2026-10-06 · Austin Parker
Rodents in the Attic: Cleaning Up and Replacing Contaminated Insulation in OKC
If mice, rats or squirrels have been living in your attic, the insulation is usually contaminated with droppings, urine and nesting material. The fix is to stop the animals, seal the entry points, remove the contaminated insulation, sanitize the attic floor and then re-insulate. Adding new insulation on top of a contaminated layer just buries the problem.
Signs of Rodents in the Attic
- Scratching or scurrying sounds at night
- Droppings on the insulation or along joists
- Tunnels and flattened paths through loose fill
- Chewed wiring, duct insulation or stored items
- Odors coming from ceiling vents or the attic hatch
Step 1: Stop the Animals
An active infestation should be handled by a pest control professional. Entry points, often at the eaves, gable vents, roof returns and where utilities enter, need to be sealed with materials rodents cannot chew, such as steel mesh or hardware cloth.
Step 2: Remove the Contaminated Insulation
We use a commercial insulation vacuum that runs from the attic to collection bags outside, so contaminated material never comes through your living space. Learn more about attic insulation removal. Removal typically runs about $0.75 to $2.00 per square foot.
Step 3: Sanitize and Seal
Once the attic floor is clear, it can be sanitized and the ceiling plane air sealed. This is the best opportunity you will ever have to seal top plates, light fixtures and penetrations, because nothing is in the way. See attic air sealing.
Step 4: Re-Insulate
New blown-in insulation goes in to R-38 to R-49. For a 1,500 square foot attic, removal plus new insulation commonly runs about $3,000 to $6,750.
Do Mice Prefer Certain Insulation?
Mice will nest in any loose or soft insulation. The material matters far less than keeping them out. Sealing entry points is what protects your new insulation.
Attic Insulation Elite offers free attic inspections and written quotes seven days a week, 8am to 8pm. Call (405) 400-2050 or request a free quote online.