The short answer
Rodent control that lasts is exclusion first, trapping second. A mouse needs a gap the width of a pencil and a rat needs about the size of a quarter, so unless every entry point is sealed, removing the current population simply makes room for the next one. We inspect the full structure, seal entry points, then trap out what remains inside.
What you are dealing with
- House mice — the most common indoor rodent. Nest in wall voids, pantries and insulation. A female can produce five to ten litters a year, so a small problem compounds fast.
- Roof rats — excellent climbers, common across the Austin area. They enter along tree branches and utility lines and nest in attics, which is why you hear activity overhead at night.
- Norway rats — larger and ground-dwelling, burrowing near foundations, sheds and compost, and entering at ground level.
Signs worth acting on
- Droppings along walls, in pantries, or in the attic.
- Scratching or scurrying in walls and ceilings, typically after dark.
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, wiring or wooden trim.
- Shredded insulation, paper or fabric used as nesting material.
- A persistent musky odour, or pets fixating on a particular wall.
Rodents chewing electrical wiring in attics is a genuine fire risk, and their droppings and urine contaminate insulation. This is not a problem worth waiting out.
Central Texas timing
The big influx comes with the first properly cool nights in autumn, when rodents that spent summer outdoors start looking for somewhere to overwinter. But they breed year-round once inside, so a population established in October is considerably larger by February.
How we treat rodents
- Full inspection — roofline, soffits, vents, weep holes, utility penetrations, garage, and attic, identifying every accessible entry point and the routes being used.
- Exclusion — sealing gaps with materials rodents cannot chew through, screening vents, and fitting door sweeps. This is the part that actually solves the problem.
- Trapping inside to remove the existing population, monitored and cleared on follow-up visits.
- Exterior bait stations where appropriate — tamper-resistant and placed away from areas used by children and pets.
- Recommendations on trimming branches back from the roofline and clearing harborage.
What a visit looks like
Every job starts with a free quote — we walk the property, confirm what you’re actually dealing with, and show you what we found before quoting anything. You’ll get a written price with no hidden fees.
If pests return between scheduled visits, we come back at no extra charge. That’s part of the service, not an upsell.
What affects the price
We quote after seeing the property rather than publishing a flat rate, because the honest answer depends on things we can’t know in advance:
- Property size — square footage and the linear footage of your foundation.
- Severity — an early problem costs considerably less than an established one.
- Service frequency — monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly.
- Access and construction — crawlspace, slab, multi-storey, dense landscaping.
- Interior, exterior or both.
The quote is free and there’s no obligation, so the fastest way to a real number is to request one.
Frequently asked questions
Droppings are the fastest tell: mouse droppings are rice-grain sized, rat droppings are noticeably larger. Noise location helps too — activity overhead in the attic usually means roof rats, while sounds in lower walls and pantries more often means mice.
Almost always because more remain, or because entry points are still open and new rodents are coming in. This is exactly why we lead with exclusion rather than trapping alone.
We place exterior bait in tamper-resistant stations positioned away from areas pets use, and we rely on trapping rather than bait indoors. Tell us about pets during the inspection and we will plan around them.
Talk to us about the scope during your inspection — attic sanitation and insulation replacement are sometimes warranted after a significant infestation, and we will tell you honestly whether yours needs it.
Exclusion is typically completed in one visit for a standard home. Trapping runs over the following couple of weeks with follow-up visits to clear traps and confirm activity has stopped.
Dealing with rodents?
Free quotes across Hutto, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Manor, Austin, Kyle, Buda and Liberty Hill. Same-day service is often available, and we’ll tell you honestly if you don’t need us.