Rodent Control: Get Rats and Mice Out and Seal the Way In

Signs You Have Rats or Mice

Rodents are active at night and avoid people, so many homeowners find evidence, like mice in attic spaces or droppings in a drawer, before they ever see an animal. Match what you’re noticing to the table.

One sighting in daylight often means a crowded population. Call sooner rather than later.

Why Rodents Can’t Wait: Health and Damage Risks

Rodents aren’t just a nuisance. Their urine, droppings, bites and parasites carry real health risks, and their constant chewing damages homes.

• Hantavirus

  Spread mainly by rodents; in the U.S. the deer mouse is the most common carrier. People can breathe it in when fresh urine, droppings or nest material is stirred up, according to the CDC.

• Leptospirosis

  Rats, mice and other animals pass the bacteria in urine, and it can survive in water or soil for weeks to months.

• Rat-bite fever

  Spread by bites, scratches, or contact with rodent urine or saliva. It is treatable with antibiotics when caught early.

• Food contamination

  Droppings and urine on counters and pantry goods can spread bacteria such as Salmonella.

• Fleas and ticks

  Rodents carry parasites into the home; pets can pick them up. See flea control if pets start scratching.

• Fire and repair risk

  Gnawed electrical wiring, chewed pipes and flattened, soiled insulation add up fast.

If anyone develops a fever or breathing trouble after rodent exposure, see a doctor and mention the contact.

DIY Rodent Control vs Calling a Pro

A single mouse in a garage can be a DIY job. Repeat signs, rats, or rodents in the attic or walls usually call for a professional.

The most common DIY failure is trapping without sealing. New rodents walk in through the same gap.

Rodent Control Methods Compared

Most jobs combine several methods. Exclusion is the part that makes results last; trapping and baiting deal with the animals already inside.

Rodenticide rules vary by state, and many pros limit poison indoors so animals don’t die inside walls. Ask how bait will be used in your home.

Trapping: Placement Matters More Than Bait

Traps work when they sit on the routes rodents already use. Rodents prefer to run along walls and in dark, covered spots, not across open floors.

1. Find the routes:

   droppings, rub marks and gnaw marks show where to set traps.

2. Set traps flush against walls:

   with the trigger facing the wall.

3. Use enough traps:

   mice need traps every few feet in active areas; rats need fewer, larger traps.

4. Go high for roof rats:

   on beams, shelves and along pipes in the attic.

5. Allow for rat caution:

   rats may avoid new objects for days, so pros sometimes leave traps unset at first.

6. Check on schedule:

   remove catches promptly and reset until no new activity shows.

Ask the pro how often they’ll check traps and what happens if a rodent dies somewhere you can’t reach.

Baiting and rodenticides: what to know

Bait can help reduce a large outdoor rat population, but it comes with trade-offs. Rodenticide use is regulated by product label and state law.

• Tamper-resistant stations

  locked boxes keep children and pets away from bait.

• Outdoor perimeter use

  stations along fences and foundations catch rodents before they reach the house.

• Seal first

  baiting before entry points are closed can leave poisoned rodents dying inside walls.

• Wildlife and pets

  animals that eat poisoned rodents can be harmed; ask about the product used.

• Removal at the end

  uneaten bait should be removed when control work is finished.

If you have pets, ask whether the plan can rely on traps and exclusion with little or no bait indoors.

Attic Cleanup After Rodents

Once rodents are out, the attic often needs cleanup. Droppings, urine and nests left behind can hold odors, attract new rodents and pose a health risk.

For heavy infestations, the CDC recommends extra protective gear for cleanup, including respirators with HEPA filters. That’s a strong reason to let a pro handle large attic jobs.

How to clean small areas safely yourself

For a few droppings in a cabinet, the CDC lays out a simple wet-cleaning method. Never sweep or vacuum droppings; that can put virus particles into the air.

1. Open doors and windows and leave the area for 30 minutes.

2. Put on rubber or plastic gloves.

3. Spray droppings and urine with disinfectant or a fresh mix of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water until soaked.

4. Let it sit for 5 minutes or as the product label says.

5. Wipe up with paper towels and throw them in a covered trash can.

6. Mop or sponge the surface with disinfectant.

7. Wash gloved hands, remove the gloves, then wash bare hands with soap and warm water.

Heavy contamination, attics and crawl spaces are a job for a pro with the right gear.

How to Prepare for the Visit

A little prep helps the pro find evidence and work faster. Don’t clean everything up beforehand; droppings help identify the species and routes.

• Note where and when you hear or see activity
• Take photos of droppings, gnaw marks and damage
• Clear a path to the attic hatch, crawl space and garage corners
• Move items out from under sinks
• Keep pets in one room during the visit
• Don’t set out poison right before the visit
• Have a list of any food or items you’ve thrown out due to contamination

Typical U.S. ranges from published cost guides (AlwaysDoBetter 2026 pricing guide), not Bastion quotes.

Rodent Problems by Region

Your region shapes which rodent you’re most likely to have. A local pro knows the local species.

Rodent Myths vs Facts

Rodent advice online is full of half-truths. Here’s what holds up.

• MythCats solve rodent problems
  FactCats may catch a few, but they don’t seal entry points or stop breeding
• MythCheese is the best bait
  FactPeanut butter, nuts or dried fruit usually work better
• MythUltrasonic plug-ins drive rodents out
  FactThey aren’t a reliable substitute for trapping and sealing
• MythOne mouse means one mouse
  FactMice breed fast; one seen usually means more
• MythPoison makes rodents leave to find water
  FactPoisoned rodents often die inside walls and attics
• MythSpray foam seals holes
  FactRodents chew through foam; metal and cement last

Why Call Bastion for Rodent Problems

Rodent control is mostly about finding and closing the way in. One call gets that started.

• One number, day or night

  rodents get loud at 2 a.m.; the line is open 24/7.

• Licensed local pros

  pest control licensing is set by each state, and rodenticide use is regulated.

• Fast scheduling

  call to check same-day or next-day availability.

• Know what to leave in place

  droppings and gnaw marks help the pro find entry points, so you don’t clean away the evidence before the visit.

Check the license: before anyone sets traps or bait, ask the company for its state pest control license number and confirm it’s active with your state’s licensing agency.

Rodent Control by state

Local guides with state rules, seasonal timing and licensed providers near you.