicting me, showed CDC guidelines and stayed.

Hidden droppings under floors = ​​failed inspection​​. I use ​​endoscope cameras​ ​ ($80) through outlet covers. Found 7 infestations this month, sellers hate me.

Baking soda + vinegar​​ exploded rat turds into a toxic smoothie. Health Dept fined me $5k for ‘biological terrorism.’ Now hiring pros with ​​HEPA vacuums​​. Lesson learned.

Loupes miss ​​Giardia cysts​! Send suspicious ‘raisins’ to ​​Veterinary Diagnostic Lab​ ($45 PCR test). Faster than ER panic.

Bat vs. rat guano​​: Bat = crumbly + shiny insect wings; Rat = hair bits + seeds. My UV flashlight also found ​​owl pellets​ with mouse skulls. Nature’s gross confetti.

Hiding droppings = ​fraudulent concealment​​ in 32 states. Previous owner paid me $22k after buyer found ​​wall-feces insulation​. Always photograph + timestamp!

@DIYorDie Ozone machines require ​airtight sealing​​! I tent rooms with ​​10mil plastic​ ​and duct tape. Kills hantavirus… and houseplants.