NEED HELP? WE’RE AVAILABLE. CALL NOW. (253) 848 – 6000

NEED HELP? WE’RE AVAILABLE. CALL NOW.
(253) 848 – 6000

Rodent Control & Prevention

Rodents are extremely common in homes and businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest. Rats and mice can pose serious health threats to people: they are well-known carriers of many diseases such as hantavirus and salmonella, and can also harm structures by damaging insulation, vapor barriers, and HVAC systems in crawlspaces and attics.

Our rodent control program is designed to eliminate current rodent infestations in homes and businesses and prevent future rodent populations from entering the structure.

  • Site Assessment – We perform a site assessment to determine areas of potential rodent activity, including potential nesting/harborage locations and entry points, as well as safety/environmental concerns.

  • Effective Exclusion – Next, we systematically seal up entry points with hardware cloth or other secure materials, to separate the interior population from the exterior population. We then place traps in discreet areas such as the crawlspace, attic, or basement to quickly and efficiently gain control of the interior population. To combat the exterior population, we install tamper-resistant rodent stations around the exterior of the structure.

  • Preventative Service – We provide regular preventative services to deter rodents from tracing scent trails back to your property. Rodents constantly probe for new entry points and are capable of gnawing through siding and burrowing under the foundation, so consistent exterior control with interior monitoring is always recommended.

Rodents, like people, adapt quickly to their surroundings, necessitating ongoing efforts to exclude them from our homes and workplaces. If you are dealing with a current rodent infestation, or just want to ensure your home is properly sealed against intrusion, contact us today!

Professional Rodent Control Services

When it comes to pests, rodents are some of the most tenacious we come across. They not only pose substantial health risks but can also cause major structural damage that can compromise the safety of your home and even invite other pests. Thankfully, our effective pest control packages offer comprehensive protection against all manner of rodent invaders.

Rodent Total Package

Our Rodent Total Package offers comprehensive solutions and preventative measures for rodent infestations.

THIS PLAN INCLUDES:

  • Initial assessment of interior, exterior, crawlspace, attic, and/or garage as needed
  • Up to 30 minutes of rodent exclusion
  • Rodent snap trap placement as needed throughout structure
  • Exterior tamper-resistant bait station placement as needed
  • Brushing webs from front entry area
  • 5 to 10 day follow-up
  • Monthly servicing schedule for two months or until control is obtained, then switch to quarterly

Rambo Total Pest Package

Our Total Pest Package offers comprehensive solutions targeting both rodent and insect infestations.

THIS PLAN INCLUDES:

  • Initial assessment of interior, exterior, crawlspace, attic, and/or garage as needed

  • Brushing webs from entire perimeter – focus on eaves, exterior lighting, doors/windows, etc.
  • Treat interior and/or exterior of structure for control and prevention of insects and arthropods. This may include ants (all types), spiders, roaches, wasps, yellowjackets, earwigs, silverfish, and other occasional invaders
  • Standard exterior prevention includes foundation areas, around doors/windows, exterior lighting, and other problem areas within five feet of the structure.
  • Up to 30 minutes of rodent exclusion
  • Rodent snap trap placement as needed throughout structure
  • Exterior tamper-resistant bait station placement as needed
  • 5 to 10 day follow-up

  • Monthly servicing schedule for two months or until control is obtained, then switch to quarterly

The Dangers of Rodent Infestations

Rodents are among the most resourceful and adaptive animals on the planet – so much so that humans have brought them with us everywhere we have gone, and why Rambo Total Pest Control singles them out as a separate part of pest control.

However, they can cause serious problems for people and structures. In some cases, they have been the cause of house fires, due to gnawed electrical wiring. Many times, rodent contamination becomes so severe that a crawlspace cleanout will be necessary to remove contaminated materials from your home.

Some of the common traits among rodents are:

  • Rats can be neophobic (cautious/scared of new things in their environment). This may cause them to, at first, avoid traps, bait stations, and other control methods.
  • They are habitual. This will cause them to travel along the same paths, hide in the same areas, search for food in the same places, and stick to foods and water sources they have determined to be safe/reliable.
  • They are drawn to warmth. Rodents lose a lot of their body heat through their tales. This makes our homes, outbuilding, decks, and vehicles constant targets of rodent probing.
  • They are a community issue (every community). Even when we solve your rodent issue, there will still be rodent populations around your home, and your home will be subject to probing activity year-round. Areas with fresh water sources, available food sources, and safe harborage like buildings or dense foliage will always increase rodent populations and activity.

Rodent Identification

There are a variety of rodents we encounter in Washington. The most common we find infesting homes and businesses are Roof Rats, Norway Rats, House Mice, and Deer Mice:

Rats

Rat Traits & Behaviors

Rats are neophobic by nature, usually avoiding new items placed in their environment until the items have been there for a while. Rats also have the ability to fit through small openings, due to their collapsible skeletons. This allows an adult rat to fit through an opening the size of a quarter. When implementing a control strategy, we consider all these factors.

