Pest Library
Rodents
When the weather turns cold, mice and rats look for a warm way in. Here's how to tell what you're dealing with and how we keep them out for good.
On this page: House mouse · Norway rat · Roof rat
Need help now? See our rodent control service.
How rodents get in, the damage they do, and exclusion
A mouse can squeeze through a hole about the size of a dime, and a rat through one about the size of a quarter. Common ways in are gaps around pipes and wires, garage doors that don't seal, foundation cracks, dryer vents and open spots at the roofline.
Once inside, rodents chew wiring (a real fire risk), tear up insulation, and contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and urine.
That's why traps alone aren't enough. Exclusion means finding and sealing the gaps they use with materials they can't chew through, like steel mesh, metal flashing and sealant, so new rodents can't keep replacing the ones you catch.
House mouse
Quick ID
- Small: body about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches, plus a tail about as long
- Gray-brown with a lighter belly, big ears
- Look-alike: young rats, which have bigger heads and feet
Signs of a problem
- Small rice-shaped droppings in drawers, cabinets and along walls
- Chewed food packaging and shredded paper or insulation
- Scratching in walls or ceilings at night
How Pestworx handles it
We inspect from the foundation to the roofline, trap the mice already inside, and seal the entry points so new ones can't follow.
Prevention tips
- Store food, birdseed and pet food in sealed containers
- Seal gaps around pipes and utility lines
- Keep garage doors closed and fix worn door sweeps
Norway rat
Quick ID
- Large and heavy: body about 7 to 10 inches, tail a bit shorter than the body
- Brown to gray, blunt nose, small ears
- Look-alike: roof rat, which is slimmer with a tail longer than its body
Signs of a problem
- Burrows along foundations, under sheds and in gardens
- Droppings about 3/4 inch long with blunt ends
- Greasy rub marks along walls and gnawing on wood or plastic
How Pestworx handles it
We use tamper-resistant bait stations and traps, treat burrows, and seal and reinforce the entry points.
Prevention tips
- Use trash cans with tight lids
- Clean up fallen fruit, birdseed and pet food outside
- Clear woodpiles and clutter away from the house
Roof rat
Quick ID
- Slim: body about 6 to 8 inches, tail longer than the body
- Dark brown to black, pointed nose, large ears
- Great climber, often found up high
Signs of a problem
- Noises in the attic or ceiling at night
- Pointed droppings in the attic or on top of shelves
- Gnawing near the roofline and on wires
How Pestworx handles it
We focus on the roofline and attic, setting traps where they travel and sealing gaps up high.
Prevention tips
- Trim branches back from the roof
- Keep vines off the siding
- Screen vents and seal gaps around the roof
Seeing rodents? Get a free inspection
Call (888) 511-9460 or request a quote online and we will find out what you are dealing with. New customers get $50 off their first service with a 12-month plan.
We serve homes and businesses in Camden, Burlington, Mercer and Gloucester counties in New Jersey, and Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.
New customer offer
Your first service, $50 off
$50 off your initial service for new customers who sign up for a 12-month service plan.
New residential and commercial customers only. Requires a 12-month service agreement. Can't be combined with other offers. Mention this offer when you call or request a quote.More from the Pest Library
