Mice Droppings And Cast Iron: A Pest's Paradise?

Mice can be a real nuisance, especially when they decide to relieve themselves in your cast-iron pan. It's a problem many people have faced, and it can be challenging to know how to address it effectively. The good news is that there are several methods to clean and disinfect your pan, ensuring it's safe to use again.

How to clean a cast iron pan with mouse droppings

Mice can be a nuisance, especially when they get into your kitchen and leave their droppings everywhere. If you find mouse droppings in your cast-iron pan, here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean it thoroughly and safely:

Step 1: Remove the Droppings

Start by scraping off and discarding the droppings. If the droppings are green, it means the mouse was poisoned, so be extra cautious and wear gloves while handling the pan. Use paper towels or a disposable cloth to wipe away any remaining debris.

Step 2: Wash the Pan

Wash the pan thoroughly with hot water and soap or detergent. You can also use a small amount of bleach dissolved in water (around a teaspoon) to disinfect the pan. Scrub the pan with a brush or scouring pad if needed. Rinse the pan well to remove any soap or bleach residue.

Step 3: Dry the Pan

Dry the pan completely using paper towels or a clean cloth. Make sure no water is left on the pan, as it can cause rusting.

Step 4: Re-Season the Pan

Re-seasoning your cast iron pan will help restore its non-stick properties and give you peace of mind. There are two common methods: the stove-top method and the oven method.

Stove-Top Method:

• Apply a thin layer of cooking oil (such as vegetable oil or canola oil) to the pan's surface, ensuring it is well-coated.
• Place the pan on the stove over medium heat. The oil should begin to smoke and burn, which is an indication that the pan is being seasoned.
• Turn off the heat and let the pan cool down.
• Repeat this process a few times to build up a good seasoning layer.

Oven Method:

This method is recommended if you want to sterilize the pan at a higher temperature.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Place the oiled pan in the oven and bake for a couple of hours.
• Turn off the oven and let the pan cool down inside.
• Repeat as needed for a better seasoning effect.

Step 5: Final Cleaning (Optional)

If you're still concerned about germs or the pan's history, you can finish by giving it a final cleaning:

• Lye Bath: Submerge the pan in a lye bath or use a commercial oven cleaner (e.g., Easy-Off) to strip the pan and start over.
• Extreme Heat: Build a big fire and throw the pan into it. When the fire burns out, retrieve the pan, re-season, and it's ready to use again.

Remember to always maintain a clean kitchen and store your pans in secure places to prevent future mouse infestations.

How to prevent mice from entering your home

Mice can be a common pest, especially during the winter months, when they come inside to find food and a warm place to nest. They can contaminate your food, chew up wiring, and spread diseases. Here are some detailed and direct instructions on how to prevent mice from entering your home:

Block any possible entry points

Mice can fit through tiny holes—as small as 6mm! It's important to block any holes or cracks that rodents could use to enter your home. This could be as simple as pushing wire wool into a crack or popping a brick in front of a disused pipe. For larger entry points, cover the hole with sheet metal or mesh with very small holes (around 5mm). For gaps under doors, try a bristle strip or an excluder. Don't forget to check that windows and doors seal tightly! You can use caulk to fill small gaps.

Seal any sources of food

Mice are attracted to food sources, so it's important to seal dry food items in your home in sealed plastic, metal, or glass containers. Keep the containers off the floor, on a shelf if possible. The same goes for pet food—keep dry food in bins and store any wet food in covered storage containers.

Keep everything tidy

Leaving crumbs on worktops or dropped pet food on the floor will encourage mice by giving them an easy food source. An untidy house will also provide more places for mice to hide. Keep your lawn nicely manicured and cut back plants that mice could use as shelter, such as ivy or wisteria growing up the side of the house.

Use strong scents to deter mice

Mice have a very sensitive sense of smell, so using strong-smelling substances is a good way to deter them. Peppermint essential oil and clove essential oil have strong scents that will irritate mice's noses and repel them. Mice also don't like spicy things, so putting spicy hot sauce in dishes around potential entry points will stop them from entering.

