After you’ve caught the freeloaders, clean the area with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Rat urine and droppings carry disease, so wear gloves and a mask. This isn’t paranoia—it’s hygiene with a side of self-preservation.
Throw away any chewed food packages—even if they look sealed. Rats’ teeth can pierce plastic, and their saliva leaves bacteria behind. Do not salute the oatmeal bag; it’s a casualty of war.
Ventilate the room for an hour before you deep-clean. Hantavirus is rare but real—like a bad stock market crash, you hope it never happens. Be the person who overprepares, not the one who regrets.
