Before occupying abandoned or unused structures, open them up to air out. Do not use these structures if signs of rodent infestation are found. Look for droppings and rodent nests. A rodent nest is usually a pile of materials, such as twigs, insulation, styrofoam, and grass under which the rodent lives. 

Preventing rodents from entering or living around your home is very important. Keeping your yard free from trash, litter, junk or debris, which attract rodents looking for food, cover, and protection from many predators, is the best way to keep rodents away from your living areas. Seal all entry holes to your home that are 1/4 inch wide or wider with steel wool, cement or wire screening. 

Keep tight-fitting lids on garbage cans, and discard uneaten pet food at the end of the day. Set and keep spring-loaded rodent traps. Bait the traps with peanut butter and set near baseboards (rodents tend to run along walls and tight spaces). After trapping, soak the traps thoroughly in disinfectant.

Those involved in cleaning rodent infested buildings or handling dead rodents are at greatest risk of being exposed to Hantavirus and should use proper procedures.

Always wear rubber or plastic gloves when handling dead rodents. Place the carcass in a plastic bag containing a sufficient amount of liquid bleach (3 tablespoons per gallon of water), Lysol^TM, or any other household disinfectant to thoroughly wet the carcass. Seal the bag and then dispose of it by burying in a 2- to 3- foot-deep hole or by burning. Always disinfect gloves (wash gloved hands with disinfectant then in soap and water) before taking them off. After removing gloves, thoroughly wash hands with soap and warm water.

Persons involved in the cleanup of rodent-infested structures should wear rubber or plastic gloves. Spray disinfectant on areas where any rodents have been trapped, where rodent activity has been noted (looking for fecal droppings, urine staining, and nests), and any other items that have been contaminated by rodents. Soak all sweepings and other discarded materials with disinfectant and place in a plastic bag. Seal the bag, then place into a second plastic bag and seal. If there is regular trash pick-up service, dispose of sealed bags in a garbage can with a tight fitting lid. When cleaning floors, minimize stirring up the dust (which potentially carries the virus on airborne particles) by first spraying the area with disinfectant, then mopping the floor (do not vacuum) once or twice with a soap and disinfectant solution. Carpets and upholstered furniture can be disinfected using commercial-grade steam cleaning or shampooing. Disinfect countertops, cabinets, drawers, and other durable surfaces by washing them with a solution of detergent, water, and disinfectant, followed by wiping down with a general-purpose household disinfectant. Decontaminate the cleanup equipment in the same fashion. Launder potentially contaminated bedding and clothing with hot water and detergent, then machine dry on a high setting or hang it to air dry in the sun.

When planning to sleep outdoors, check potential campsites for rodent droppings or burrows.

Do not disturb rodents, burrows or dens.

Avoid sleeping near woodpiles or garbage areas that may be frequented by rodents.

Avoid sleeping on bare ground; use a mat or elevated cots if they are available.

Store foods in rodent-proof containers; all garbage should be promptly buried, burned or discarded in covered trash containers.

Do not use cabins or other enclosed shelters that are rodent infested until they have been properly cleaned and disinfected.

Use only tap, bottled water, or water that has been disinfected by filtration, boiling, chlorination, or iodination for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and brushing teeth