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Rodents · Pest library
Mouse, rat and rodent control in Toronto, the GTA and cottage country
As nights cool in the fall, mice and rats look for warm shelter, and homes and closed-up cottages are easy targets. A mouse can squeeze through a gap about the width of a pencil.
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How to identify mice and rodents
Two rodents cause almost all indoor problems.
House mice
Small, with large ears and a long tail. They can fit through a gap about 6 mm wide.
Norway rats
Heavy-bodied and brown, often burrowing near foundations. They can fit through a gap about 12 mm wide.
Signs to look for
- Droppings: mice 3–6 mm and rice-shaped, rats 12–18 mm
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, wood or wiring
- Scratching or scurrying in walls or ceilings at night
- Greasy rub marks along walls, and nests of shredded paper or insulation
Why mice and rodents come inside
What draws them in
Rodents want warmth, food and nesting material. Once one finds a way in, others can follow the same route.
Health and home risks
Rodents contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and urine and can spread disease. Their chewing can damage insulation and wiring, which can be a fire risk.
How we handle mice and rodents
Find every way in
A full inspection from foundation to roofline.
Remove the rodents
Tamper-resistant stations and traps, placed away from kids and pets.
Find entry points
We look for how mice are getting in and show you the gaps.
Monitor
Stations checked and refreshed at every seasonal visit.
Prevention tips
- Store food, birdseed and pet food in sealed metal or hard plastic containers
- Keep garbage bins closed and away from the house
- Stack firewood off the ground and away from walls
- Seal gaps around pipes, vents and the garage door
- Cut back shrubs along the foundation
- Close cottages up properly before winter
Common questions about mice and rodents
I've only seen one mouse. Do I have a problem?
Usually, yes. Mice breed quickly and are mostly active at night, so one sighting often means more.
Do you use poison inside my home?
We use tamper-resistant stations and traps placed where kids and pets can't reach them, and we explain exactly what we use and where.
Related pests
Reviewed by PestDepart's licensed exterminators. For health concerns, including bites or stings, contact your doctor or local public health unit.