There are only a few Arizona rodents that get into homes. Some are black rodents that climb onto roofs. Some are brown rodents that dig burrows in yards and chew first-floor entry points. While different rodents may require prevention methods that are specific to them, there are certain things that help to get control of all rodents. Let’s take a look at the most effective method for getting control of all rodents in Tucson, Arizona and discuss the best way to get rid of rats and mice that get inside. As always, if you need immediate assistance with a rodent problem, you can reach out to us through our contact page.

Inspections

The first step in any preventative pest program is to do a thorough inspection. Your inspection will give you essential information to help you get control of Arizona rodents.

• Look for droppings. Mice and rats leave droppings in the places they explore. If you find fresh droppings, they will be black and moist. This will let you know that you have current activity. If they are numerous, you’ll know you have lots of rodents, and large droppings will indicate that you’re dealing with rats. Keep in mind that it is very rare for both mice and rats to infest a structure at the same time.
• Look for damage. When mice or rats are getting into your home, you may see holes they have chewed. You’ll need to address these holes.
• Look for conducive conditions for entry. Mice and rats can get into your home without causing any exterior damage. Catalog gaps, cracks, and other openings they might use. You’re looking for holes that are the size of a quarter or smaller. An adult mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime. They are tiny rodents. Rats are big rodents, but they can still use a small hole. They’ll chew on small holes and make them larger. 
• Look for conducive conditions for rodent activity, such as available food, water, or harborage. Mice and rats will be attracted to your property if you provide food to eat, water to drink, or a place for rodents to create a nest. Catalog what you find so that you can consider how to remove these attractants.

Address Food And Water

Now that you’ve cataloged potential food and water sources, here are some tips to address these issues.

• Make sure all garbage is in covered containers. A rat can jump more than 36 inches in the air. It can get into open trash cans.
• Clean out gutter clogs and make any repairs that are necessary. This reduces ground saturation and cuts down on the formation of puddles.
• Remove bird feeders. Seeds are a dietary staple for rodents.

Exclusions

Now it is time to address the entry points or damage you found during your inspection. The tools for this job are a caulking gun, expanding foam, and metal flashing. Fill in even the smallest entry points to keep even tiny rodents out. Use the metal flashing to protect areas that are being gnawed.

Harborage

If you found potential harborage areas during your inspection, you should seal them. Here are a few examples:

• Use fencing material to protect the void under your back deck or porch.
• Bolster your defenses around doors that lead to crawlspaces.
• Fill in any holes that have been dug by burrowing rodents. If the holes reappear, contact a licensed pest control professional to trap and remove the rodents.

Trapping And Removing Rodents

It is difficult to trap rodents because different rodents require different baits. Big rodents will go for meat and cheese. Small rodents prefer seeds and peanut butter. It is also important to understand that all rodents are generally difficult to trap because they’re incredibly smart. If you’re dealing with a rodent problem in Tucson, reach out to Pest Friends. We use advanced methods and technologies to get rodents out and keep them out. This is the best way to get rid of rats and mice. Connect with us today for assistance.