Rodents

When do mice show up?

Mouse activity tends to increase in late summer and early fall. They don't need a very big opening to squeeze into a crawlspace, and from there, they often have access to pipe chases and utility penetrations. Although it's pretty common to see mice in older homes, if it's a regular occurrence, it is definitely worth fixing.

How do you get rid of rats and mice?

There are two main phases to rodent control when problems show up. After inspecting the structure and talking with the occupants about each situation, we will recommend some combination of traps and/or carefully chosen poison baits to remove the existing population.

Our preferred long-term fix is sealing up the entry points, which usually takes a little bit of carpentry and maybe some masonry. If there are other entry points that we're not capable of repairing, we can usually refer you to an appropriate contractor.

Closing everything up can take a while on an older house, especially if other contractors are needed. In the meantime, tamper-resistant bait stations outside can bridge the gap so a bunch of visitors don't move in over the winter. We check and refill them regularly.

What do you look for on an older house?

Over the last 100 years, the way that we have built houses has changed a little bit, and older houses often have unique entry points. Crawlspace doors and failing masonry are fairly common, but we also need to check for abandoned sewer lines or other utilities that are no longer in use.

Can I do some of it myself?

Maybe you can. Rodent control is not rocket science. A successful rodent trapping program requires some knowledge of rodent biology and behavior. Using rodenticide properly takes tools like tamper-resistant bait stations and an understanding of how toxic the bait is.

To keep rodents from entering a house, some basic knowledge of construction is needed, as well as an understanding of what tools and materials are best suited for preventing rodent intrusion. Sometimes, finding the entry points can be one of the most difficult parts.

One tip: spray foam is quick, easy, and cheap, but rodents will chew right through it if they want to. We don't recommend spray foam as a long-term fix for rodent issues.

How is it billed?

Rodent work is normally separate from our Regular Service Program. Depending on what we find during an inspection, we may recommend some form of ongoing service to keep rodents out of the structure. Often, a cleanout with a handful of follow-ups and some rodent exclusion work is what's needed to get rid of rodents and keep them out.