Windsor, Ontario
Mice & rodent control
Droppings in a cupboard, chewed packaging or scratching in the walls at night? Tell us what you've found and where. We'll help you work out whether it's mice or rats, and what to do about it.
Estimates are free.
Signs of mice and rats
Droppings, gnaw marks, scratching at night, nests and burrows: any one of these is worth mentioning when you get in touch. Where you found it matters as much as what it is.
Droppings
Small and dark. Mouse droppings are about the size of a grain of rice; rat droppings are closer to a bean.
Scratching at night
Scampering or scratching sounds in the walls, most often after dark.
Gnaw marks
Chewed food packaging or wood. Fresh gnaw marks look pale.
Nests and a musky smell
Shredded paper, fabric or insulation gathered in a hidden spot, sometimes with a stale, musky odour.
Rub marks and tracks
Dark, greasy smudges along walls, pipes or beams, and tracks on dusty surfaces.
Burrows outside
Round or oval holes in the ground near foundations, gardens or garbage containers can point to rats.
Where activity shows up
In the kitchen
- Cabinets and pantries
- Behind and under appliances
- Around pipes under sinks
Elsewhere inside
- Near the furnace and water heater
- Inside walls
- Basements, attics and crawl spaces
Outside and in outbuildings
- Garages, sheds and woodpiles
- Along foundations, and near garbage or composters
How they get in
A mouse can squeeze through a gap of about 0.6 cm, and a rat through one of about 1 cm, so small gaps matter. Common entry points include:
- Gaps under doors and worn thresholds
- Cracks in the foundation
- Gaps around pipes and utility lines
- Dryer vents, attic vents and soffits
- Where the foundation meets the ground
Mouse or rat?
The signs overlap, but mice and rats don't behave the same way, so knowing which you have shapes what we recommend. The City of Windsor notes that rats live outdoors and move inside as cooler weather arrives, often burrowing near buildings, gardens and garbage.
| Mice | Rats | |
|---|---|---|
| Length, including tail | About 16 cm | About 42 cm (Norway rat) |
| Droppings | About the size of a grain of rice | About the size of a bean |
| Smallest gap | About 0.6 cm | About 1 cm |
How we deal with mice and rats
We use an Integrated Pest Management approach: what we do depends on what we find, and not every method suits every job.
Inspection and assessment
Our licensed, certified exterminators look at the droppings, gnaw marks and nesting you've found, and look for where they're getting in.
Sealing entry points
Where it's appropriate, we seal the gaps they're using to get in.
Trapping and baiting
Traps, bait or both, chosen for the situation with people, pets and property in mind.
Follow-up visits
Follow-up visits are included as part of the service.
What happens next
Tell us what you're seeing
Call, use the estimate form or message us on WhatsApp. Say where you've found droppings, gnaw marks or noises, and when. Photos help.
We look at what you've shared
A description, photos or a short video can be enough for us to quote from.
An on-site inspection, if needed
If your details or photos aren't enough, we'll tell you whether an on-site inspection is needed.
Your quote
Estimates are free. We aim to send yours within 60 minutes, by email or WhatsApp.
Before we arrive
- Don't sweep or vacuum droppings: it puts dust from them into the air. Deer mice are the most common carrier of hantavirus in Canada; infection is rare and the risk is low. If you clean up, wet the droppings with disinfectant or a bleach solution first.
- Store food, including pet food, in sealed metal or glass containers.
- Keep garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Note where and when you've noticed activity, and take photos if you can.
- If your service needs any preparation, we'll tell you what to do beforehand.
Safe clean-up steps from the Public Health Agency of Canada (opens in a new tab)
Homes and businesses
At home
Whether it's a house or a unit in a residential building, tell us which rooms and what you've noticed.
For businesses
We offer ongoing commercial pest-control accounts, in places like restaurants, residential buildings and public places.
Ask about an ongoing accountWhere we work
We're based in Windsor and work across these communities. Outside them, contact us and we'll confirm availability.
Mice and rats: common questions
Should I clean up droppings before you come?
If you clean up, don't sweep or vacuum: that can put dust from droppings into the air. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends wearing rubber or plastic gloves, spraying the droppings with disinfectant or 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, letting it soak for 10 minutes, then wiping up with paper towels.
Do I need to be home for an inspection?
Not always. Many jobs can be quoted from what you tell us, or from photos or a short video sent on WhatsApp. If your details or photos aren't enough, we'll tell you whether an on-site inspection is needed.
How much does mouse or rat control cost?
We quote each job individually, and estimates are free. Tell us what you're seeing, or send photos, and we aim to send your quote within 60 minutes by email or WhatsApp. That's a target for the quote, not for a visit.
Does the City of Windsor deal with rats?
Yes. The City currently offers a residential rat-baiting program for eligible properties with four units or fewer, beginning with a 311 inspection. The program is specifically for rats and has its own eligibility, inspection and fee requirements. Check the City of Windsor's current program information for details (opens in a new tab).
Not mice or rats?
Droppings near food can also come from cockroaches, and ants follow trails to food. If what you've found doesn't fit mice or rats, start here.