If you hear scratching or scurrying inside your walls, you may have rodents living in there. The best way to get rid of rodents in walls is to first block entry points, set traps safely, and then follow up with prevention steps to keep them from coming back. In some cases, calling a professional pest control service is the safest and fastest solution.
This guide will walk you through how to get rid of rodents in walls including the signs, risks, and proven steps for removing rodents from your walls.
How Do You Know If Rodents Are in Your Walls?
Rodents don’t always show themselves, but they leave clues. Here are the most common signs:
- Noises: Scratching, gnawing, or scampering, especially at night.
- Odors: Strong smells from urine, droppings, or even a dead rodent.
- Damage: Chewed wires, insulation, or small holes near baseboards.
- Pets acting oddly: Cats or dogs staring at or pawing at walls.
If you notice two or more of these, there’s a good chance rodents have made a nest inside your walls.
Why Rodents in Walls Are a Serious Problem
Having rodents in your walls isn’t just unpleasant. It can lead to costly and dangerous problems:
- Health risks: Rodents can carry diseases like hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis. Their droppings and dander can also trigger allergies.
- Fire hazards: According to the Pest World, rodents cause an estimated 20–25% of house fires with unknown origins due to chewed electrical wires.
- Property damage: They destroy insulation, chew drywall, and weaken structural wood.
- Infestations spreading: If left untreated, a few rodents can quickly turn into a large colony.
Steps to Take Immediately
If you suspect rodents in your walls, here’s what to do right away:
- Secure food sources: Store pantry items in sealed containers, clean up crumbs, and keep pet food off the floor.
- Check for entry points: Look for cracks, holes, and gaps both inside and outside your home.
- Don’t use poison inside walls: This often leads to dead rodents decaying in hard-to-reach places, causing odors and secondary pest issues.
- Stay safe: Avoid tearing into walls until you know the source of the problem.
How to Get Rid of Rodents in Walls
Here’s a clear process you can follow:
1. Inspect for Entry Points
Walk around your home’s exterior, attic, and crawlspaces. Pay attention to:
- Openings near plumbing and utility lines
- Rooflines and attic vents
- Gaps under doors or around windows
Even a hole the size of a dime can allow a mouse inside.
2. Seal Openings
Before you set traps, it’s important to close off any entry points so new rodents can’t sneak back in. Even if you catch a few, leaving gaps open means more will just take their place.
When sealing, focus on areas where utilities enter your home, around the foundation, attic vents, and crawlspaces. Remember, mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime, and rats only need about the size of a quarter.
Here are some proven materials you can use:
- Steel wool for small gaps: Rodents can’t chew through steel wool. Pack it tightly into holes or cracks and secure it with caulk to keep it in place.
- Caulk or expanding foam around pipes: Seal the spaces where plumbing, gas, or electrical lines enter the home. Choose rodent-resistant foam if possible, since regular foam may be chewed through over time.
- Metal mesh or hardware cloth for larger holes: For vents, chimneys, or bigger openings, cover them with wire mesh or hardware cloth. Make sure the material has openings smaller than ¼ inch to block mice and rats.
Pro tip: Don’t rely on softer materials like plastic, rubber, or wood fillers. Rodents can chew right through them. Stick to strong, durable options that are made to last.
3. Set Traps Safely
Traps are one of the most effective tools for actually removing rodents once they’re inside. They work best when paired with sealing entry points so you’re not just catching rodents while new ones keep entering.
Here are the most common trap options:
- Snap traps: Quick and effective
These are the classic wooden or plastic traps that kill rodents instantly when triggered. They’re inexpensive, reliable, and often the first choice for homeowners. For best results, place them along baseboards, behind appliances, or in areas where you see droppings or gnaw marks. Use a small amount of peanut butter, nuts, or seeds as bait. - Electronic traps: More modern and humane
These battery-powered traps deliver a high-voltage shock that kills rodents instantly. They’re easy to set up, reusable, and contain the rodent inside for easier disposal. Many people prefer them because they’re less messy than snap traps.
Placement tips:
- Place traps along walls where rodents naturally travel. They prefer to run with one side of their body against a surface for safety.
- Put traps in dark, quiet areas like under sinks, behind stoves, or near food storage.
- Use multiple traps at once to increase your chances of success.
- Check traps daily and dispose of rodents promptly to avoid odors.
Avoid placing traps directly inside wall voids. If a rodent dies inside a wall, it can cause strong odors and may be hard to remove.
4. Consider Baits Carefully
Bait can be useful, but it must be used with caution. Many homeowners make the mistake of placing poison inside walls, which often leads to dead rodents decomposing in hidden spaces — creating foul smells and even attracting secondary pests like flies.
Here’s what you should know:
- Types of baits:
- Food-based bait blocks: These are common but can be risky indoors.
- Non-toxic lures: Products made to attract rodents to traps without poisoning them are safer for homes with kids and pets.
- Professional-grade baits: Often stronger and used strategically by pest control experts in tamper-proof stations.
- Where to place baits:
- Keep bait stations outside the home or in garages, sheds, or crawlspaces.
- Never leave loose bait where children, pets, or other wildlife can reach it.
- Place bait near suspected entry points to stop rodents before they make it inside.
- Safety considerations:
- Always read and follow the label instructions.
- Use tamper-resistant bait stations if children or pets are in the home.
- Consider non-poison alternatives if you’re unsure.
In most cases, bait is better left to professionals. They know how to use it effectively without creating secondary problems in your home.
5. Call a Professional Pest Control Service
If the problem doesn’t go away within a few days, or if you hear rodents in multiple parts of your home, it’s time to call an expert. Professionals have tools and training to:
- Safely remove rodents from walls
- Identify hidden entry points
- Provide long-term prevention
All South Pest Control’s rodent services can help you solve the problem quickly and safely.
Prevent Rodents from Coming Back
Once rodents are removed, prevention is key. Here’s how:
- Store food properly: Use sealed glass or metal containers.
- Maintain a clean kitchen: Wipe counters, sweep floors, and empty trash daily.
- Trim landscaping: Keep trees and shrubs cut back from your home’s exterior.
- Inspect regularly: Check attics, basements, and crawlspaces for new gaps.
- Schedule professional inspections: Yearly pest control visits can stop problems before they start.
Related Questions
Can rodents chew through walls?
Yes. Mice and rats can chew through drywall, wood, and even some plastics to create openings.
How long can a rodent live inside walls?
Rodents can survive as long as they have food and water nearby. They often travel between walls and kitchens.
What’s the safest way to get rid of rodents if I have kids or pets?
Traps are safer than poisons. Professionals can also use child- and pet-safe methods.
Should I call an exterminator or can I handle it myself?
Small issues can sometimes be managed with traps and sealing entry points. Larger infestations almost always require professional help.
How much does professional rodent removal cost?
Costs vary depending on the size of the infestation and the type of service. Many homeowners find it’s more cost-effective long term than repeated DIY attempts.
Conclusion
Hearing rodents in your walls is never a good sign. Acting quickly can protect your family’s health, your home, and your peace of mind. Start by sealing entry points, setting traps, and cutting off food sources. But if the problem persists, professional help is the fastest and safest way forward.
Ready to stop rodents in your home? Schedule an inspection with All South Pest Control today!
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