Which Rodents You Might Find in Your Phoenix Home
When most people think about rodents getting inside, mice are usually the first to come to mind—and for good reason. House mice are the most common rodent invaders in Phoenix homes. Small, grayish-brown, and equipped with large ears and pointed noses, these quick little critters are experts at sneaking indoors for food and shelter.
As frustrating as mice can be, they’re not the only rodents that enter homes in our region. Rats, specifically Norway and roof rats, are also a common problem.
Norway rats have thick, heavy bodies and short tails. They prefer staying close to the ground and often nest in basements, crawl spaces, or lower wall voids.
Roof rats, on the other hand, are slimmer and more agile. Their tails are longer than their bodies, and they’re skilled climbers that usually nest in attics, ceilings, and upper levels of homes.
Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Knowing the signs of a rodent problem helps you catch infestations early—before they grow out of control. Rodents leave several telltale clues around your home, including:
- Noises in the walls or ceiling: Scratching, squeaking, or scurrying sounds, especially at night, are common indicators.
- Droppings: Mice leave small, rice-shaped pellets, while rats' droppings are larger. Norway rat droppings have blunt ends, while roof rat droppings taper to a point.
- Grease marks: Rodents follow the same paths repeatedly, leaving dark, greasy smudges along walls and baseboards.
- Gnawing damage: Look for chewed food packaging, wires, insulation, or even wood—rodents constantly gnaw to keep their teeth short.
- Nesting materials: Bits of paper, fabric, insulation, or cotton tucked away in hidden areas often indicate an active nest.
- Sightings: Spotting a live or dead rodent inside your home is a clear sign of an infestation that needs quick attention.
How to Prevent Rodents From Getting in Your Phoenix Home
If you haven’t spotted any of the signs above, now’s the perfect time to keep it that way. By following a few simple prevention steps, you can make your Phoenix home far less inviting to rodents and avoid an infestation altogether.
Keep your yard well-maintained. Trim branches, remove debris, and clean up leaf litter.
- Store firewood and garbage bins at least 20 feet away from your house.
- Clean your gutters out regularly.
- Address moisture issues by removing standing water, fixing leaks, and ensuring proper drainage.
- Remove any potential food sources outside.
- Seal entry points, like cracks, gaps, and holes around your house.
- Don’t leave food out in your kitchen, but store it all in sealed containers.
- Clean up after meals and take the trash out frequently.
- Eliminate clutter from your house.
What to Do if You See Signs of Rodents
At the first signs of a rodent infestation, get in touch with Termio Pest Control. You may think that setting out a few traps will take care of the problem, but rodents are cautious creatures and they breed rapidly. Even if you catch a few, others will still be present in your house, causing damage and spreading disease. Professional pest control is more effective and much safer than do-it-yourself methods.
How Termio Pest Control Can Keep Your Home Rodent-Free
Termio Pest Control provides the effective treatments you need to rid your home of rodents entirely. Our home pest control eliminates and prevents mice, rats, and other house-infesting pests. We’ll inspect and treat your home to get rid of the current problem and then provide quarterly pest treatments to ensure insects and rodents don’t have the chance to reinfest!
A rodent infestation can be stressful for your home and family, but recognizing the signs and knowing who to call makes all the difference. For fast, effective relief, and to keep rodents out of your Phoenix Metro home—including Queen Creek and Scottsdale, contact Termio Pest Control today!
