Rodent Control in Olympia
Eliminating Rats & Mice Throughout Thurston County & Surrounding Counties
Rodent invasions can cause havoc in your home or business, causing damage to property and posing a health hazard. Rats and mice are the most common rodents that invade homes and businesses, with their small size allowing them to easily access buildings through tiny cracks and crevices. Not only do they contaminate food sources by leaving droppings behind, but they can also spread disease-causing parasites such as fleas and ticks.
That's why it’s important to take action quickly when you suspect a rodent infestation – the longer you wait, the more costly it will be to eliminate the problem! Venables Pest Management is here for all of your rodent control needs in Olympia - our experienced technicians have been extensively trained on how to eliminate rats and mice and keep them from returning after treatment. We specialize in exclusion services as well as prevention techniques so that your home or business remains free from these pesky invaders for good.
Reach out to our Olympia rodent control experts at (360) 443-5813 or complete our online form to schedule a free estimate. We proudly serve homes and businesses in Thurston County, Lewis County, Mason County, and surrounding areas.
Learn More About Rodents
Rats and mice may have physical differences, but they can both be equally disturbing when they invade your property. Rats are larger than mice and tend to leave behind signs of their presence more easily due to their bigger size. Mice, on the other hand, are smaller in size and can squeeze through small openings that rats cannot fit into. Both types of rodents can cause considerable damage if left unchecked - chewing through wires or woodwork, spreading bacteria throughout your home or business, contaminating food sources with urine or feces - so it’s important to take action quickly when you suspect a rodent infestation!
Rats
Did you know that a group of rats is called a “mischief”? These medium sized, long-tailed rodents carry many diseases, which makes them a public health concern. Their teeth are constantly growing so they are always chewing on something. In fact, the word “rodent” comes from the French word “rodere” which means “to gnaw.”
Throughout the years, our technicians have observed an array of extensive damage caused by rats. This includes chewing through pipes, vent screens, and electrical wiring to pop machines in restaurants and auto engine compartments of vehicles at auto dealerships. Destruction to insulation and material in attics and sub-areas are highly common. The destruction is also accompanied with fecal matter and urine which linger after they have been eliminated from that area. As a direct result, this acts as a calling card to other rats passing by.
Rats are nocturnal rodents that are highly skilled at staying out of sight. This often allows their presence to go completely unnoticed for extensive amounts of time.
Many years ago, the Norway rat was most common in Thurston County. Norway Rats are larger and travel closer to the ground. This makes them more susceptible to predators and causes roadways to limit their territories. About 20 years ago, the Roof Rat was first introduced to this area. They can now be found in all areas of the county (and surrounding counties).
Roof rats are skilled climbers and travel high up using tree branches, electrical lines, and rooftops. As a result, this allows them to better conceal themselves and avoid predators and other factors that otherwise limited the Norway Rat’s mobility.
Mice
Mice are small rodents that are skilled jumpers, climbers, and swimmers. They are extremely versatile and can get through a hole as small as the size of a dime. Mice reproduce quickly and can have up to 10 litters per year. A single mouse produces about 50 droppings per day, which can contaminate food sources and be a source of disease!
The most common mice are house mice and deer mice. House mice have gray fur, large ears, and a long tail with white feet and underbelly. Deer mice have light brown fur with white undersides, larger eyes than the house mouse, and a striped tail. Even though they are smaller and less threatening than rats, they can still cause considerable damage to your property.
Signs of an Infestation
Hearing noises or seeing droppings, damage caused in their wake, or the rat itself scurrying by are the most common signs homeowners observe. Rodents are active year-round. During warmer months they will primarily feed and nest outside. In cooler months, they must seek out new warmer areas. As a result, this draws them into crawl spaces and attics to avoid the cold weather.
Why Choose Us?
-
20+ Years Experience
-
Customized Treatment Plans
-
Family Owned & Operated
How We Get Rid of Rodents
At Venables Pest Management, we understand that rodent infestations can cause havoc in your home or business. That's why our experienced technicians are here to provide top-notch pest control services for all of your rodent control needs in Olympia and surrounding counties. We begin with an inspection to identify the type of rat or mouse present on your property, taking into the account their common signs.
Some of the control measures we take to achieve long-term control include the following:
- Baiting: Our technicians will use bait stations to lure and trap rats and mice.
- Trapping: We can also set up traps that are designed specifically for rodents.
- Exclusion: Our team specializes in exclusion services like sealing entry points, using metal mesh or screens on vents, and installing weatherstripping around doors to keep these pesky invaders from returning.
- Habitat modification: We may suggest removing potential food sources such as spilled grain, pet food, or bird feeders, cleaning up debris piles, trimming foliage and trees near buildings, and other measures that could help avoid future infestations.
- Rodenticide treatments (nontoxic): In certain situations, we may recommend the use of rodenticides to eliminate the population within a given area. However, all products used by Venables Pest Management are nontoxic so you don't have to worry about harm being caused to your family or pets.
Preventative Measures
The easiest way to ensure rodent infestations are controlled is by not letting it start in the first place. Regular inspections and baiting to reduce exterior populations are steps your pest control technician can take.
Additional things which you can do to help prevent rats and mice from reinvading your property are:
- Make sure vent screens, crawl space access panels, etc. remain secure and in place to prevent rodents from entering your structure.
- Eliminate food sources, such as bird seed and pet food
- Store all pet food in sealed containers
- Keep tree branches and bushes trimmed back so that they’re not in contact with your home’s structure
If you have been noticing a lot of activity around your yard or near your building, contact Venables Pest Management right away. Our knowledgeable technicians will come out to assess the situation, recommend what steps should be taken, and come up with a plan tailored specifically to your rodent problem. With our years of experience in rodent control, we’ll make sure the job is done right and the rodents won’t return. We also offer preventative maintenance programs to keep your property rodent-free all year round.
Contact us today at (360) 443-5813 for a free consultation! The Venables team is standing by and eager to assist you with fast and effective rodent control.
Pam Pratt“Provides consistently great customer service, always punctual, friendly, and on top of keeping the critters away!”