Guide: pest control
Mice in the house? Clean up safely, then seal them out.
Droppings, gnaw marks, scratching in walls at night and shredded nesting material are the usual signs. Do not sweep or vacuum droppings, because the CDC says it can put droplets containing viruses into the air. Trap what is inside, seal the gaps they use, and call a pest control company if they keep coming back or you cannot find how they get in.
Connects you to an independent pest control company. Home Service Lab does not perform the work and does not set the price.
What to do
- Confirm it. Small dark droppings along walls, in cupboards and behind appliances. Gnawed packaging. Scratching at night.
- Clean droppings the safe way. Gloves on, spray with a disinfectant or bleach solution until wet, wait, then wipe up with paper towels. No sweeping, no vacuum.
- Protect food. Into sealed containers, including pet food.
- Trap. Snap traps along walls where droppings are, checked daily.
- Find the way in. Gaps around pipes, vents, garage doors and the foundation. Mice fit through very small openings.
Gnawed wiring is a fire risk. If you find chewed cables in the attic, walls or near appliances, have an electrician check them.
When to call pest control.
If you are catching mice every week, finding droppings in several rooms, hearing them in the walls or ceiling, or seeing rats rather than mice. A pest control company finds the entry points, seals them and deals with the population, which traps alone rarely do.
Questions
Common questions
Who do I call for mice in my house?
A pest control company, especially for droppings in several rooms, noises in walls or ceilings, or signs of rats. They find and seal the entry points as well as trapping.
Is it safe to vacuum mouse droppings?
No. The CDC says not to vacuum or sweep rodent urine, droppings or nesting material. Spray with disinfectant and wipe up with paper towels while wearing gloves.
Being straight with you
We connect the call. We do not do the work.
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Local pages
Pest control in your city.
Still hearing something in the wall?
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