Dealing with rats and mice inside your home can quickly go from a small nuisance to a full-blown problem. These rodents can damage wiring, contaminate food, and spread harmful bacteria—making it crucial to take action as soon as you notice signs of activity. If you’re searching for how to get rid of rats mice in your house effectively, this comprehensive guide walks you through proven steps that truly work. As a locally owned and veteran-operated company, ProGuard Pest Control provides fast, safe, and long-lasting rodent control solutions for homes across Eagle, Meridian, Star, Garden City, Emmett, and Boise.
Understanding How Rats and Mice Get Into Your House
To get rid of mice rats successfully, you first need to understand how and why they enter your home. Rodents are opportunistic and can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter-inch. Once inside, they look for warmth, food, shelter, and water—turning your home into a safe nesting area.
Common Entry Points
- Gaps around doors and garage frames
- Holes around plumbing and HVAC lines
- Cracks in siding, soffits, vents, and foundations
- Open chimneys or uncapped flues
- Damaged screens and attic vents
Why They Choose Your Home
- Accessible food sources like crumbs, pet food, and garbage
- Cluttered spaces that offer easy hiding spots
- Warm, insulated spaces like attics and wall voids
- Outdoor attractants such as bird feeders, trash, and overgrown vegetation
Signs You Have a Rodent Problem
- Droppings near food storage or along baseboards
- Scratching sounds inside walls or ceilings
- Grease rub marks along walls
- Chewed wires, insulation, or packaged foods
- Nests made from paper, fabric, or shredded materials
How To Get Rid Of Rats Mice In Your House: Proven Steps That Work
Once you’ve confirmed rodent activity, you can begin a structured removal plan. These steps combine prevention, trapping, sanitation, and professional support when needed.
Step 1: Seal Entry Points Completely
Rodent control begins with exclusion. If you don’t block their access, new rodents will replace the ones you catch.
- Seal holes with steel wool and caulk
- Use metal flashing or hardware cloth for larger gaps
- Repair damaged foundation vents and soffits
- Add door sweeps on exterior doors
Key Tip
Never use foam alone—rats and mice can chew through it. Always reinforce with metal-based materials.
Step 2: Set Traps Correctly
Snap traps remain one of the most effective ways to eliminate rodents inside the home. Place traps strategically—along walls, behind appliances, in attics, and under sinks.
- Use bait such as peanut butter, nuts, seeds, or dry pet food
- Place traps perpendicular to walls for best results
- Wear gloves when handling traps to reduce human scent
- Use multiple traps for quicker elimination
Step 3: Improve Indoor Sanitation
Rodents thrive where food and shelter are easy to find. Simple improvements can make your home far less appealing.
- Store pantry items in sealed plastic or glass containers
- Clean crumbs from floors, counters, and appliances
- Keep garbage tightly sealed and emptied regularly
- Fix leaks that provide water sources
Step 4: Address Outdoor Sources
If your yard attracts rodents, they’re more likely to enter your home. This is especially important if you’re searching for rodent repellent near me options and want to prevent future infestations.
- Trim vegetation at least 3–4 feet from the home
- Remove outdoor clutter and woodpiles
- Secure garbage bins and compost areas
- Feed pets indoors to avoid attracting rodents
Step 5: Use Rodent-Proof Storage
Whether indoors or outdoors, proper storage greatly reduces rodent interest. Heavy-duty bins with locking lids are ideal for bird seed, pet food, and stored items kept in garages or sheds.
Step 6: Know When to Call a Professional
If your efforts aren’t solving the problem—or if rats and mice are nesting in difficult areas like walls or attics—a professional inspection is essential. ProGuard Pest Control specializes in rodent removal using family-safe, pet-friendly methods with no contracts and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
How ProGuard Pest Control Eliminates Rats and Mice—Fast
As a locally owned and veteran-operated company, ProGuard Pest Control takes pride in offering advanced rodent control solutions built on industry-leading techniques and real field experience.
Detailed Home Inspection
We identify entry points, nesting areas, food sources, and high-activity zones throughout your property.
Custom Treatment Plan
Our technicians create a tailored strategy based on your home’s layout, rodent species, and infestation level.
Professional-Grade Exclusion
We use commercial-grade materials to seal and fortify all rodent entry points, preventing re-entry long-term.
Safe, Effective Rodent Elimination
We utilize professional trapping, monitoring, and removal methods that work quickly without exposing your family or pets to harmful chemicals.
Ongoing Prevention Tips
We guide you through habitat changes, sanitation strategies, and home improvements that reduce future risk.
Best Rodent Control Practices for Long-Term Prevention
Once your home is rodent-free, it’s important to maintain habits that discourage re-infestation.
Maintain Exterior Barriers
- Inspect your foundation and siding seasonally
- Repair damaged screens and dryer vents
- Maintain weather stripping and door sweeps
Monitor for Early Signs
- Check attic and garage monthly
- Look for droppings or chewed materials in storage areas
- Address minor activity quickly to avoid larger infestations
Store Food Properly
Rodents return where food is available. Establish consistent storage habits for long-term protection.
Local Rodent Control Services Near You
If you’re searching for rodent repellent near me or need help with how to get rid of rats mice in your house, ProGuard Pest Control is your trusted local partner. We proudly serve Eagle, Meridian, Star, Garden City, Emmett, and Boise with fast-response service and guaranteed results.
Our technicians are trained, certified, and committed to the safety of your family and pets—offering completely contract-free service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I permanently get rid of mice and rats in my home?
Permanent rodent control requires sealing entry points, eliminating indoor food sources, improving sanitation, and using effective traps. Professional exclusion work is often the most reliable long-term solution.
What attracts rodents into a house?
Rodents seek warmth, food, water, and shelter. Common attractants include crumbs, pet food, leaks, clutter, and open gaps around the home’s foundation or siding.
How quickly can a rodent infestation spread?
Rats and mice reproduce rapidly. A single pair of mice can produce dozens of offspring in a year, making early intervention critical.
Are rats and mice dangerous to my health?
Yes. Rodents can carry harmful bacteria, contaminate food, and damage electrical wiring—posing fire and health hazards.
Should I use poison to eliminate rodents?
Poison can be dangerous for pets, children, and wildlife. Trapping and professional rodent control services are safer and more effective.