Atherton's Exclusion-First Rodent Team

Rat droppings run larger, roughly rice-grain size or bigger; mouse droppings are smaller and more pointed, and noise timing differs too. We also inspect the roofline and chimney area during a standard visit, since those are entry points homeowners rarely think to check themselves.

Exclusion is the permanent piece; trapping without it just resets the clock. We'd rather take the extra time to seal every gap properly than leave one open and get a callback in a few months.

Dry sweeping can release airborne particles, so it's safer to leave cleanup to the visit.

A typical job is a single day plus a short recheck window.

Mechanical trapping and sealing come first, especially around pets and kids; bait stations are reserved for specific situations like commercial perimeters.

Easy food access, standing water, clutter, and unsealed foundation gaps are the usual suspects. It's worth checking your attic access panel periodically, since that's a common secondary entry point we find at follow-ups.