# Long-term mouse infestation in unfinished basement. I want to remove&replace poop/pee-filled ceiling

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-mouse-infestation-in-unfinished-basement-i-want-to-remove-replace-poop-pee-filled-ceiling/725238>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 15, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-mouse-infestation-in-unfinished-basement-i-want-to-remove-replace-poop-pee-filled-ceiling/725238 "2015-07-15T15:34:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-mouse-infestation-in-unfinished-basement-i-want-to-remove-replace-poop-pee-filled-ceiling/725238/21 "2015-07-16T16:21:17Z")

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Great point. Any suggestions on brand or where I can get more than a chase-after-the-cat sized quantity?

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**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-mouse-infestation-in-unfinished-basement-i-want-to-remove-replace-poop-pee-filled-ceiling/725238/22 "2015-07-16T16:28:43Z")

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Mark Twain once quipped “The coldest winter I ever spent was summer on Shakedown Street”. So if you’re having to heat your basement in summer, then the insulation in the ceiling is a bad idea. If you’re _not_ heating your basement in summer, then the insulation in the ceiling will pay for itself in lower heating bills in the rest of your pad in a few years.

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**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-mouse-infestation-in-unfinished-basement-i-want-to-remove-replace-poop-pee-filled-ceiling/725238/23 "2015-07-16T16:43:38Z")

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> [@Rhythmdvl](#):
>
> Great point. Any suggestions on brand or where I can get more than a chase-after-the-cat sized quantity?

I like [Nature’s Miracle](http://www.natures-miracle.com/products/pet-odor-stain-removers/urine-destroyer-stain-and-residue-eliminator-how-to-remove-urine-odor-smell.aspx). The largest size even comes with a sprayer. They carry it at places like Petsmart.

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**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-mouse-infestation-in-unfinished-basement-i-want-to-remove-replace-poop-pee-filled-ceiling/725238/24 "2015-07-17T11:45:55Z")

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> [@Rhythmdvl](#):
>
> we’re not really in the position to hire someone to do the entire basement at once (between re-insulating and overall square footage it’s quite a bit), so we’re hoping to do this small section by small section over time.  
> .

You do want to rip out all the old insulation at once. Else you might miss their current hiding place. Reinsulating can be done in phases, but get all the old crap out now.

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**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-mouse-infestation-in-unfinished-basement-i-want-to-remove-replace-poop-pee-filled-ceiling/725238/25 "2015-07-17T19:45:27Z")

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> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> I like [Nature’s Miracle](http://www.natures-miracle.com/products/pet-odor-stain-removers/urine-destroyer-stain-and-residue-eliminator-how-to-remove-urine-odor-smell.aspx). The largest size even comes with a sprayer. They carry it at places like Petsmart.

I came in here to recommend Nature’s Miracle too. It’s easily available in 1 and 1.5 gallon sizes, and it’ll remove that urine/feces/ICK smell. Then use the bleach.

I also agree with **Amateur Barbarian** on doing the removal in one session. I don’t think you want to have to store your bunny suit, mask, tap shoes, etc. and then put them back on. Tog up, pull it all out, vacuum, remove contaminated protective gear, then proceed to beer drinking.

ETA: Ninja’d by **Fir na tine**

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