Rodent control

Rodent control and treatment

When you think about pests, your mind likely shifts to rodents almost immediately. Rodents carry diseases and destroy property with their sharp incisors. They chew through wood and other materials to gain access to your home or nearby property. Beyond that, these rodents tend to make a mess with their droppings. They also crawl around in filth where they pick up parasites and other pests within their fur that cause health problems.

Rodents are prodigious breeders, which means that you could soon end up with a large number of them running around your home. So, if you see one rodent in your home or at your business know that there are probably more hidden away.

So, if rodents are so adaptable and covert, how do you keep them away? If you think that you might have a rodent infestation call a Western Exterminator rodent control expert at 800-937-8398 or contact us online.

Rodent treatment process

We incorporate an integrated pest management solutions (IPM) approach in our rodent removal services, designed to provide effective and environmentally-friendly control and management solutions. Our specialists are trained to get rid of rodents around your property. We understand that not every treatment option is a great fit for your situation. This is why our specialists will start with a property inspection and look everywhere to find where the rodents are hiding. We'll determine if you have mice or rats and then work with you to find the right treatment solution for your needs. 

Western Exterminator offers methods to control and prevent rodents such as:

Rodent repellents, baits & traps

Handling the chemicals in rodent repellents requires the utmost care. There are over-the-counter rodent repellents, but if these repellents aren’t strategically placed on your property, you may not see a reduction in rodent activity.

Rodenticide bait containers or “bait stations” are commonly used in the pest control industry and the key to their efficacy is placement. No matter how effective the bait station is, if it is not placed in the right location, rodents will not enter it. Western Exterminator pest control specialists are trained in proper placement and usage of rodenticides.  We make sure baits are kept out of reach of pets, humans, livestock and wildlife, and when treatment is done, we’ll be sure to remove them entirely. 

We understand that some customers may have concerns about the environmental impact of rodenticide. To ease your mind, here are some key points about rodent repellents and rodenticides:

• If rodents are not present on your property, then there is not a need for rodenticide or baits. Pest-proofing and sanitation are components of our green pest control program.
• Rodenticides are only used when there is confirmation of rodent activity.
• If rodenticide poses a threat to non-targeted animals, like pets and wildlife, extra safety precautions are taken.

Signs of rodents

Often the first thing that homeowners find indicating a rodent infestation is the droppings. If you find them in pantries, cupboards, behind garbage cans and receptacles or anywhere else you might have rodents. You might also hear them scurrying in the walls or see the mouse and rat tracks in dirt around the home.

Here are the top six signs of a rodent infestation:

1. Droppings: mice or rat droppings are one of the most common signs of a rodent infestation.
2. Gnaw marks: rodents can chew through several building materials, including wires and plastic.
3. Nests: rodents nest in secluded areas where there is less chance of disturbance.
4. Rub marks: rodents tend to leave dark grease or dirt marks on areas frequently traveled.
5. Strange noises: scratching noises in the walls often occur at night when rodents are active.
6. Sightings: rodents breed rapidly. If you spot one, it’s very likely there are others.

The difference between the signs of rats and the signs of mice is subtle, but important — size. Droppings, smudge marks, and holes created by rats are larger, because rats are larger. Mice are smaller - chewing smaller holes in walls and leaving smaller droppings behind.

When in doubt, call Western Exterminator. Our rodent specialists can spot these signs and find out which type of rodent is behind them.

How to keep rodents away

One of the most effective ways to keep rodents off your property is to make sure your yard is kept nice and tidy. Also, if you love bird watching in your backyard, take a look at the last tip in this list to know what to do to keep rodents out of your bird feeder!

• Use lids on all of your outside trash cans, compost bins and any other outdoor food containers.
• Keep your landscape nicely manicured so it is free of weeds, overgrown grass and thick brush.
• Trim any tree branches that overhang your home.
• Seal all cracks on the outside walls of your home that are larger than 1/4 inch.
• Never leave over-ripe or rotten fruits, berries or vegetables in your garden.
• If you have a bird feeder, use a catch tray under the feeder to catch bird droppings, shells, and seeds. Line the tray with newspaper and switch it out every night. Rodents are attracted to the bird droppings, fallen seeds, and shells, so this will lessen rodents’ attraction to your feeder. Eliminating this food source will encourage rodents to go elsewhere for a meal.

Mice

Helpful information on getting rid of mice

• Mice control services
• Signs of mice in your home
• How to get rid of mice

Rats

More information about dealing with rats

• Rat control services
• Signs of rats and rat infestations
• How to get rid of rats

Commercial rodent control

We know how important your business is to you and we know how frustrating and disastrous a rodent infestation can be. That’s why we offer our discreet and reliable commercial rodent removal and prevention solutions that will get rid of the rodents and stop them from coming back.

Western’s commercial pest management programs are administered under the oversight of our on-staff entomologists and are guaranteed to tackle even the most demanding rodent problems. With PestConnect, our proprietary portfolio of digital monitoring technology, we are able to leverage the power of the Internet to provide you with the most effective rodent control. PestConnect alerts Western Exterminator at the first sign of rodent activity, so that we can provide faster problem resolution, increased efficacy, and reduced disruption to your business.

Rodent control costs

The costs of rodent control can vary because of a number of reasons, which is why an inspection prior to quoting will provide the most accurate cost. Our rodent control specialist will take into account some of the following factors:

• Size of the infestation
• Size of the property
• Commercial or residential property 
• Number of follow-up treatments required

Frequently asked questions about rodents

Contact rodent control experts today

If you suspect rodent activity on your property, do not hesitate to call the experts in rodent pest control at Western Exterminator. We’ll help get the infestation under control using means that are safe for your family, your pets, and your favorite backyard visitors. To set up an appointment with a Western Exterminator rodent control expert, contact us online or call 800-937-8398 today.