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Prevention Guide

Protect Yourself From Hantavirus

Since hantavirus has no vaccine or cure, prevention through rodent control and safe practices is your primary defense. These guidelines are based on current CDC recommendations.

Before You Begin Any Cleanup
If you find a large rodent infestation in a confined space (attic, crawlspace, cabin), strongly consider hiring a professional pest control service. Do NOT enter or disturb heavily infested areas without proper protective equipment.
Indoor Safety

Protecting Your Home

Seal Entry Points

High Priority
  • Inspect foundation, walls, roof edges for gaps larger than ¼ inch
  • Fill holes with steel wool, then seal with caulk or foam
  • Install door sweeps on all exterior doors
  • Screen vents and chimney openings with fine wire mesh
  • Check where pipes enter the home — common entry points

Eliminate Food Sources

High Priority
  • Store all food in metal or heavy plastic containers with lids
  • Never leave pet food or water out overnight
  • Keep garbage in tightly-sealed, rodent-proof containers
  • Clean up spilled birdseed around feeders
  • Remove clutter that provides nesting sites (boxes, debris)

Safe Cleaning Protocol

Critical — Follow Exactly
  • Ventilate the area: open windows and doors for 30+ minutes
  • Put on rubber/latex gloves and an N95 respirator
  • Mix bleach solution: 1 part bleach to 9 parts water
  • Spray droppings, nests, and urine thoroughly — soak well
  • Wait 5 minutes, then wipe up with paper towels
  • NEVER vacuum or dry sweep rodent droppings
  • Disinfect all surfaces the rodents may have touched
  • Seal cleanup materials in double plastic bags before disposal

Trapping & Removal

Recommended Method
  • Use snap traps — most effective and quick
  • Bait with peanut butter or nesting materials
  • Place traps along walls where rodents travel
  • Check traps daily wearing gloves
  • Soak dead rodent in bleach solution before disposal
  • Seal in plastic bag, place in trash or bury
  • Avoid touch-activated sticky traps (rodent may urinate when struggling)
Outdoor Safety

Staying Safe Outdoors

⛺

Camping

  • Camp away from dense brush and woodpiles
  • Inspect cabin/tent before use for rodent signs
  • Store food in rodent-proof containers
  • Sleep on an elevated cot — avoid sleeping on bare ground
  • Air out enclosed spaces before entering
🏚️

Opening Cabins

  • Open doors and windows before entering
  • Ventilate for at least 30 minutes
  • Check for rodent droppings or nesting material
  • Use bleach solution before cleaning any surfaces
  • Wear gloves and N95 while inspecting
🌲

Hiking & Trail Work

  • Stay on trails and avoid contact with brush
  • Wear gloves when moving logs or debris
  • Do not handle rodents alive or dead
  • Wash hands frequently if touching soil
  • Avoid areas with visible rodent burrows
🚜

Agricultural Work

  • Wear N95 respirator when working in barns/grain storage
  • Rodent-proof all grain and feed storage
  • Clean spilled grain promptly
  • Set traps in storage areas before harvest season
  • Report large rodent populations to local health dept
Protective Equipment

What to Wear

N95 Respirator
REQUIRED
Must be properly fitted and seal around your face. Surgical masks are NOT sufficient for hantavirus protection.
Rubber/Latex Gloves
REQUIRED
Protects hands from direct contact with rodent material. Double-glove for heavy cleanup.
Protective Eyewear
Safety glasses or goggles prevent splash of contaminated material reaching eyes.
Coveralls / Tyvek Suit
For heavily infested areas, disposable coveralls prevent carrying contamination outside.
Rubber Boots
Protects feet in areas with heavy contamination. Clean and disinfect after use.
Disposable Plastic Bags
REQUIRED
Double-bag all cleanup materials, dead rodents, and contaminated items before disposal.

Who Is at Highest Risk?

Rural Homeowners
Living near fields or forests increases exposure to deer mice, especially during winter when rodents seek shelter.
Agricultural Workers
Handling grain, hay, or working in barns and storage buildings creates frequent exposure to rodent habitats.
Construction Workers
Disturbing soil and structures in rural areas can aerosolize dried rodent excrement.
Hikers & Campers
Sleeping outdoors or in infrequently used cabins increases the chance of contact with contaminated materials.
Utility Workers
Working in crawlspaces, attics, and rural infrastructure where rodents commonly nest.
Military Personnel
Field exercises in endemic areas with sleeping on the ground in tents or improvised shelters.
Print This Guide
Download or print this prevention guide for offline reference or to share with your community.