The first cool fronts of fall are the start of rodent season in North Texas. Mice and roof rats leave the fields, greenbelts and new-construction lots and head for warm attics, garages and wall spaces. A mouse can squeeze through a gap about the size of a dime. Once they're inside, they chew wiring, ruin insulation and contaminate food. We remove them and then seal them out.
Signs of a rodent problem
Scratching or scurrying in the attic or walls at night
Droppings in the garage, pantry, under sinks or along the attic floor
Chewed food packaging, pet food bags or wiring
Tunnels or matted trails in attic insulation
Greasy rub marks along walls or rafters
Burrows along the foundation, fence lines or under sheds
How we treat rodents
1. A thorough inspection to find out how big the problem is and where the rodents are getting in.
2. Trapping inside. We never recommend poison bait inside the home. It's a hazard for kids and pets, and a rat that dies in the wall makes a smell that lasts a long time. We use traps along the routes the rodents travel, and we come back to check them.
3. Exterior bait stations. We install dog-proof rodent bait boxes outside to keep the population down before rodents reach the house.
4. Exclusion work. We seal the entry points so new rodents can't move in. We do hundreds of exclusion jobs every year.
5. Dead animal removal when you need it.
Our rodent work comes with a warranty for as long as the current owners live in the home and keep an active maintenance plan with us. If rodents come back, we re-treat.
What you can do at home
Store pet food, bird seed and pantry goods in sealed containers.
Keep trash bins closed and clean them out often.
Trim tree limbs and shrubs back from the roof. Roof rats are climbers.
Clear clutter and dense brush along fences, sheds and woodpiles.
Do a fall walk-around: check garage door seals, weep holes, AC line gaps and vents.
Be careful with poisons. If you use bait outside, use only tamper-resistant stations.
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Rodent control FAQ
Do I have mice or roof rats? Mouse droppings are about the size of a grain of rice. Roof rat droppings are larger, about half an inch. Noise in the attic usually points to roof rats. We'll identify them during the inspection.
Why are rodents worse in the fall? Cooler nights send them looking for warmth and food, and North Texas attics are a perfect place for them.
Will you put poison in my house? No. Inside, we use traps. Bait goes only in locked, pet-resistant stations outside.
How do you keep them from coming back? We do exclusion work to seal entry points, and our maintenance plans include a rodent warranty.
Can you remove a dead rodent?
Yes. We offer dead animal removal when you need it.
How long does it take to get rid of mice or rats?
Most homes see activity drop within a couple of weeks of trapping. We come back to check traps, and sealing the entry points is what keeps new rodents from moving in.
Do you seal entry points yourselves?
Yes. Exclusion is a big part of our rodent work. We close the gaps around garage doors, weep holes, vents, utility lines and the roofline that rodents use to get in.
Get your free estimate
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll take it from there. Request a free estimate, or call (469) 340-0200 (office: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · service: Mon–Sat 8am–6pm).
Around the Block Pest Control: family-owned · 8720 Silverado Trail, STE 3B, McKinney, TX 75070 · Serving McKinney, Allen, Plano, Frisco, Prosper and Collin County