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A solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water or a disinfecting product that contains phenol (such as Lysol) is known to kill hantavirus and other pathogens found in mouse urine and feces. Simply spray this solution over and around the locations you expect mice to be living and running through, and the homemade disinfectant will do its job to rid your home of any feces and urine particles you could be exposed to.

Because scorpions are active during the night, it can be hard to spot them—they are often hiding while you’re up and about. They could be hiding in holes in your walls, behind large appliances, under your bed, in your closet, or even inside your shoes. But, if you’ve seen one scorpion in your home, chances are there are more waiting in the darkness. If you’re on the hunt for scorpions in your home, invest in a UV light, as all scorpions will glow under UV rays.

If you find a tick inside crawling in the house, remember not to just step on it or try to crush it. Ticks have hard bodies and it’s hard to kill them this way. Instead, pick it up with toilet paper and flush it. You can also place it in a sealed bag, or kill it by placing it in alcohol. 

If the cat is stray (you noticed a collar or other signs of domestication), the kind thing to do is to try and find the owner. Call around to other neighbors to see if they can lead you in the right direction. If you can get close enough to snap a picture, try posting an image of the cat to local community groups and pages on social media. 

If the cat is feral, you can try to humanely trap them and participate in a local shelter’s TNR program. Before attempting capture, call around to local rescues and shelters to make sure one near you does participate in a TNR program. They may even be able to catch the cat for you.