Why removal comes before sealing.
Sealing a house with animals still inside traps them against your walls. They either die in the structure or gnaw a new way out. So the order is trap first, seal once the catches slow, and confirm with a return visit.
The order carries information too. Once traps stop catching, the animals inside are gone, and the sealing afterward prevents replacements from moving in.
Picking the trap for the animal.
Mice and rats call for different gear. Mice are curious and investigate new objects, so small snap traps along walls work well. Rats are cautious, so larger traps or enclosed stations go along the runway, sometimes left unset for a short time so the animal gets used to them.
| Situation. | Typical choice. | Reason. |
|---|---|---|
| Mice in a kitchen or pantry. | Small snap traps flush to the wall. | Mice follow edges and test new objects. |
| Rats in an attic. | Larger snap traps or stations on the runway. | Rats avoid open floors and unfamiliar shapes. |
| Animals in a garage with pets nearby. | Enclosed stations on shelves or behind boxes. | Keeps traps out of reach of a curious dog. |
| A nest in a vehicle. | Targeted traps around the car, then inspection of the engine bay. | Stops the animal returning before wires are damaged again. |
The schedule you can count on.
Before we leave, you hear when traps will be checked and by whom. A trap left too long is unfair to the animal and a nuisance to you, so checks are frequent at the start, then taper as catches slow.
Every device is logged by room and position. When the job is over, the log is our checklist for collecting everything, so nothing remains behind a box or on a rafter.
What not to do on your own.
- Do not set glue boards, which hold animals in distress and also catch lizards, birds and pets.
- Do not bait traps near a place where children or dogs reach.
- Do not stuff holes while animals are inside.
- Do not scatter store bait, which can leave dead animals in walls.
If you already set traps, tell us where. We keep them in place and build around your work.
Wondering how an inspection goes? Ask when you call and a person will walk you through it.
Ring (888) 686-4821Next steps once catches stop.
When traps stay empty for several nights, sealing makes the result last. We close each entry with exclusion work, then arrange any cleanup or repair the animals left. You can book those on the same call.
When you cannot tell if the culprit is a mouse, a rat or another animal, an inspection identifies the animal before any trap is chosen.
Before you call: handling droppings safely
No call is needed to follow the list below, since it mirrors what health agencies tell every homeowner.
- Dampen first, wipe second, and never sweep dry.
- Prop windows and doors open, stay outdoors for about thirty minutes, and let the air turn over.
- At minimum wear gloves while working, and wash when the job is finished.
- Disinfect first, collect afterward, once the soaked waste has stood for about five minutes.
- Tie the bag shut and put it with ordinary household trash. Lifting a dead rodent with bare fingers is never acceptable.
- Feeling feverish or short of breath following exposure is a matter for a physician, so tell one about the cleanup.
Sources behind the safety tips
Agency pages stand behind each safety statement, listed next with a note about what each covers.
- CDC hantavirus prevention page: How to cut down contact inside houses, sheds and vehicles, drawn from the CDC hantavirus section.
- CDC page on cleaning up rodent waste: Air out, soak, bag: the CDC's order of work.