How Do Professional Exterminators Get Rid of Mice?

How professional rat exterminators get rid of mice and protect your home

What are the common types of mice that infest homes?

Deer mice

House mice

Norway rats (Brown rats)

Roof rats (Black rats)

Understanding mice: Their behavior and feeding habits

How to inspect for rodents?

Warning signs

Access points

Food sources

Areas of habitat

How does an exterminator get rid of mice?

Seal entry points

Eliminate attractants

Bait stations

Glue traps

Why should rats and mice be controlled?

Shop Plant a Tree Contact Us
How do professional exterminators get rid of mice?
Facts & Stats • 5 Days ago

How professional rat exterminators get rid of mice and protect your home


Mice are among the most common and troublesome pests that can invade our homes, often going unnoticed until the damage is done. When these rodents enter your home uninvited, they can quickly cause chaos, spreading droppings, ransacking pantry items, and creating disturbing scratching and squeaking noises at night. If left unchecked, their population can grow rapidly, making it much harder to eliminate them. That’s why it's crucial to address a potential infestation as soon as possible. A professional rat exterminator can provide the most effective solution, ensuring a thorough and lasting removal of these unwanted guests.


What are the common types of mice that infest homes?


When dealing with mouse infestation, it's important to understand the different types of rodents that may be invading your home.


Deer mice


Deer mice are typically found in rural areas and are known for spreading dangerous diseases like hantavirus. These mice prefer natural environments such as forests and grasslands and are rarely found in urban or residential spaces. However, when they do enter homes, they pose a serious health risk.


House mice


House mice are the most common rodent species found in urban and residential areas. They reproduce rapidly, causing significant damage to structures, property, and food supplies. They also spread diseases like salmonellosis, which can be harmful to humans and pets alike.


Norway rats (Brown rats)


Norway rats are known to burrow around building foundations and in moist areas, typically found in basements or ground floors. These rats are more commonly found in lower-elevation areas and are a major pest in both urban and rural settings. They are often attracted to areas with easy access to food and water.


Roof rats (Black rats)


Roof rats are typically found in elevated spaces, such as attics, false ceilings, and high structures. Known for their agility, these rats prefer warmer, coastal climates. They are commonly seen in areas with dense vegetation and can cause extensive damage if not controlled.


Understanding mice: Their behavior and feeding habits


Mice are nocturnal creatures, most active at night when foraging for food and shelter. They are social animals, living in hierarchical groups. Mice are excellent climbers, capable of running along wires, cables, and narrow ledges, and they can jump as high as 12 inches. To navigate their environment, they leave pheromone markers along walls and baseboards. As omnivores, their diet consists of grains, cereals, seeds, nuts, meat, and even unusual items like soap or glue. Mice require very little food and water, nibbling frequently throughout the day and night. As rapid breeders, they can reproduce every three weeks, producing litters of up to 12 pups. Their constant gnawing habits, necessary to keep their teeth from overgrowing, can cause significant damage to structures. These pests prefer dark, secluded areas for nesting, typically near food and water sources like insulation or wall voids. Understanding these behaviors, diets, and nesting preferences helps rat exterminators develop effective strategies for controlling infestations and preventing damage to your home.

Learn More

How to inspect for rodents?


If you suspect a severe mouse infestation in your home, calling a professional rat exterminator is a crucial step. Exterminators are experts at identifying how mice gain access to your home, eliminating them using humane methods, and ensuring they don't return. Professional exterminators use a variety of strategies to assess the severity of the infestation and the best course of action.


Warning signs


The first clue that you may have a mouse problem is warning signs like droppings, which are usually found around food sources such as pet food or dry goods. Mouse droppings are typically black or brown and about the size of a grain of rice. You may also find chewed food bags and even hear scratching or gnawing sounds coming from inside your walls, indicating active nesting and damage to your home’s structure.


Access points


Mice are incredibly adept at finding small entry points. They can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, making it essential to inspect your home for cracks, gaps, or poorly sealed doors and windows. Regular inspections will help identify these vulnerable access points and prevent further infiltration.


Food sources


Mice are not picky eaters and will be attracted to almost any available food, from pantry items to trash. A mouse infestation can often be traced back to food sources, and professional exterminators can help identify where mice are feeding and how to secure these areas to eliminate the attraction.

 

Areas of habitat


Mice tend to nest in warm, soft environments. Insulation within walls is a favorite spot, as are spaces under cabinets and dark, quiet areas like crawl spaces. An exterminator will inspect these areas to locate nests and eliminate them effectively.


By understanding these critical factors, professional rat exterminators can identify the root cause of your mouse infestation and employ the most effective methods to eliminate and prevent future problems.

"Beyond property damage, mice are carriers of several diseases that can spread through direct contact with their urine, feces, or even contaminated food."

How does an exterminator get rid of mice?


Once a rat exterminator identifies a mouse infestation in your home, they’ll take immediate steps to eliminate the pests and prevent their return. The approach may vary depending on the severity of the problem.


Seal entry points


The first task of an exterminator is to locate and seal any entry points mice might be using to get inside your home. Common areas to check include attic vents, basements, gaps in doors or windows, and cracks in walls. These entryways are sealed using durable materials like caulk to stop mice from entering further.


Eliminate attractants


Exterminators also focus on removing food and water sources that could lure mice into your home. This means storing food in sealed containers, discarding any garbage regularly, and keeping kitchen areas clean. Proper waste management and cleaning reduce the chances of attracting rodents.


Bait stations


Bait traps are one of the most effective methods for trapping and removing mice. These traps use appealing food, such as peanut butter or cheese, to lure mice inside. Once trapped, mice can be safely removed. Snap traps, a type of bait trap, work quickly to capture and eliminate mice.


Glue traps


Though often used, glue traps are considered inhumane by many because they cause suffering to the mice. They become stuck to the glue and, without immediate intervention, may suffer from dehydration or injury. Regular checks are required if using this method to ensure humane handling.


Why should rats and mice be controlled?


Mice not only cause significant damage to structures but also pose serious health risks. House mice are notorious for chewing through walls, floors, and even electrical wiring, leading to costly repairs. Beyond property damage, mice are carriers of several diseases that can spread through direct contact with their urine, feces, or even contaminated food. These diseases can be transmitted to humans through bite wounds, the consumption of contaminated food or water, or by inhaling dust from rodent droppings. Additionally, mice can carry parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, which further spread diseases to humans.


Professional rat exterminators focus on eliminating these pests quickly to prevent both property damage and the potential health hazards they bring, using a combination of traps, sanitation, and sealing entry points to stop infestations before they become a bigger threat.

800 72648493
97180072648493
Hide