Fall rodent prevention in Austin

Check entry points high and low

Start with a ground-level walk around the home, then note upper openings for a qualified inspection. CDC lists gaps at eaves, soffits, gables, attic vents, windows, doors, foundations and utility penetrations as places to check. Mice can fit through a pencil-width opening, about 1/4 inch. A small gap beside a pipe or under a door therefore deserves attention.

Inspect garage-door corners and worn weather stripping, then check where plumbing, electrical, cable and gas lines pass through walls. Inside, look around pipes under sinks, behind appliances and at the floor-to-wall junction. Roof rats often nest above ground, so a sound lower perimeter does not rule out an upper entry route. Check garages and outbuildings as well as the living space.

Look from a safe position. Do not climb onto a roof or disturb utilities to investigate a hole. Photograph the location and ask an inspector to assess inaccessible roof edges, damaged vent covers or openings beside service lines.

Sources: CDC, How to seal up to prevent rodents; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Managing rats and mice

Signs that need an inspection

Droppings, gnaw marks on packaging or building materials, greasy rub marks along walls or rafters, and nesting material can indicate rodent use. Texas A&M AgriLife also describes running or squealing sounds and activity after dark. Note where and when you hear noises, but do not identify a roof rat from an attic sound alone.

CDC cautions that old droppings or gnaw marks do not necessarily establish current activity. Droppings that return after safe cleanup indicate an active presence. Do not sweep up evidence to test this. Follow CDC's cleanup guidance, or request help if the area cannot be reached safely. A professional inspection can connect the signs with possible access points instead of guessing from one clue.

Sources: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Managing rats and mice; CDC, Controlling wild rodent infestations

• Rodent control in Austin

Your fall prevention checklist

Pair a structural check with food, water and shelter changes. Clean surroundings help, but they do not close an opening. Use this checklist before storing seasonal items or leaving a garage open for outdoor projects.

1. Check exterior doors and the garage. Repair gaps and weather stripping, and close doors when they are not in use. Include sheds and other outbuildings in the check.
2. Store pantry food, pet food and birdseed in thick plastic, glass or metal containers with tight lids. Clean spilled food promptly, and put pet food and water bowls away overnight.
3. Secure garbage in containers with tight lids and no holes. Clean outdoor cooking areas and remove food scraps around grills.
4. Fix leaking faucets and accessible plumbing leaks. Note persistent moisture or water sources for the inspection rather than focusing only on food.
5. Remove unwanted boxes, trash and stored debris that provide cover. Keep needed materials raised and leave space beside walls so signs are easier to see.
6. Keep brush, weeds and nearby vegetation trimmed. Review woodpiles and bird-feeder locations using CDC's outdoor prevention guidance, and keep food and shelter sources away from the house.

Sources: CDC, How to seal up to prevent rodents; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Managing rats and mice; Austin Public Health, Environmental Vector Control

Plan fall rodent seal-up

Exclusion means repairing openings so rodents cannot enter or re-enter. Texas A&M AgriLife recommends rodent-resistant materials such as hardware cloth, sheet metal or concrete where appropriate. CDC recommends securing steel wool in small holes with caulk or foam, and using metal, cement, hardware cloth or metal sheeting for larger openings. Material choice depends on the opening and the surrounding construction.

An occupied home needs more than a patch. Texas A&M recommends an integrated program that addresses activity, shelter, food, water and access together. If you already have signs indoors, arrange an inspection so control and exclusion are planned together. Do not assume one sealed hole proves that rodents are gone or that every access point has been found.

Keep ventilation and utility safety intact. Ask for a repair plan appropriate to each opening, then recheck repaired areas and other likely entrances. New droppings, gnawing or recurring noises after repairs are reasons to revisit the plan.

Sources: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Managing rats and mice; CDC, How to seal up to prevent rodents

Follow CDC cleanup precautions

CDC says not to vacuum or sweep rodent urine, droppings or nesting material because contaminated particles can enter the air. Its guidance calls for rubber or plastic gloves, wetting waste with an appropriate disinfectant, and letting it soak for five minutes or the disinfectant label's specified time before wiping it up. Follow the full CDC instructions for preparation, disposal, surface cleaning and handwashing rather than treating this summary as a complete cleanup procedure.

Heavy infestations need additional precautions. CDC recommends professional rodent-removal help when rodents have entered heating or cooling ducts, and its seal-up guidance recommends a pest specialist when affected areas cannot be reached for cleaning. For health questions about a specific exposure, contact a healthcare provider or your local health department. This guide does not diagnose illness or recommend treatment.

Sources: CDC, How to clean up after rodents; CDC, How to seal up to prevent rodents

• Read CDC's complete rodent cleanup guidance

When to request a free inspection

Request an inspection when droppings return, noises persist, food packaging is damaged, or you find an opening you cannot safely assess. An inspection before sealing is also useful when you suspect rodents are already inside. Tell us the room, garage or attic area involved, what you noticed, and when it began. You do not need to identify the species first.

Austin Pest Control serves homes across Travis, Hays and Bastrop counties with inspection-first recommendations. Review our rodent service page for the service process, and request a free inspection for property-specific options.

For conditions involving tall weeds, trash or debris elsewhere in Austin, Austin Public Health's Environmental Vector Control page directs residents to Austin 3-1-1 for reporting. That local reporting pathway is separate from requesting a private inspection of your home.

Sources: Austin Public Health, Environmental Vector Control

• View Austin rodent control services
• Request Free Inspection