How do I know if I have roof rats or mice?
Droppings are the quickest clue. Roof rat droppings are about half an inch long with pointed ends, while mouse droppings are rice-sized, about a quarter inch or less. Roof rats are heard mostly in attics and upper walls at night, while mice turn up more often in kitchens, cabinets and lower walls.
Correct identification matters because the two need different trap sizes, placement and sealing. Rats are wary of new objects and may avoid traps for a few days, while mice are curious and usually investigate traps quickly.
Why is poison a bad idea for rodents inside the house?
Poison baits kill slowly, so a rat or mouse often dies inside a wall, attic or ceiling where it cannot be reached. The result can be a strong odor for weeks and a magnet for flies. Indoor baiting also risks exposing pets, children and wildlife that eat poisoned rodents.
Trapping lets you confirm each catch and remove the body. When bait is appropriate, for example outdoors around a commercial building, it belongs in locked, tamper-resistant stations used exactly as the label directs. Without sealing entry points, though, any baiting just makes room for the next rodent.
Which entry points do rodents use most in Magnolia homes?
Common entry points include gaps where the roofline meets the soffit, unscreened gable and ridge vents, AC line and plumbing penetrations, the bottom corners of garage doors and openings around dryer vents. Roof rats also reach the roof from overhanging tree limbs, so trimming branches back is part of good exclusion.
- Roof returns and gaps at fascia boards
- Gable, soffit and ridge vents
- AC refrigerant lines and plumbing penetrations
- Garage door corners and worn weatherstripping
- Dryer, bath and kitchen exhaust vents
- Gaps and open weep holes in brick veneer
Are rodent droppings dangerous to clean up?
Rodent droppings and urine can carry disease-causing germs, so never sweep or vacuum them dry, which can stir particles into the air. The CDC recommends wearing gloves, spraying droppings with disinfectant or a bleach solution, letting it soak, then wiping up with paper towels. Heavily contaminated attics may need professional cleanup.
