What homeowners should know about mice & rats.
Rodent activity is more than the animal you happen to see. Travel routes, food, nesting materials, exterior pressure, and building openings all influence the problem. Effective control usually combines population reduction, monitoring, sanitation, and appropriate exclusion.
Signs to watch for
- Droppings in cabinets, garages, attics, or crawl spaces
- Scratching or movement after dark
- Gnaw marks, shredded material, or damaged food packaging
- Greasy rub marks along repeated travel paths
What may be attracting them
- Pet food, bird seed, trash, and pantry goods
- Clutter and stored materials
- Open garage corners and damaged door seals
- Gaps at utilities, vents, crawl spaces, and rooflines
Useful first steps
- Store food and seed in durable sealed containers
- Do not sweep or vacuum dry droppings without proper precautions
- Photograph evidence and note where sounds occur
- Inspect exterior doors and obvious penetrations without sealing active routes prematurely
When to call House Call
Repeated activity usually deserves a closer look.
If the pest keeps returning, appears in multiple areas, creates a health or sting concern, or may be damaging the structure, professional inspection can help you avoid guesswork.
Explore Rodent control and prevention →