Check Your Vehicle Hood for Nests!
Rodents may nest in many different places in cars, which is a potential risk to anyone who uses the vehicle. Nests could be anywhere in the engine compartment, including in the ducts of the vehicles passenger compartment air intake system. This is potentially a danger to humans due to Hantavirus, which is a pulmonary syndrome. Humans can get infected by breathing in hantavirus contained in the droppings of urine of deer mice.
It is always important to take precautions when cleaning mouse nests and droppings. Wear a mask and disposable gloves to remove any nest you may find. If you find a nest in your car, it is best to move the vehicle into the open air, out of the garage, to clean the nest.
Never sweep or vacuum rodent droppings, nests or contaminated areas until after you’ve soaked them with a spray solution. (Recommended is a 1:9 bleach to water solution). This is because the dried droppings and urine containing the hantavirus particles can get into the air, making it easier and more likely to breathe in.
This mouse nest was found under the hood of my car this morning. The mouse had used straw and the insulation around the battery to build its nest. Be sure to take a moment to check your own car!
