The short version
The fix for rodents in Garland, Texas, is sealing entry gaps, trapping the animals already inside, and treating for the fleas they leave behind. Texas DSHS counts Dallas-Fort Worth among the regions where rat-borne typhus is now established, so removing rats without handling fleas only solves half the problem. Expect year-round activity with a surge in fall.
- Rats and their fleas are the reservoir for flea-borne typhus, per Texas DSHS.
- Over 8,600 Texas typhus cases were reported from 2008 through 2025.
- Seal to a quarter inch; the CDC says that is all a mouse needs.
- Garland's 96F summers send rodents after irrigation water and pet bowls.
- Renters should report rodents in writing and ask the owner about sealing, not just traps.
This is for Garland homeowners hearing activity in the attic or walls, renters in houses, duplexes or apartments who need the owner to act, and small business owners with kitchens, storage rooms or loading areas. It also helps anyone with a dog or cat who has started picking up fleas without a clear reason, which can be a sign rats are close by.
What to look for
Four rodents matter in Garland: roof rats, Norway rats, house mice and, in outbuildings, deer mice. Roof rats climb into attics by way of trees, fences and power lines. Norway rats dig along foundations, under sheds and around trash areas and come in low through garage doors, crawlspace gaps and plumbing openings. House mice settle into walls, cabinets and storage rooms. A city of about 245,000 with urban density means homes, businesses and trash collection points sit close together, which shortens the distance a rat travels between food and nest. The climate keeps them going year-round. Highs near 96F in summer push rodents toward irrigation lines, pet water and air conditioner drip lines, and 36F winter lows send them into attics and walls for warmth. The health piece is fleas. Texas DSHS says rats and their fleas carry flea-borne typhus, and cases now concentrate in the Dallas-Fort Worth region along with South Texas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin areas.
- 1Droppings in kitchen drawers, under the sink, or along garage walls.
- 2Chewed wiring behind appliances or in the attic, sometimes with flickering lights.
- 3Gnawed holes at the bottom corners of doors or along baseboards.
- 4Rats moving along fence tops or power lines around dusk.
- 5Burrows along the foundation or under sheds, with fresh dirt at the opening.
- 6Pets picking up fleas even though they stay mostly indoors.
- 7A musty, ammonia-like smell in a closet, cabinet or attic.
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Texas DSHS reports about 72 percent of typhus patients were hospitalized, so rat fleas are a real health concern.
- UC IPM puts Norway rats at four to six litters a year, so the population grows quickly.
- Chewed wiring can lead to electrical shorts and fire risk inside walls and attics.
- Contaminated food and surfaces in kitchens and pantries need to be thrown out or cleaned.
- A small problem in one unit of a duplex or apartment can spread to neighboring units.
Treatment options and typical costs
Sealing entry points
Quoted after inspection
Gaps at the roofline, vents, garage doors, crawlspace openings and plumbing penetrations are closed with steel wool, hardware cloth, sheet metal or mortar. Since a mouse can enter through a quarter-inch gap, the work has to be detailed. Without sealing, traps and bait only remove the rodents that are there now, not the ones that come next.
- Time
- One to two days
- Best for
- Every home with ongoing activity
Snap trapping
Quoted after inspection
Traps placed along walls, in attics and in garages catch the rodents already inside. Return visits check and reset them until catches stop. Trapping avoids rodents dying in walls, which matters in Garland's heat, where a carcass quickly turns into an odor and fly problem.
- Time
- Two to four weeks
- Best for
- Active rats or mice inside living areas
Flea treatment
Quoted after inspection
When rats leave or are trapped, their fleas look for a new host. Treating attics, crawlspaces and nesting spots for fleas, and keeping pets on flea prevention, lowers the chance of typhus exposure. Ask the provider whether flea treatment is included or quoted separately.
- Time
- One or two visits
- Best for
- Homes with pets or heavy rat activity
Exterior bait stations
Quoted after inspection
Locked bait stations along fences and foundations reduce outdoor rat pressure, especially near alleys, dumpsters and commercial areas. They should be tamper resistant and placed where kids and pets cannot reach them. Stations are a supplement to sealing, not a replacement.
- Time
- Ongoing monthly service
- Best for
- Properties near alleys, dumpsters or businesses
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
Clutter gives mice cover. Keeping stored fabric in lidded bins and off the floor takes away the nesting spots they like best.Which rodents live in Garland, and where do they hide?
Texas DSHS says hantavirus cases in the state are rare, but CDC cleanup rules still apply to their droppings. Deer mice are less common in town but show up in sheds and outbuildings. They are small enough to turn up in kitchen drawers and pantry shelves. House mice need only a quarter-inch gap and nest in walls, cabinets and storage rooms. Burrows with fresh dirt are a giveaway. They burrow along foundations, under sheds and near trash areas, then come in at ground level through garage doors, crawlspace openings and plumbing gaps. Norway rats are diggers. If you hear noise overhead at night, it is likely a roof rat. They run along fences, trees and power lines and get into attics through roof vents, gaps at the roofline and damaged soffits. Roof rats are climbers. Knowing which one you have tells you where to look and what to seal. Garland homes deal with four rodents, and each prefers a different spot.
