Knowledgebase
Mice contaminated fertilizer #874129
Asked June 21, 2024, 6:11 PM EDT
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello Frank,
I'm sorry to hear about mice getting into your Ironite and blood meal over the winter.
Here is information from University of Nebraska about how to properly disinfect your shed areas from the mouse excrements.
https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/lancasterextension/9262/54801
Please be advised that rodents (and their droppings) can contain numerous diseases, and you do not want their waste to become airborne and breathed in, so it is best not to sweep or vacuum their mess. There are step by step instructions for how to clean up after them in the publication above. Please make sure to wear all PPE, such as latex gloves, goggles and your respirator.
Considering the fact that you probably now have contaminated ironite, it would not be recommended to use it. Spreading it would likely allow any mousey contaminants to become airborne and could also possibly attract unwanted predators.
I hope this helps, thank you for reaching out to Ask Extension! Goodluck with your clean up and stay safe doing it.
Dawn