Mice and rats don't need much of an opening, and once they're inside, they're hard to get rid of without closing the doors behind them. The CDC sums up the approach in three steps: seal up, trap up, clean up. Here's how to do each one. For professional help, see rodent control, or start with our overview of pest control in Prattville, AL.
How small is small enough?
The CDC says mice can squeeze through a hole about the size of a nickel, and rats through one about half the size of a quarter. That means gaps around pipes, vents, garage doors and utility lines all count.
Seal up
- check where pipes and wires enter walls, under sinks and behind appliances
- look at foundation vents, crawl space doors, attic vents and roof edges
- check weatherstripping on garage and exterior doors
- plug larger holes with stainless steel or copper mesh, then seal with caulk, as Penn State Extension suggests
Trap up
The CDC recommends snap traps in and around the home. Penn State Extension suggests placing traps flush against walls where rodents travel, snapping toward the wall, and out of children's reach. Check traps daily.
Clean up
- store food, including pet food, in sealed containers
- remove clutter and stacks of cardboard that give shelter
- don't sweep or vacuum droppings, which can stir up dust. Wear gloves and wet them with disinfectant first
The CDC links rodents to diseases including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, rat-bite fever, leptospirosis and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, so cleanup matters as much as trapping.
When to call a pro
If you're still catching mice after a couple of weeks, the entry points haven't been found. A professional inspection covers the roofline and crawl space, places traps or tamper-resistant stations and quotes exclusion work to seal the house.
Signs you still have rodents
- fresh droppings after you've cleaned an area
- new gnaw marks on food packages, wires or wood
- scratching sounds in walls or ceilings at night
- greasy rub marks along walls or pipes where rodents travel
Any of these after trapping means an entry point is still open.
Attics and crawl spaces
Rodents often nest in attic insulation and crawl spaces, out of sight. Contaminated insulation may need to be removed and replaced, and cleanup should be done with gloves and without stirring up dust. A professional can inspect these areas safely and quote exclusion and cleanup together.