Rodent control

Rodents: Unwanted Roommates You Didn’t Ask For

There are roommates, and then there are rodents. These uninvited guests bring chaos in tiny, furry packages—chewing, contaminating, and generally making life difficult. Whether you’ve spotted the telltale droppings, heard suspicious scurrying sounds, or caught a glimpse of one darting across the floor, rodents like mice and rats are a big problem for both homes and businesses. Here’s what you need to know to keep these pesky critters at bay, and how to get them out if they decide to invite themselves over!

Meet the Main Offenders

1. House Mouse:
These tiny rodents are common in homes and businesses. They’re small, sneaky, and can squeeze through openings as tiny as a pencil’s width. If you see one, chances are there are more hiding nearby.

• Spotting Them: Gray or brown with large ears and a pointed nose, house mice are typically 2-4 inches long.

• Threat Level: 🐭 Moderate. They don’t usually carry diseases but can still contaminate surfaces and food with bacteria and droppings.

2. Norway Rat:
These hefty rodents are more common in businesses, especially near food sources. Norway rats are bigger than mice, and they need more food to keep their engine running—so they love pantries, dumpsters, and food storage areas.

• Spotting Them: Brown or gray, thick-bodied, and 7-9 inches long with a blunt nose.

• Threat Level: 🐭🐭 High. Norway rats carry diseases, leave behind larger droppings, and are known for gnawing through practically anything, including electrical wires.

3. Roof Rat:
Roof rats are more of a climbing menace and love higher ground. They’re often found in attics, roofs, or trees, and are sneaky about finding ways indoors, especially through vents or gaps in the roof.

• Spotting Them: Sleeker and more slender than Norway rats, with a longer tail and typically black or dark brown.

• Threat Level: 🐭🐭 Moderate to High. Like Norway rats, they can carry diseases and cause structural damage with their gnawing.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

So, how do you know if rodents are throwing a party in your space? Here are the top signs:

• Droppings: Little dark pellets in cabinets, along baseboards, or near food sources are a telltale sign.

• Gnaw Marks: Rodents love to chew on everything, from wood to plastic to wiring. Look for tiny bite marks, especially around food containers or walls.

• Scurrying Sounds: If you hear tiny footsteps in the walls, ceilings, or attics, you may have a rodent visitor.

• Grease Marks: As rodents scamper along walls, their fur leaves behind dirty smudges, especially around baseboards.

• Nests: Rodents gather soft materials like paper, fabric, and insulation to build nests, so shredded materials can indicate a nearby nest.

Tips for Keeping Rodents Out

Rodents are crafty, so blocking them from your home or business takes a little extra effort. Here’s how to make your space a “no vacancy” zone:

1. Seal Up Entry Points
Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime, while rats can make their way through a quarter-sized gap. Inspect your building for cracks, gaps, or holes, especially around windows, doors, and the foundation.

• Tip #1: Use steel wool or metal mesh to block small holes—rodents can’t chew through metal!

• Tip #2: Seal gaps around pipes, cables, and vents. You can use caulk, weatherstripping, or a rodent-resistant sealant.

• Tip #3: Install door sweeps, especially on doors that lead outside or into basements.

2. Store Food Properly
Rodents are driven by their stomachs, so if you remove the food source, you remove the temptation.

• Tip #1: Keep food in airtight containers, especially pet food, grains, and snacks.

• Tip #2: Store garbage in lidded, rodent-proof bins, and take it out regularly.

• Tip #3: Clean up food crumbs and spills as soon as they happen, and don’t leave pet food sitting out overnight.

3. Keep Things Tidy
Rodents love cluttered spaces, where they can hide and nest without being disturbed.

• Tip #1: Clear clutter in attics, basements, and garages—get rid of cardboard boxes and use plastic bins instead.

• Tip #2: Regularly clean areas where food is stored, such as pantries, storage closets, and dining areas.

• Tip #3: Avoid piling up firewood, debris, or dense shrubbery against the outside of your building; rodents love hiding in these areas.

4. Trim Back Vegetation
Rodents like roof rats are natural climbers, so tree branches or vines near your roofline can act as a ladder right into your home or business.

• Tip #1: Keep tree branches trimmed back at least three feet from your building.

• Tip #2: Avoid letting ivy or other plants grow up the walls.

• Tip #3: Keep shrubs and bushes near the foundation trimmed and clear of the ground.

5. Use Rodent Traps and Repellents
While traps won’t solve an infestation, they’re a good way to monitor for new activity or control a small problem.

• Tip #1: Use snap traps or live traps in areas where you’ve noticed activity (just be sure to check them daily).

• Tip #2: Ultrasonic repellents can deter rodents in small spaces, though their effectiveness can vary.

• Tip #3: Avoid poison baits in indoor areas, as they can lead to unpleasant surprises (and smells) if the rodent dies in a hidden spot.

When to Call in the Pros

If you’re dealing with a significant infestation or can’t seem to get rid of the problem, it’s time to bring in the experts. At Kenney’s Pest Control, we know all the hiding spots and entry points rodents use, and we have safe, effective solutions to eliminate them and prevent them from coming back.

Final Thoughts: Keep Rodents Out, Peace of Mind In

Rodents might be sneaky, but with a little vigilance and a few smart habits, you can keep them outside where they belong. If they do manage to slip in, don’t hesitate to reach out to Kenney’s Pest Control. We’re here to handle the mess so you can rest easy, rodent-free.

Our Preferred Tools

Interior Mouse Bait Stations - Residential & Commercial

These bait stations are safety locked and tamper proof to keep your loved ones out of them, but provide ample opportunity for mice to feed on the internal bait blocks and move on their way!

Exterior Mouse/Rat Bait Stations - Anchored

These are our standard exterior bait stations used for both residential and commercial applications. Each key-secured unit holds 4 blocks of bait and is anchored to the ground by a wire tether to prevent animals and children from moving or tampering with the stations.

Exterior Mouse/Rat Bait Stations - Weighted

These exterior bait stations are used for both residential and commercial applications where anchoring is a challenge. Each key-secured unit holds 8 blocks of bait and is weighted by an internal cinder block preventing animals and children from moving or tampering with the stations.