Phoenix's Ultimate Rodent Control Guide

Rodents can be harmful house guests. They get into attics and other storage areas and damage stored items as they collect materials for their nests. They leave droppings and urine as they explore. They carry ticks, fleas, mites and other parasites. They get into trash, sewers, and other dirty places and carry harmful bacteria into sensitive locations, such as food cabinets and pantries. It is best to never allow these animals to live in your Phoenix home. That's why we've put together this quick guide to help you get control of rodents. Here's how it works.

The Process

There are four steps in the control process. Follow these steps in order and repeat as necessary.

Inspection — Do a thorough inspection inside and outside of your property. The tools for this job are a strong flashlight, a mirror, and a screwdriver. The flashlight and mirror are for looking in and around objects in your home. The screwdriver will allow you to remove outlet panels and look inside your wall voids. Here's what you're looking for:

• Droppings
• The scent of urine
• Holes chewed in building materials, storage boxes, etc.
• Bumping or scraping sounds in walls, floors, ceilings or vents
• Rodent nests
• Footprints in dust, flour, and other powders
• And the presence of rodents

Identification — It helps to know what pest you're dealing with. Roof rats (black rats) and Norway rats (brown rats) behave differently. House mice are far more likely to stay in your home than deer mice. Squirrels will stay in your attic space rather than exploring every inch of your home like a mouse or rat. There is a lot of information online about each of these pests. Also, keep in mind that you're likely to only have one type of rodent in your home. Mice, rats, and squirrels don't typically infest a home together.

Action — Once you've found the source of your problem and you've determined what pest you're dealing with, it is time to consider a strategy that will make your home less habitable. Here are some general tips:

• Use a caulking gun to seal entry points in your exterior.
• Replace damaged weatherstripping and door sweeps.
• Keep interior food in sealed containers and don't leave food out on the counters uncovered.
• Keep your interior as clean as possible to remove food particles.
• Consider only eating in your dining room or kitchen until your rodent issue has been corrected.
• Repair all plumbing leaks.
• Put pet food down only during meals.
• Make sure your trash is removed in a timely manner and that all trash inside and outside of your home is in covered containers.
• Remove any clutter inside and in your yard. Mice and rats are particularly drawn to clutter.
• Yard work is essential for rodent control. Remove leaves, sticks, and wood piles.

Evaluation — Every week, do another inspection to check the progress of your efforts. If you remove food and water options and limit access by sealing entry points, it may be enough to stop your rodent infestation. You'll know this by the fact that new droppings and other warning signs will no longer appear.