How do I know if I have mice or rats?
Size is the tell. Mouse droppings are rice-sized and pointed; rat droppings are raisin-sized. In Kent homes, mice are usually in the kitchen and walls, while rats tend to be in the attic, crawlspace, or garage. Rat gnaw marks are larger, and their rub marks are heavier.
Do I need to replace attic insulation?
Sometimes. If the rodents were in your Kent attic for a season or more, the insulation is likely soaked and holding odor that will keep attracting new rodents. Short-term activity usually means spot cleanup rather than full replacement. Ask for photos of the affected areas.
What is exclusion and why does it cost so much?
It is the carpentry side of pest control. A Kent provider closes gaps at pipes, vents, rooflines, garage doors, and foundations, usually a dozen or more openings. The materials are cheap; the time and ladder work are not. Exclusion is priced by the opening or by the job.
Are snap traps better than poison?
Most Kent providers trap indoors and reserve bait for exterior stations. Traps give proof of progress and no hidden carcasses. Bait stations outside reduce the population before it reaches the walls. Using poison inside a Kent home is the most common DIY mistake and the hardest to undo.
Is it safe to clean up droppings myself?
Small jobs, yes. Big jobs, no. A few droppings under the sink in a Kent kitchen can be handled with gloves, disinfectant, and a wet wipe-down. An attic full of droppings and soaked insulation is a health hazard that a Kent homeowner should leave to someone with proper gear.
How common are rodent problems in U.S. homes?
Very common over a lifetime. The same question comes up in Kent: in a Harris Poll conducted for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) in September 2022, covering more than 1,300 U.S. homeowners, 49% said they had ever dealt with rodents, which describes lifetime experience, not how many homes are infested this year. Kent homeowners comparing quotes should ask each provider which of these patterns they see locally and why.
Do homes with rodents usually have other pests too?
Often enough to matter. A number that shapes expectations in Kent as much as anywhere: two point nine million occupied U.S. homes reported seeing both rodents and cockroaches in the previous 12 months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 American Housing Survey (AHS), a count of reported sightings and signs rather than confirmed infestations. Local conditions in Kent, Washington can differ from the survey population, so confirm the specifics with an on-site inspection.