Blog · Prevention
Signs of Rodents in PNW Homes (and What to Do First)
Cooler weather pushes mice and rats toward structures. Catching activity early makes control far more effective and less expensive.
What are the clearest signs of rodents?
Droppings — Small, dark, rice-shaped pellets (mice) or larger capsules (rats) in pantries, along baseboards, or in attics and crawl spaces.
Gnaw marks — On food packaging, wood, plastic, or wiring. Fresh marks look lighter; older ones darken.
Sounds — Scratching, scurrying, or light thumping in walls or ceilings, especially at night.
Nests or rub marks — Shredded insulation, paper, or fabric; greasy rub marks along walls or beams where rodents travel repeatedly.
What should you do first?
1. Remove accessible food and water sources.
2. Note where droppings or activity are heaviest — this guides trapping and exclusion.
3. Seal obvious gaps larger than a dime (mice) or a quarter (rats) around pipes, vents, and foundations if you can do so safely.
4. Avoid scattering poison without a plan; it can create secondary issues and does not solve entry points.
When is professional help the better path?
If activity continues after basic cleanup and trapping, if you find multiple entry points, or if the problem involves an attic or crawl space, a combined approach of trapping + exclusion + monitoring is usually required. Our Hall of Fame plan includes ongoing rodent stations and trapping; one-time exclusion packages start with a full property assessment and written Game Plan.