Fleas, typhus and why Garland rat control is a health issue.
If anyone in the home develops a fever after flea bites, tell a doctor about the rodent exposure. Ask the provider about flea treatment in attics, crawlspaces and nesting areas, and keep pets on flea prevention. When rats are removed, their fleas look for a new host, often a pet or a person. That changes what a good rat plan includes. DSHS now lists the Dallas-Fort Worth area as an established region, and Garland is part of that area. The disease used to center on South Texas. Over the full 2008 to 2025 span, the state counted more than 8,600 cases, with about 72 percent hospitalized and 17 deaths. Texas DSHS reports that flea-borne typhus, carried by rats and their fleas, has grown from 135 cases in 2010 to 1,110 in 2025. In Texas, they are also a disease problem because of their fleas. Most people think of rats as a property problem.
This is what a proper seal looks like: metal mesh fastened with screws and sealed at the edges. Foam or caulk on its own gets chewed through.Renters, landlords and who pays for rodent work.
With Garland's median home value around $275,000, a one-time sealing job is a reasonable investment for most owners. A written plan from the provider, listing openings sealed, traps placed and follow-up visits, makes it clear what was done. For both sides, keeping a record helps. Shared walls let rodents move between units, so in a duplex or apartment building the units on either side deserve a look as well. A building with open gaps will keep generating complaints and turnover. If you own a rental, sealing is usually the cheapest long-term fix. Ask the owner whether the plan includes sealing entry points and flea treatment, since traps alone do not stop new rodents. Note where you see droppings or damage and whether you have heard activity in walls or the attic. If you rent, report the problem in writing with photos and dates. When rodents show up in a Garland rental, whether a single-family house, a duplex or an apartment, who pays and who acts depends on your lease, so start there.
Rodent prevention on a budget for Garland homes.
These steps will not fix an active infestation, but they cut down the chances of a new one. Finally, trim branches and vines away from the roof so roof rats cannot climb on. Use bins with tight lids for trash, store pet food and birdseed in metal containers, and keep kitchen counters clear overnight. Then handle food. Fix dripping faucets, AC condensate lines and irrigation leaks, and bring pet bowls in at night. Summer highs near 96F make water the biggest draw. Next, cut off water. Add a door sweep to any exterior door that shows light at the bottom. Pack them with steel wool and seal over it with caulk. Walk the foundation and look for gaps around pipes, vents and utility lines. Start outside. A few inexpensive steps go a long way. You do not need to spend a lot to make a Garland home harder for rodents to use.
Reading a Garland rodent quote line by line.
If activity returns within a set time, find out whether the provider returns and what it costs. Callback terms should be in writing. Ask whether droppings and soiled insulation are included or priced separately. Cleanup may be extra. Given the Texas DSHS link between rat fleas and typhus, it belongs in any North Texas rat plan. Flea treatment should appear as a line item or be explained. Trapping should say how many traps, where, and how many follow-up visits are included. Foam alone does not. Steel wool, hardware cloth, sheet metal and mortar hold up. Sealing should name materials. If the quote does not name openings, ask for them. Inspection notes should list specific openings: roof vents, soffit gaps, garage door corners, crawlspace vents, pipe and utility penetrations. When a provider hands you a quote for a Garland home, check each line against what the job should include.
What affects the price
- The number and type of openings, from small pipe gaps to larger damaged vents.
- Whether the home has a crawlspace or slab, which changes how Norway rats get in.
- Attic size and how much insulation is contaminated.
- Whether flea treatment is added to the rodent plan.
- How many follow-up trap checks are included.
- Multi-unit buildings, where several units may need inspection and sealing.
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What's your biggest concern about rodents?
When to call for help
Call a professional if you see rats rather than one mouse, hear activity in walls or the attic for more than a few nights, or find chewed wiring. Around Garland, add fleas to that list. If pets are picking up fleas without a clear source and you have rodent signs, the two may be connected, and Texas DSHS lists Dallas-Fort Worth among the areas where flea-borne typhus is established. Renters should report the problem to the owner in writing right away so sealing can be scheduled.
What you can do yourself
If you have a mouse or two in the kitchen, you can usually handle it. Snap traps baited with peanut butter, set along the wall behind the stove and refrigerator, work well. Seal gaps under sinks with steel wool and caulk, and add a door sweep to any exterior door with a gap. Rats, attics and anything involving fleas are where a provider earns the cost. Finding every roof and foundation opening takes experience, and closing them often means ladder work and sheet metal. Trapping rats out of an attic also takes more planning than setting a few traps. And in Texas, the flea angle matters: a provider can treat for fleas while removing rats so fleas do not move to pets or people. For a home near Garland's median value of about $275,000, sealing once is usually cheaper than ongoing trapping.
