Good Control Begins with
An Inspection of Your Premises

A thorough inspection is time well spent. With a flashlight, inspect dark areas where rodents like to hide.  And, be sure to look up, down and all around for signs where rodents travel.

A good inspection will help you determine:
    •  the species of rodent – house mouse, Norway rat, roof rat
    •  the severity or size of the problem
    •  active areas where rodents are eating, traveling, nesting
    •  conditions that foster a rodent problem – poor sanitation, food, water
    •  ways to rodent proof your place indoors & outdoors
    •  the best rodent control product to use and where to place it for success

Tell-tale Signs of Rats and Mice include:
DROPPINGS
Rodent droppings are a sure indication that rats or mice are present.  However, playing detective with rodent droppings will reveal a lot about the rodent you're dealing with.

Rodent droppings will tell you: Rodent Species: (left to right) Norway rat, house mouse, roof rat Age of Droppings: New droppings are shiny and putty in texture. Old feces are hard and crumbly. This will help you determine how long the problem has existed and if rodents are still a problem. Size of the Infestation: Varying feces sizes indicate juveniles and adults are present. Many droppings indicate a large infestation. Level of Activity: Droppings indicate active areas where you should place bait or traps.

URINE ODORS
The chemical cetamide, found in rodent urine, has a very distinct odor.  With large infestations you can smell it.

GNAWED HOLES
Gnawed mouse holes are small, clear-cut and about the size of a dime.
Gnawed rat holes are large, about the size of a quarter, with rough torn edges.
 
RUB MARKS                   
When dirt in the environment combines with oils in the rodent’s skin, rub marks are left when rodents travel along walls.  If rub marks smear, you know they are fresh.
    
RODENT NESTS
Norway rats nest in burrows outdoors which are normally 4-5 ft. in the ground in areas where there is lots of protective vegetation. Roof rats typically nest above ground in attics, trees or dense vegetation. And, mice will shred paper, string, and other pliable materials for their nest indoors.

RODENT RUNWAYS
Common rodent pathways are generally along interior walls, the foundation of buildings, sill ledges, pipes, electrical wires, conduits, tree branches and fence rails.  Mice travel 10-30 feet from their nest to their main source of food while rats have a larger range, from 100-150 feet.

NOISES
Rodents are active at night.  They often are detected by scratching sounds as they travel in walls and along floors.