Around District of Columbia
Conditions vary across the state. Choose your city below, then describe what’s happening around your home or business.
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Local rodent information
Rodent control in District of Columbia
Learn what to look for around your property, explore your city, and ask about an inspection or a quote.
Rodents in District of Columbia: what to know
What to note
Where you see rodents, how long it has been going on, and anything you’ve already tried are the most useful details to mention.
A useful next step
Ask about an inspection, what treatment would involve, and whether follow-up visits are included. You don’t need to identify the problem yourself before getting in touch.
Local research
Rodents in District of Columbia: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which rodents actually live in District of Columbia, when they are busiest, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
approximately 250 complaints per month
Rodent complaints per month, 2014
Complaints arrive through 311 and the program dispatches rodent control specialists within two days of a complaint.
CDC (stacks.cdc.gov)Norway rats
Most common rodent in Washington, DC
The District program baits outdoor burrows on public property and, in some cases, private property; it does not trap.
CDC (stacks.cdc.gov)14 days
Window for burrow bait to take effect
DC Health waits 14 days between treatments so the chemical works fully and rats do not develop resistance.
DC HealthRodent species recorded in District of Columbia
- House mouse (Mus musculus) — Enters at 1/4 inch; 5-10 litters per year; eats about 200 small meals a night.
- Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) — Burrowing rat of basements, sewers and ground floors; tail shorter than head plus body.
The District's program has run for almost 50 years and baits burrows on public land; interior work on private property is the owner's responsibility.
Rules that apply in District of Columbia
For context, nationally
Sources: CDC (stacks.cdc.gov); DC Health; CDC; Pest Notes: House Mouse; Pest Notes: Rats. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources
