How to Clean Up Bat Droppings
Bat droppings, commonly called bat guano, are commonly found in dark spaces in homes and buildings, especially old structures. The droppings are toxic and can carry a very dangerous disease called histoplasmosis. If you want to clean up bat droppings on your own, you must make sure you follow strict safety protocols, including wearing a HEPA filter mask and protective eyewear and gloves.
Put on your protective gear, which should include eyewear, gloves, and a mask with a HEPA filter.
Spray the fecal matter with a 10 percent bleach solution.
Pick up the droppings with your gloved hand and carefully put them into a heavy-duty plastic garbage bag. Note that when you touch the droppings they will be very fragile, and they could turn to near dust when touched. Try to keep the pieces whole when disposing of them into the bag.
Sweep smaller pieces or dust into a pan using a small, plastic hand broom. When you have swept up all of the pieces and remnants, throw both the broom and pan into the bag to discard.
Fog the contaminated area with an enzyme-based decontaminant that also contains a deodorizer.
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Writer Bio
Jessica Jewell is a writer, photographer and communications consultant who began writing professionally in 2005. Her chapbook, "Slap Leather," is forthcoming from dancing girl press. Her recent work has appeared in "Nimrod," "Harpur Palate," "Copper Nickel," "Rhino," "wicked alice," "Poetry Midwest" and "Barn Owl Review." Jewell was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She earned her Master of Fine Arts from Kent State University.
