Rat(s) in the polytunnel - cleaning up

MrBrindle

Hi all, posted about this in the In My Home section, but it probably makes more sense being here.

I went out to check our polytunnel before the storm tomorrow, hadn't been in there for a few weeks, and discovered around 20 rat droppings over out rattan sofa which we're storing out there. I'm not going to clean it today, because of the weather and it's tricky to get out, however is this going to be safe to use again? Or am I being paranoid? The sofa is standing upright, so the droppings are inside the sofa and on the upper side. Obviously as well as droppings there will be urine as well, which we obviously can't see. I've seen a rat on our bird table a few times, which doesn't bother me much, however I'm a bit worried now it's been in the polytunnel.

Would people wash this down, and how? Or would they discard it? 

Also in the polytunnel are some big plastic planters which we've used for growing veg and some fruits. Should we empty all the compost out and start again, or is that overkill?

I suffer from health anxiety, so this is making me pretty worried with the diseases rats carry etc.

twopenny

I think disinfecting it would be a reasonable thing to do as its fairly rare for rats to carry disease, much the same as any animal.
I'd get a spray bottle and use diluted Jeyes Fluid, diluted as instructions, and throughly spray the whole thing. Wear rubber/latex gloves and a mask and safety specs because of the spray mainly.
Using a long handled washing up brush give it a through scrub.
Then leave it out in daylight to dry. Sunlight will help to disinfect it.
The cushions covers I'd put in a hot wash or bleach if you can. If not find a way to disinfect. Again put out in daylight.
The inside wash in disinfectant.
This is a fairly hefty trreatment and is 'overkill' but should reassure you.
The pots if you are growing edibles, empty and dispose of compost and rinse the pots with jeyes fluid then water. The rain should do that for you.
I looked online about wild rats and it was largely publicty by pest control or suppliers of goods stating the worst possible scenario as if it was every day.
Of course you need to disinfect. It would be the same if any animal might have urinated. But rats aren't all riddled with disease and the chance they are is small, it would need an open cut on yourself to come in direct contact with a bacteria or to get on your hand into your nose, eyes or mouth as with supermarket trolleys, books and all sorts. 
What you found is not nice but it is normal. Most people wouldn't know. It's good you noticed it can clean it.

MrBrindle

Hiya, many thanks for the reply. 

I think I have some Jeyes fluid lying around the garage somewhere. I had thought about that, but unsure if it was ok on furniture. 

Thankfully we have stored the cushions indoors so they didn't get damp and ruined outside. 

A lot of online instructions scare you, because some of them basically tell you to wear a hazmat suit!

The biggest pain will be emptying the rectangular planters as they're quite big, but probably best be safe than sorry if there's rat urine and droppings been around. 

twopenny

Is the sofa natural rattan or plastic?

Mind I think  a quick spray, scrub and rinse will do the trick without damage. I'd rinse with a hose pipe to ensure getting right into the weave and rinsing out whatever you use.

That is going to be a cold job! But worth it. At least with these winds it will dry out quickly

Yes, big planters are wonderful till you have to empty them. I've fought with a large pot and small tree and never did get it out. I ended up just refilling with new compost.