Use traps and bait

If you already have a mouse infestation, you need to take action quickly to prevent it from becoming entrenched. There are various types of traps available, including humane live traps, snap traps, and pre-baited killer stations.

How to identify mouse droppings

Mouse droppings can be difficult to differentiate from other pest droppings, such as those from rats or cockroaches. Typical mouse droppings most often resemble dark grains of rice, with a length of about 3 to 6mm or an eighth to a quarter of an inch. They are usually found in groups and are tapered at the ends, sometimes coming to a point. Fresh droppings are a darker black colour with a moist sheen, while older droppings fade to a light brownish-grey and become very hard and dry.

The best places to look for mouse droppings are kitchen cabinets, pantries, and other food storage areas. You may even find them in your refrigerator if the seal isn't tight. Other places to check include closets, cabinets around appliances or water heaters, bathroom storage areas, attics, crawl spaces, vents, ducts, exposed pipes, and holes in walls.

Mouse droppings may carry harmful bacteria, diseases, and viruses, so it is important to wear protective gloves and a respirator when cleaning them up. Do not sweep or vacuum areas where droppings have been found, as this can cause particles to become airborne. Instead, carefully pick up the droppings and dispose of them in plastic bags. Use a disinfectant spray on the area and let it soak before cleaning with disposable rags or paper towels.

How to get rid of mice

Mice can be a serious health hazard, causing damage to your home and spreading illnesses. Here are some tips on how to get rid of mice and prevent future infestations:

Identify Infestation

Mice leave several signs of their presence, including claw and chew marks on food packaging and shelves, food debris in unusual places, droppings, and nests made of shredded materials. They are most active at night, so you may hear scratching or scurrying noises in your walls or ceiling.

Seal Entry Points

Mice can squeeze through tiny spaces, so it's important to seal any cracks or gaps they could use to enter your home. Common entry points include pipes, utility wires, poorly sealed doors and windows, and foundations. Use steel wool, wire mesh, or quick-drying cement to block these openings.

Use Repellents

Mice are deterred by strong scents like peppermint oil and clove oil. Soak cotton balls in these essential oils and place them near drawers, cupboards, and entryways. You can also try sprinkling crushed red peppers or using an ultrasonic pest repeller.

Set Mouse Traps

There are various types of mouse traps available, including snap traps, live traps, and electronic traps. When setting traps, wear gloves to avoid leaving your scent, and use attractive baits like peanut butter or hazelnut spread. Place traps close to walls and in areas frequented by mice, such as cabinets and pantries.

Clean and Sanitize

Mice leave traces of urine and droppings, which can contain bacteria and viruses. Always wear gloves and a mask when cleaning these areas. Use a bleach solution to disinfect surfaces and ventilate the space. Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning.

Prevent Future Infestations

To prevent mice from returning, maintain a clean home and store food in airtight containers. Keep floors and counters free of crumbs, and seal pet food bags. Take out the trash regularly and store it in rodent-proof containers.

How to re-season a cast iron pan

If you've found mouse droppings in your cast iron pan, the first step is to remove the droppings and scrub the pan thoroughly with hot water and soap. You can also use a disinfectant such as bleach or vinegar. If your pan has become rusty, you can use steel wool to scrub away the rust or soak the pan in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water for up to eight hours.

Once your pan is clean and dry, you can begin the re-seasoning process. Seasoning is a layer of carbonized oil baked onto the cast iron. This process, called polymerization, gives the pan a classic black patina and helps prevent rust.

• Preheat your oven to between 350-500˚F.
• Use a paper towel or kitchen towel to coat the inside and outside of the pan, including the handle, with a thin layer of oil. Oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil, are best. You can also use melted shortening or vegetable shortening.
• Place the pan upside down on the middle oven rack to prevent oil from pooling. Put a sheet of aluminum foil on the lower rack to catch any drips.
• Bake the pan for one hour. You may need to repeat this step a few times to achieve the desired finish.
• Turn off the oven and leave the pan inside to cool completely.
• Once the pan is cool, wipe away any excess oil with a paper towel.

Your cast iron pan is now ready to use! After each use, be sure to wash it with hot water (no soap) and dry it thoroughly. You can also oil the pan after each use to maintain the seasoning.

Frequently asked questions