Rodents in Garland
Garland was founded in 1891 and grew into a Dallas suburb of about 245,000 people with a diverse economy. If a commercial trash area, loading dock or storage building sits near your street, rats have food and cover close at hand. Urban density means rodents do not have to travel far. The city sits at 551 feet and gets about 39 inches of rain a year, which keeps lawns and shrubs thick through much of the year. Summer highs around 96F make water a big draw, so irrigation, pet bowls and AC lines become targets even with average humidity near 66 percent. Winter lows near 36F push rodents indoors without killing them. With a median home value around $275,000, many households want a fix that is practical and lasts.
Local research
Rodents in Garland, TX: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which rodents actually live in Texas, when they are busiest around Garland, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
Flea-borne (murine) typhus cases reported in Texas, 2008-2025
Texas reports more flea-borne typhus than any other state; rats and their fleas are the natural reservoir.
Texas Department of State Health ServicesRodent species recorded in Texas
- 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.
- Roof rat (Rattus rattus) — Climber of attics and trees in warm and coastal regions; tail longer than head plus body.
- Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) — Primary U.S. hantavirus carrier; lives throughout Washington and the interior West.
When rodents are busiest around Garland
Year-round, fall surge. Roof rats dominate Florida, Texas and Gulf Coast attics.
Based on Garland’s humid subtropical climate profile.
Rat control in Texas is a flea-borne typhus issue as much as a structural one, so flea treatment goes with rodent removal.
For context, nationally
- 1/4 inch (the width of a pencil) — Smallest gap a mouse can enter. CDC
- 890; 35% fatal; 94% west of the Mississippi — Hantavirus cases reported since 1993 (through 2023). CDC
Sources: Texas Department of State Health Services; CDC; Pest Notes: House Mouse; Pest Notes: Rats; Hantavirus. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources
Simple ways to keep rodents away
- Keep trash in bins with tight lids and keep bins away from the house wall.
- Seal gaps around pipes, vents and utility lines with steel wool, caulk or hardware cloth.
- Trim branches and vines away from the roof to keep roof rats off.
- Fix dripping outdoor faucets and AC drip lines that give rodents water in summer.
- Feed pets indoors and do not leave food bowls out overnight.
- Keep pets on year-round flea prevention given the typhus risk in Texas.
- Clear clutter and stacked materials from garages and sheds where mice nest.
A good rodent quote lists the inspection, the number of trapping visits, each opening to be sealed and the material for it, and any cleanup.Did you know?
Texas reports more flea-borne typhus than any other state, with rats and their fleas as the natural reservoir.
Norway rats can wean 20 or more young in a single year from four to six litters.
The CDC lists rat-bite fever, salmonellosis and tularemia among diseases rodents can spread directly to people.
Questions people ask
Do rats in Garland carry typhus?
Rats and their fleas are the natural reservoir for flea-borne typhus in Texas, according to Texas DSHS. The disease was once concentrated in South Texas, but DSHS now lists the Dallas-Fort Worth area among established regions. That includes Garland, so rodent control here should come with a plan for fleas, especially in homes with pets.
What should a renter in Garland do about rats?
Report the problem to the owner or property manager in writing, with photos of droppings, damage or the rodent if you can get one. Ask whether the plan includes sealing entry points and flea treatment, not just traps. Check your lease for pest control terms. Keeping food sealed and trash covered helps while the work is scheduled.
Why do I find rats near my air conditioner?
In Garland's summer heat, with highs around 96F, rodents are looking for water. AC condensate lines, leaky faucets, irrigation valves and pet bowls are easy sources. Rats may also use the gap around the refrigerant line where it enters the house. Fix drips and seal that line opening with steel wool and sealant.
How many typhus cases does Texas have?
Texas DSHS reports more than 8,600 flea-borne typhus cases from 2008 through 2025, more than any other state. The 2025 count of 1,110 was the peak of that span, compared with 135 in 2010. About 72 percent of patients were hospitalized and 17 died over the period.
Can I just use poison to get rid of rats?
Poison alone usually leaves the entry points open, so new rats keep coming. Poisoned rats also die in walls and attics, and their fleas leave the body looking for a new host, which is a concern in Texas. Trapping plus sealing, with bait only in locked outdoor stations if needed, gives you a clearer result.
Are rodents worse in fall or summer in Garland?
Rodents stay active in Garland all year, but fall brings a surge as cooling nights push them indoors. Summer brings water-seeking behavior and chewed irrigation lines. Winter lows near 36F keep them in attics and walls. The best time to seal is late summer or early fall, before the surge.
How small a hole can a mouse get through?
Per the CDC, a gap no wider than a pencil, roughly a quarter inch, lets a mouse squeeze through. Rats need a bit more room but can chew small holes bigger. Seal with steel wool, hardware cloth, sheet metal or mortar, since rodents chew through foam, wood and plastic.
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Sources (6)
The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Rodent Exterminator · Updated October 11, 2026 · How we write these guides