Common entry points for rats include burrowing under foundations and chewing through vent screens, favoring nesting in insulation within the crawlspace, basement, or attic. With a single female rat capable of producing up to 35 pups annually and offspring reaching maturity within three months, populations escalate swiftly once they find a nest. Their dietary preferences mirror those of humans, making homes and businesses prime habitats. Despite minimal water needs, they travel over 300 feet nightly in search of sustenance.

Common Rat Species in Washington

The two most common types of rats we encounter in Washington are the Norway Rat and Roof Rat:

  • Norway Rat – The Norway rat (aka: brown, sewer, common, house, or wharf rat) is one of the largest rodents to infest houses in Western Washington. They are easily identified by their roundish bodies, small ears, snub muzzle, and a broad tail that is no longer than its body. Norway Rats can be as long as 18 inches from tail to nose and can weigh up to 1 pound. They tend to spend most of their time near the ground-floor of structures, and they are excellent diggers.

  • Roof Rat – Roof rats (aka: black, ship, tree, or climbing rats) can often be seen walking along power lines or fence tops. They are easily identified by their sleek bodies, overdeveloped ears, and a tail longer than its body. They have an extraordinarily strong sense of hearing, touch, taste, and smell, and are extremely capable climbers and jumpers, similar in ability to a squirrel. Their only weakness is their eyesight; because of this, Roof Rats are usually nocturnal, preferring to travel and nest in well-covered areas.

Mice

Mice Traits & Behaviors

Mice breed year-round, having 5-6 pups every 19-22 days. Newborn mice take 6-10 weeks to reach sexual maturity; however, they are able to become impregnated immediately after giving birth. This allows for extremely rapid population growth.

As with rats, they have versatile feeding preferences and obtain much of their moisture requirements from the food they eat. Though similar, rats and mice have some distinct differences; mice are known for their “nibbling” of many different foods, and they are naturally curious about new items placed in their environment.

Common Mice Species in Washington

House Mice and Deer Mice are the most common mice found in Western Washington:

  • House Mice – House mice tend to be more commonly found in urban and suburban developed areas. They are identified by their small size, pointed nose, black protruding eyes, large ears, and hairless tail.

  • Deer Mice – Deer mice are more common in rural areas, but in recent years have become increasingly common in suburban and even urban settings. They look similar to house mice, but have white feet, a white underside, and a long slightly furry tail with a white underside. Deer mice are also the species most frequently associated with Hantavirus.

Rodent Control Methods

Our rodent control program is designed to eliminate any current infestation in your home, as well as to prevent any future rodent populations from entering the structure. Rodent control requires a multi-faceted approach every time. The most important step in a control program is the initial inspection, which can help determine entry points, nest areas, feeding locations, and travel paths.

  • Interior Rodent Control – When it comes to keeping rodents out of your home, take a thorough and systematic approach. We will place rodent trapping devices in discreet areas where rodent activity has been identified. We systematically seal up identified entry points to lock out the exterior population, and to drive any remaining interior rodents into our traps.

  • Exterior Rodent Control – On the exterior of the building, we place exterior-grade, tamper-resistant rodent control stations to impact the external population and reduce activity. We will return for a follow up visit 5-10 days later to remove the caught rodents, double check the exclusion work, and make sure you are not experiencing any further activity.

After the initial control has been established, we strongly recommend a recurring preventative service to keep the exterior populations from following existing scent/pheromone trails back to your house. Like people, all rodents are extremely adaptable to their environment, so continual efforts will always be needed.

Rodent Prevention Tips

There are several things you can do to help make your home or office less desirable to rodents like rats and mice. Taking these steps will not always prevent a rodent infestation, but they will make them less likely to occur and much easier to correct when they do happen:

  • Proper Sanitation – Maintaining cleanliness is crucial for rodent prevention. Ensure garbage cans have secure lids to prevent access, regularly dispose of garbage, promptly remove any fallen fruits or vegetables from your yard and keep all food handling areas clean to reduce potential food sources for rodents.

  • Prevent Clutter – Rodents thrive in cluttered environments. Keep your living spaces and outdoor areas free of excessive clutter by promptly organizing and removing piled items. By minimizing clutter, you eliminate potential hiding spots and nesting areas for rodents, reducing the likelihood of infestations.

  • Food Source Control – Controlling access to food is essential in deterring rodents. If you have pets, promptly remove any uneaten food once they are finished eating. Keep bird feeders away from your home, as spilled seeds can attract rodents. Store all food in secure containers to prevent easy access for rodents.

  • Maintain Foliage – Overgrown vegetation can provide rodents with easy access to your home. Ensure there is at least a 1-foot gap between your home and any plants, and regularly trim bushes to prevent them from becoming overgrown and touching the ground. Maintaining foliage helps eliminate potential entry points and hiding spots for rodents.

  • Be Vigilant – Have your home inspected for rodent entry points regularly! Regular inspections of your home for rodent entry points are essential for early detection and prevention of infestations. Schedule periodic inspections by our pest control professionals to identify and seal potential entry points, such as gaps in exterior walls or vents.

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