What is exclusion and why does it cost so much?
Exclusion is sealing every opening a rodent could use in an Augusta home with materials they cannot chew: copper mesh, hardware cloth, sheet metal, mortar. It costs more than trapping because it is slow, awkward labor. In Augusta homes, it is also the only step that stops the problem from returning.
Can I just seal the holes myself?
You can, and many Augusta homeowners do. Pack copper mesh into gaps, then seal over with mortar. Skip foam alone; rodents chew through it. The hard part is finding all the openings, especially at the roofline, where an Augusta provider's experience pays off.
Is it safe to clean up droppings myself?
Light cleanup is fine if done wet. Ventilate, wear gloves and a mask, saturate with disinfectant, and wipe. Heavy contamination in an Augusta attic or crawlspace is different; that needs a respirator, protective suit, and HEPA equipment, which is where a provider earns their fee.
Are rats a bigger problem than mice?
Rats cause more damage and take longer to control. Their gnawing is heavier, they need daily water, and they can enter an Augusta home through sewer lines. Mice are less destructive per animal but multiply quickly. Both need trapping and exclusion; rats also often need exterior stations.
Do ultrasonic repellers work?
They do not solve rodent problems. An Augusta home with an active mouse population will still have one after plugging in a repeller. Save the money for snap traps and hardware cloth, or put it toward an Augusta inspection that finds the actual entry points.
How common are rodent problems in U.S. homes?
Very common over a lifetime. What the research adds for Augusta: if you have found a mouse in the house, you are in a large club: 49% of U.S. homeowners in a 2022 NPMA/Harris Poll reported a rodent encounter at some point in their lives, though that is not an annual infestation rate. Providers serving Augusta should be able to explain how their recommendation fits what they actually found on your property.
Are rodent problems in U.S. homes getting worse?
Not noticeably, on the national numbers. The same question comes up in Augusta: Eleven point eight percent of occupied U.S. homes, approximately, reported rodent signs in the preceding year, calculated from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Housing Survey (AHS) rounded counts of 15.7 million out of 133.2 million; it reflects reported signs, not confirmed infestations. Augusta homeowners comparing quotes should ask each provider which of these patterns they see locally and why.