Rat and mouse control in Modesto
Scratching in the attic after dark, droppings by the pet food, hollowed oranges on the tree. Any of these is a good reason to have someone look.
Calls are answered early morning to late evening
How to recognize the problem
Roof rats are sleek and agile, with a tail longer than the head and body. They climb, and they nest in dense shrubs, trees, attics and wall spaces. Norway rats are stockier with a shorter tail. They burrow along foundations and under woodpiles and usually stay on the ground floor.
House mice are about 5 to 7 inches including the tail, light brown to gray. They can get under a gap about 1/4 inch tall, and they tend to stay within about 30 feet of their nest and food.
Look for droppings near food, gnaw marks, smudges along beams and pipes, and shredded nesting material behind boxes. Rats running along a fence line or utility wire at dusk are hard to miss.
Why rodents do well around Modesto
This is fruit and nut country, in town as much as out of it. UC IPM says roof rats eat nuts and citrus while they are still on the tree, leaving hollow orange rinds behind, and that they will travel 300 feet or more to feed. So your neighbor's tree can feed the rat in your attic.
Ivy, dense shrubs and branches near the roof give them a road to the house. UC IPM suggests clearing plants off the walls, leaving space between shrubs and buildings, and pruning limbs back from the roof.
What a rodent visit usually involves
Every independent company works differently. This is the general shape, so you know what to ask about.
An inspection, roof to foundation
The company looks at the attic, garage, crawl space and outside walls for droppings, rub marks and ways in.
Closing the way in
UC IPM calls exclusion the most successful and permanent control for mice. Openings over 1/4 inch get closed with metal or concrete, because rats chew through plastic, foam, wood and caulk. Ask whether sealing is included or priced separately.
Trapping
Traps along walls and overhead runs are the usual method. Ask where they go, how they are kept away from children and pets, and who checks them.
Coming back
Ask how many visits are planned and who removes what is caught.
When to call
- You hear movement in the attic or walls.
- You find fresh droppings or gnawed food.
- You have closed the gaps you can find and still see signs.
- You cannot reach the attic or roof line safely.
Common questions
Do ultrasonic repellers work?
UC IPM says ultrasonic, magnetic and vibrating devices do not work on house mice.
Can I catch mice and let them go somewhere else?
UC IPM notes that moving live house mice off the property where they were caught is illegal in California without a special permit.
Sources: UC IPM: Rats; UC IPM: House mouse. Checked 4 November 2026.
Seeing it now? Make the call.
You will be connected with an independent pest control company that works in your area. Say what you have seen and where, then ask about the visit. Nothing is decided until you agree to it with the company.
Calls are answered early morning to late evening
Calls may be recorded. See the referral disclosure and privacy policy.