Male mice often urine mark their territory, so it is very common for garages with mice infestations to smell like urine. Mouse urine has a pervading and persistent smell that can be difficult to remove. So, it’s essential to act quickly and eradicate your garage of mice. Once it’s been cleared out, immediate efforts to remove mouse urine must take place.
There are several methods for getting rid of mouse urine odors. You might have to use different methods to treat mouse urine stains, so here’s a variety of ideas that you can try out in your garage.
The 6 Ways to Get Rid of Mouse Urine Smell in Garages
1. Apply Disinfectant
One of the best ways to clean up mouse urine is to use a disinfectant. There are many disinfectants specifically designed to remove animal stains, and you can often find them at your local pet store or in online stores.
When shopping for a disinfectant, look for products containing enzymes. Enzymes help to break down protein in the urine, so it’s easier to scrub them off. When using a disinfectant, make sure to thoroughly soak and saturate the urine stains with the formula so that the ingredients can fully penetrate and break down the urine spot.
2. Bleach and Water Mix
Unlike dog and cat urine, you can use bleach to clean up rodent urine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend using a one-part bleach to a 10-part water solution. Thoroughly soak the area with the bleach solution and let it sit for at least 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes have passed, mop up the area and let it dry thoroughly. If the smell still lingers, repeat the process a second time.
When working with bleach, make sure to follow safe practices. The garage should be well-ventilated, and you should wear protective gear, such as rubber gloves and goggles.
3. Create a Cross Breeze
It’s best to create a cross breeze with any cleaning method you use. A cross breeze helps to circulate air and keep your garage ventilated. The best way to create a cross breeze is to open all the windows and entry points in your garage.
If your garage only has one entrance, install fans on the opposite side of the entrance. The fans should face the entrance so that the air flows towards the entrance.
4. Steam Clean Carpets, Fabric, and Furniture
Steam cleaning is another effective method for deep cleaning your garage. It is a method you should use if your garage has any sort of carpeting or furniture. It’s also useful if mice have gotten into any vehicles. Like disinfectants, you can find several different kinds of cleaners specifically made for removing pet stains. Make sure to follow instructions thoroughly for the best results. You may have to repeat the steam cleaning process a few times depending on how old the urine stains are.
5. Replace Insulation
Sometimes, mice may have burrowed into the insulation in your garage. If this is the case, there’s a great chance that the insulation is soaked with urine. If you’ve thoroughly cleaned your garage and still smell a lingering odor, it could be a sign that the smell is coming from your insulation.
Call an insulation technician to schedule an inspection. Sometimes, the insulation is salvageable. In severe infestation cases, you may have to completely replace it.
6. Use Odor-Neutralizing Items
Several household items can either neutralize or absorb odors. Baking soda and vinegar are common items that neutralize smells. Since urine has a high pH level, baking soda can neutralize it. Vinegar contains properties that break down the urine and make urine spots easier to move. Other odor neutralizers are coffee grounds and lemons. Try placing either of these items in your garage. You’ll have to replace them every few days until the odor disappears.
You can also try using products that absorb odors. A popular odor absorber is activated charcoals. Activated charcoals contain pores that lock smells. They’re also an economic option because you can usually recharge and reuse them by laying them out in sunlight for a few hours.
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How to Prevent Mice From Returning
All your hard work to deodorize your garage would go to waste if you don’t also implement some safety measures to keep mice from returning.
The first thing you want to do is seal any cracks and repair any holes that mice can enter. Reinforce any weak spots that mice can quickly chew through to create an entry point.
Next, cut back any tree branches that are too close to your garage. You’ll also want to clear branches hovering over the roof so that mice can’t land on top of your garage.
Clean up any clutter in your garage to remove any materials mice can use for nesting material. Too much clutter can also create hiding spaces for mice.
Remove all possible food items from your garage or keep them in heavy-duty sealed containers. Food items that mice can eat include bird seeds, dog food, and grass seeds. Move trash cans away from your garage entrance and make sure that their lids lock tightly and securely.
Lastly, you can try placing fake owls around your garage to scare away mice. Some mice will be fooled by them, especially if they look very realistic. Just keep in mind that mice can also learn over time that the owls don’t move and may not try to avoid them.
Conclusion
Cleaning up mouse urine can take some hard work, and it may take some time for the odor to completely disappear. It’ll take a lot of ventilation, disinfecting, and using odor-neutralizing items to combat mouse urine smells.
Once your garage is free of mouse urine smells, make sure to set up some preventative measures to protect your garage from a re-infestation. This will ensure that all your efforts aren’t wasted and your garage remains odor-free.
- Related read: How to Clean Mouse Urine from Wood (7 Ideas and Tips)
Featured Image Credit: MainelyPhotos, Shutterstock
