Rodent Control

Effective Rodent Control Services in Austin, TX

Rodent Control: Get Rid of Rats and Mice in Austin For Good!

YardDoc’s rodent control services protect your home, family, and pets from damage and disease caused by mice and rats.

Rodents common to Austin like the house mouse, roof rat, and Norway rat pose serious health risks and can cause costly property damage. Get rid of them through our eco-friendly methods.

Our holistic pest control methods are built around an Integrated Pest Management philosophy. IPM is an environmentally responsible method of pest control that involves strategies such as the exclusion of pest entry points, nesting and breeding prevention, baiting, trapping, sanitation, and minimal use of rodenticides.

Rodent Control Starts with Identification

The first step is to identify the types of rats, mice, and other pests invading your home in an unhealthy way. The two most common rats found in Texas are the Norway Rat and the Roof Rat. Next, we identify what is attracting them and how they are gaining access. At this point, YardDoc will create a customized rodent control plan. Take a look at our happy customer reviews from our service.

Norway Rats and Roof Rats: Austin's Most Common Rodents

The Norway rat is bigger, lighter in color, and with a tail that is shorter than its body. The Roof rat is a smaller rat that is much darker, often nearly black and has a tail that is longer than the rest of its body.

The Norway rat (Rattus Norvegicus) is also known as the brown rat, common rat, street rat, or sewer rat, and is widespread across Texas. It is a brown or grey rodent that grows up to 28cm long, with a slightly shorter tail.

Color: Brown or grey.
Size: Head and body up to 11inches long, tail slightly shorter than that (up to 18 inches nose to tail).
Life span: Up to two years.
Diet: Omnivorous, eating various plant materials including seeds, grain, nuts, and fruit and then whatever carnivorous options it can tackle, such as mice, young birds, birds’ eggs, and a variety of insects.

Norway rats like to stay close to the ground and are strong diggers that will dig burrows.

The Roof rat (Rattus Rattus), also known as the black rat, ship rat, or house rat. It is a common long-tailed rodent.

Color: Black to light brown with a lighter underside.
Size: Head and body 5 to 7 inches long, tail longer than the body (up to 12 inches nose to tail).
Life span: Up to one year.
Diet: Omnivorous, eating a wide range of foods, including fruits and nuts, seeds, and a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates. They will eat pretty much anything.

Roof rats forage for food above ground and they often run across utility lines and tree branches to enter houses where they generally nest in attics, drop ceilings, and inside walls.

Eliminate Rats and Mice With Our Eco-Friendly Approach

We achieve this by making your home and surroundings as uninviting to rodents and other pests as possible

How to Make Your Home Less Attractive to Rodents

We can also help you take steps on your own to make your home less inviting for rodents in a manner that is effective while remaining environmentally friendly. Here are some tips to prevent rats, mice, and other pests from finding sanctuary on your property.

Eliminate Nesting and Access Areas

Landscape, tree and lawn care are an important part of rodent control. Trim or remove bushes and plants that rodents can hide in. Keep your lawn mowed. Trim overhanging branches rodents may use to gain access to your home. Remove dog waste regularly. All of these tips also help increase your curb appeal, making it less appealing for rodents. Build a frame yourself or use our handyman services for your woodpile that you use for your fire-pit or an outdoor kitchen, and keep it fifty feet away from your home. Left on wet grass, wood decomposes, attracting insects that use it as a food source. It is also the perfect home for spiders, wasps, and rodents.

Eliminate Standing Water

Rodents and urban wildlife are drawn to fresh water sources. Mosquitoes breed in still collections of water. Therefore, don’t keep pet water dishes outside, maintain your irrigation or sprinkler system, repair areas of your yard where rainwater gathers, install and maintain a gutter system, set mosquito traps, and have your pool maintained regularly, especially during long absences.

Eliminate Food Sources

Don’t let dirty dishes sit in the sink or countertop. Wipe down surfaces and sweep or vacuum regularly to remove spilled liquids and crumbs. Store food in airtight plastic, glass, or metal containers. Ensure your trash bins have tight-fitting lids and empty them regularly. Thoroughly wash and disinfect your trash cans monthly to deter flies and rodents.

Why Do I have a Rat Problem?

Food Source: There will always be a food source nearby as, unfortunately, rats can eat almost anything. This includes the nuts or fruit of a tree, a compost heap, pet food, and bird food.
Shelter: Your home provides a place where the rodents can shelter from the elements, under a wood pile, in your attic, under your house, and in your wall voids.
Water: Rats need a source of water to sustain them, and your property provides it.

Get Help From an Experienced Austin Rat Exterminator

Get in touch to schedule a free inspection from our expert rat exterminator team.