Mice and rats: close the way in, then check
Traps without sealing only count the mice. We seal first, trap second and come back to look.
How they get in
Mice need a gap about the width of a pencil. In older Chattanooga houses that is usually where a pipe or cable enters, a gap above the foundation, a loose vent screen or the bottom of a garage door. Rats need a bigger gap and often dig along a foundation. We look at every one of those.
How many visits
Most jobs take three visits: the inspection and sealing, a check of the traps and the seal, and a final look. A house with many gaps takes longer, and we say so on the scope.
Signs
What to look for
Scratching in the walls at night
Usually in the attic, the wall behind the stove or the crawlspace.
Droppings along walls or in drawers
Small and dark. Often found first behind appliances.
Chewed packaging or a greasy rub mark
Along the base of a wall or around a pipe entry.
Our steps
What we do, in four steps
- 01
Step 1: Inspect
Foundation, vents, pipes, garage door, attic and crawlspace.
- 02
Step 2: Seal
Steel mesh, sealant, sweeps and screens at every gap we find.
- 03
Step 3: Trap and monitor
Traps placed where the activity is, checked on a schedule.
- 04
Step 4: Return and check
We look at the seals and the traps again and write down what changed.
Your part
Before we come, and after we leave
Before the visit
Clear the base of the garage walls
Store pet food and birdseed in a lidded bin
Move anything stored against the foundation
Tell us about any pets that roam the basement or garage
After the visit
Keep the sealed gaps clear so we can check them
Keep pets and children away from trap locations
Fix gutters and trim shrubs back from the house
Call us if you hear scratching after the first week
Questions about this one
Do you use poison?
Inside the house, we start with sealing and traps. If a bait is called for, we place it in a locked station, tell you where it is and put it on the report.
Will they leave on their own?
Rarely. Once mice find food and warmth they stay until the gap is closed.
Do you clean up droppings?
We tell you what to wear and how to wet and wipe them. We don't do cleanup, but we'll point you to someone who does.
Start with the gaps
We'll find every gap, close it and check it again.