People often delay calling because they do not know what to expect. They worry about strangers in the house, surprise costs or being pressured. A clear description of the process makes the decision easier.
The first call.
A dispatcher answers, day or night. They will ask what you have noticed, where, and for how long. They will also ask for your street address and ZIP code, to confirm that you are within our range.
- Sounds, sights or smells, and the date.
- Which rooms or areas are affected.
- Whether you have pets or children at home.
- Type of building: house, townhome, shop or office.
- Anything unusual, such as a recent storm or construction.
You will be offered the earliest realistic arrival window, and you will hear plainly if same-day service is not possible.
Before the technician arrives.
A few small steps help. Do not clean up droppings or move boxes, because they are evidence. Keep pets away from the affected rooms. Make the attic hatch and the garage easy to reach.
- Take photographs of anything you plan to mention.
- Note the times when you hear noises.
- Put away food that is not in sealed containers.
- Keep the area quiet so the technician can listen.
The inspection.
The technician starts outside, walking the property and noting trees, fences, drainage, vents and gaps. Then they move to the roofline, the attic or crawl space if accessible and the rooms where signs appeared.
They look for droppings, gnaw marks, rub smears, nests and burrows, and they ask about what you saw. By the end, they should be able to name the animal and explain where it enters. See the inspection page for details.
The written estimate.
When the inspection wraps up, you are handed a written list of suggested steps. Each carries its own price, and you choose which to accept. Common entries are trap work, gap closing, debris removal and repairs.
| Step. | What it covers. | When it happens. |
|---|---|---|
| Trapping and removal. | Placing and checking traps, removing animals. | First, once you approve. |
| Exclusion. | Closing entry points with metal and sealant. | After animals are removed or trapped. |
| Cleanup. | Taking out pellets, nests and ruined insulation. | After sealing. |
| Repair. | Replacing damaged materials. | After cleanup, as needed. |
If something on the list seems unnecessary, ask why. The technician should explain each item in plain language.
Not ready to book anything? Chat with us anyway, because a question commits you to nothing.
(888) 686-4821Trapping.
Traps or stations go on the routes the technician found. They are checked on a schedule, and you are told when. The trapping page explains how it works and why placement matters.
Sealing.
Once the animals are gone, each entry is shut with mesh, flashing and sealant. This is the lasting part of the job. Read the specifics on the metal sealing page.
The recheck.
A second visit checks that the traps are empty and the seals are intact. If anything new appears, the technician adjusts the plan. You receive a written note of what was found and done.
Cleanup and repair.
Cleanup, if needed, follows sealing. Damaged insulation, wiring covers or drywall can be repaired afterward. Read about these steps on the attic cleanup page and the damage repair page.
Safety during the visit.
Technicians wear gloves and protective gear and follow CDC guidance when handling droppings and nests. If you want to ask about products or pets, do so before work begins. The safety box below summarizes what we recommend you do before calling.
Afterward.
- Keep food in sealed containers.
- Trim limbs that touch the roof.
- Check garage seals and vents monthly.
- Call if you notice new signs.
A single visit does not always finish the job. Rodents are persistent, and a follow-up helps confirm that the problem is solved.
Before you call: why droppings and dust need care.
Thinking of tidying up before our crew arrives? Work through this list in order and stop at any point that feels unclear.
- A leaf blower in the garage is the worst idea on this list, and a household vacuum is a close second.
- Let a cross-breeze pass through for roughly half an hour, then go in, and skip the sniff test.
- Bare skin should never meet pellets, urine spots or nesting scraps, so gloves go on first.
- Spray droppings and urine spots with disinfectant, or with bleach cut with water, until they glisten, then allow roughly five minutes.
- Everything touched by the cleanup, from towels to gloves, rides to the outdoor bin in a knotted bag.
- Tell your doctor about any rodent contact if you fall ill within a few weeks, since we stick to pest control.
Agency references.
Federal agencies wrote the rules on cleanup and on handling bait, and those pages are linked here.
- CDC advice on cleaning rodent areas: The air, soak and bag routine that this page's cleanup advice borrows from.
- CDC prevention guidance: CDC explanation of hantavirus, with tips for keeping rodents away from living spaces and cars.