Look at the activity and the access.
The pest library describes how rats and mice can damage stored items and reach food through small openings. Describe any sightings, damaged packaging or activity you have noticed around the property. Mention any previous rodent treatment as well.
Controlling an active rodent problem and repairing access points are related jobs. Evict also offers exclusion work, including repair or replacement of foundation, attic and pocket vents. Ask whether both services make sense for your property.
What rodent service covers
- Rats and mice, in homes and businesses.
- An inspection of where rodents are active and how they are getting in.
- Trapping and baiting suited to the property.
- Monthly service for ongoing pressure, or a one time service for a single problem.
- Advice on the openings and habits that let rodents back in. Vent repair is covered under exclusion work.
Signs of rats or mice
- Droppings along walls, under sinks, in drawers or in the garage.
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, wood, plastic or wiring.
- Scratching or scurrying sounds in the attic, walls or ceiling at night.
- Nests made of shredded paper, insulation or fabric.
- A musky smell in a closed room, cabinet or attic.
Rats or mice?
You do not need to know which one you have before you call an exterminator, but the signs usually point one way. Noises in the attic at night usually mean rats. In coastal areas like Long Beach that is often the roof rat, a climber that travels along fence tops and overhead utility lines to reach a roof. Droppings about the size of a grain of rice in a drawer or the garage usually mean mice, and a mouse can get in through a gap as small as a quarter inch. Either way, the visit starts with finding how they get in, because that decides whether trapping will hold on its own or the vents need repair.
Why one visit is rarely the end
Evict's own pest guide puts it plainly: trapping, baiting and poisoning are only the beginning. Long term protection comes from regular maintenance and a plan for stopping access and nesting. That is why rodent service is offered monthly and why exclusion work is its own service.
What happens at the visit
- You call or text, describe the problem and set a time.
- The technician looks at where the pests get in and where they nest, and asks what you have seen before.
- You hear what was found and what treatment is recommended.
- You get an estimate before any work starts.
- You get advice on keeping the pests from coming back.
What affects the price
Evict looks at the property first and goes over pricing before any work starts. Evict's own pest guide lists what moves the price: the pest, how far the activity has spread, the treatment it calls for, how many visits it will take and the size of the property. For rodents that includes whether the property is a home or a commercial space and whether exclusion repairs are part of the plan.
Read more in the pest library: Rats, Mice.
Before your visit
Call or text for instructions specific to your service. Tell us about access to the affected area and anything we should know before arriving.
Questions about this service
Do you handle both rats and mice?
Yes. Rodent elimination includes mice and rats. Monthly and one time service options are available.
Is exclusion the same service?
Exclusion work focuses on access points such as damaged vents. Ask Evict whether your property needs rodent service, exclusion work or both.
How do I know if it is rats or mice?
Mouse droppings are small, about the size of a grain of rice. Rat droppings are larger. You do not need to be sure before you call. Describe what you found and where.
Will you close the holes too?
Ask about exclusion work. Evict repairs or replaces foundation vents, attic vents and pocket vents. Discuss both services when you call.
What should I do before the visit?
There is no separate rodent preparation sheet. Note where you have seen droppings or damage, keep those areas reachable and call or text Evict with any questions.