Mouse and rat control in Ontario

Mice and rats rarely announce themselves. You hear scratching in the ceiling at night, find droppings in a drawer, or notice a chewed bag of flour. Once you do, the goal is to find out how they are getting in and fix that, not just to catch the ones you can see.

How does Pest Emergency handle rodent control?

We follow the same four steps on every job.

1. Inspect. We check inside and outside for signs of activity and for gaps.
2. Identify. We work out whether you have mice, rats or both. The answer changes the plan.
3. Treat. We remove the rodents using the right method for your home.
4. Follow up. We check that activity has stopped and that the repairs are holding.

This is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It means we deal with the cause, such as food, shelter and entry points, and not only the animals. Read more in our IPM guide.

How do mice and rats get into a house?

Smaller than you think. Health Canada says mice can fit through a crack about the width of a dime, and rats through a hole about the size of a quarter. Most homes have gaps that size somewhere.

Common entry points

• Gaps around pipes, wires and utility lines
• Cracks in the foundation
• Gaps under doors and around garage doors
• Uncovered vents and soffits
• Damaged weatherstripping and window frames

Signs of rodents

• Droppings along walls, in cupboards or behind appliances
• Gnaw marks on food packaging, wood or wiring
• Scratching or scurrying in walls and ceilings, often at night
• Shredded paper, fabric or insulation used for nests
• Greasy rub marks along baseboards

Not sure which animal you have? Our guide to mice vs rats shows how to tell them apart. You can also read about mice and rats on their own pages.

How do you get rid of mice?

Traps alone rarely solve it. They remove the animals you catch, but the gaps stay open and new mice move in.

Health Canada notes that snap and electronic traps work well when they are placed and set correctly, and that poison bait should never be the only method. Where bait is used, tamper-resistant stations keep it away from children and pets.

Our treatment usually combines:

• Trapping along the routes rodents travel
• Monitoring to see whether activity is falling
• Tamper-resistant bait stations, only where they are appropriate
• Advice on food and shelter, such as sealed food containers and tidier storage

Is sealing entry points part of the job?

It should be. Health Canada’s guidance puts blocking entry points first, with food and shelter removal alongside it. Fine metal mesh over vents and soffits, metal weatherstripping on doors and patched foundation cracks all help.

During your inspection we point out what needs closing. Some repairs are simple. Others, like rotted trim or damaged siding, may need a contractor. Sealing is what turns a one-time cleanup into a lasting result.

Are rodents dangerous?

Droppings, urine and nesting material can contaminate food and surfaces, and rodents chew wiring and insulation. Do not sweep or vacuum droppings dry. Ask us what to do, or check the public health advice for your area.

Why does autumn matter?

Rodent activity in Ontario climbs from October to March. As nights cool, mice and rats look for warm, sheltered places with food. Your house is one of them. Sealing gaps in September or October is easier than dealing with a full infestation in January.

What about rentals and multi-unit buildings?

If you rent, tell your landlord or property manager first. The City of Toronto advises tenants to start there, and to contact 311 if the problem is not resolved. Landlords can call us to inspect common areas and neighbouring units. Rodents move between units through shared walls and pipes, so one unit rarely tells the whole story.

In Toronto, property owners and businesses are responsible for rat problems on their own property. For rodents on private property, the City advises hiring a pest control company. See our Toronto and Oshawa pages for local service details.

Do you treat restaurants and other businesses?

Yes. Food premises, warehouses and offices all attract rodents. Our commercial pest control page explains how we plan ongoing service for businesses.

Get a rodent control quote

Tell us what you have seen and where. We send quote details within 30 minutes. Then we arrange an inspection with you.

Request a free quote and we will take it from there.