Why the inspection comes first
Rats and mice are rarely the whole problem. The gaps they use are. A roof rat needs an opening of about half an inch and a mouse about a quarter of an inch, so a home can have a dozen ways in that nobody has noticed.
An inspection maps all of them before any trap goes down. That map is what separates a job that holds from one that has to be repeated every fall.
Signs it’s time for an inspection
- Scratching, scurrying or gnawing in the attic or walls, usually at night
- Droppings in the garage, under the sink, in cabinets or in the attic
- Chewed fruit on the tree, chewed boxes or chewed wiring
- A musky smell, or a sudden bad smell from a wall
- Grease marks along walls, beams or the top of a fence
- You’re buying or selling a home and want to know
What the inspection covers
- Roofline, eaves, roof and attic vents, and gaps around pipes and wires
- The attic: droppings, nesting, damaged insulation and ducts
- The crawlspace and foundation vents on raised-foundation homes
- Garage door seals, door sweeps and utility openings
- Photos of every entry point and a written plan before any work