Rodents are abundant in nature and where we live and work. Living in a city like Augusta, GA, means you might see or come close to several rodent species, such as Norway rats, black rats, house mice and deer mice. But there’s no need to worry, that’s where our specialized rodent control services come in!
There are many reasons to keep rodents out of your house, like their ability to create chaos in your home, cause structural damage, chew through electrical wires, and spread diseases. But good news—there are ways to prevent them.
Rodents 101: A Precursor to Rodent Control in Augusta, GA
Mice and rats are common critters in Augusta, GA, and our experts know all about them. Read on to learn their differences, Augusta rodent control tips, and when to call in a professional mouse or rat exterminator.
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Mice
Mice are less dependent on humans for survival than rats and once they have a secure nest, they stay pretty close to it—usually within 20 feet! But that doesn’t mean they won’t make themselves cozy in your house if they so please.
Once they make their way inside your home, mice will nest almost anywhere that’s undisturbed, including in the walls, closets, furniture, attics, cabinets, and appliances. They eat what we eat, so if you have a rodent problem, finding evidence of them in your kitchen and pantry is common.
Rats
Rats like living where people are, like in Augusta and other relatively large cities. They are great at moving underground and through sewers, so they can spread quickly.
Inside homes and buildings, they usually nest in warm, dark areas and can travel over 100 feet from their nests if they want. And unfortunately, they also eat a lot of what we eat.
There are two different types of rats commonly found in Augusta: Norway rats and Roof rats. Norway rats burrow and live in nests and tunnels underground and Roof rats, as their name implies, prefer to live up high.
Rodent Control: How to Prevent Rodents from Getting Into the House
Rodents are rude dudes once they get inside your home. Think of them as uninvited, insatiable, dirty roommates. They also carry dangerous diseases that can hurt you and your family. Get ahead of the need for a rat exterminator in Augusta, GA, by following these steps toward rodent prevention.
1. Seal rodents out.
Install door sweeps on all outside doors and make sure your windows are well screened. Seal all openings outside the home using steel wool, wire mesh, or similar materials.
Check the attic and the chimney for other entry points. Make sure crawl spaces are kept dry and well ventilated—rats love dark, damp places.
2. Eliminate the attraction.
Mice and rats aren’t picky when it comes to food, so keep all food items sealed and put away. Keep your house and kitchen clean and make sure garbage is emptied often and secured with tight-fitting lids.
Rodents will even eat pet food! Keep dry pet food and birdseed in sealable containers and store them in an outside storage room if possible. Bird feeders and pet food left outside can attract mice. Keep bird feeders clean—rodents love that stuff!
3. Limit their nesting options.
Get rid of wood, leaf piles, and debris near your house. Keep your lawn and trees trimmed. Rodents love cardboard, so don’t keep it lying around. Unused furniture can also be a welcome site for mice looking to get cozy.
4. Use mouse traps to help stop an ongoing infestation.
Think you might have a rodent housemate right now? Try placing traps perpendicular to walls, with the trigger facing toward the baseboard to ensure mice run directly into the trap as they run.
5. Don’t waste money on rodent repellents.
Science has proven that natural mouse repellents rarely work and, if they do, it’s not for long. A few of the most common substances include peppermint oil, toilet cakes, mothballs, ammonia, cat urine (gross!), and human hair. Some people think having a cat or dog will keep rodents away, but it’s best not to rely on your pets to be your mouse exterminators.

What if I Hear Rodents in the Walls?
Heard a squeak in the night? In hot and cold months, rodents may seek shelter inside. If they are in your walls, you may hear them moving around—usually at night. In fact, you might only hear them and never see them.
Unfortunately, having an infestation sometimes means that mice and rats may die inside your walls. It’s important to get dead rodents out of your home as soon as possible.
We don’t suggest going down the DIY route to get dead rodents out of the wall. Doing so usually leads to less-than-effective results and causes more damage to your home. This is where an educated rodent control specialist is critical to getting these critters out of your walls and your home.
What is the Best Way to Get Rid of Rats & Mice?
If you need a rat exterminator, your best bet is calling a Terminix rodent control expert at your local Augusta branch. After an initial inspection, they’ll create a custom treatment plan just for your home, including sealing and securing vulnerable entry points to help keep future rodent intruders out.

Terminix Can Help
Terminix experts aren’t like other mouse and rat exterminators. Our pest professionals have the knowledge, specialized training, and proven approach to protect your home, guaranteed.
Think you have rodent roommates? Call your local Augusta, South Carolina, branch for help.