How do I know if I have rats or mice?

Rats leave larger droppings (up to 3/4 inch), gnaw bigger holes, and are often heard at night. Mice leave smaller droppings and tend to nest closer to food sources. Our inspection identifies the species and tailors the treatment accordingly.

How long does rodent control take to work?

Most infestations show significant reduction within 1–2 weeks of trap and bait station placement. Most homes need 2–4 weeks of trapping and follow-up visits, depending on activity.

How do you use bait stations around children and pets?

We use tamper-resistant stations placed to limit access by children and pets. All products are EPA-registered and applied by licensed technicians according to the label.

Will rodents come back after treatment?

Not if exclusion work is done properly. We seal the entry points rodents use so they cannot re-enter. We also offer ongoing monitoring plans to catch any new activity early.

Do you treat commercial properties?

Yes. We provide discreet, scheduled rodent monitoring for restaurants, warehouses, retail spaces, and multi-unit properties — timed to minimize disruption to your operations.

Pest control technician placing rodent monitoring station

Arizona's Rodent Control Experts

Rodent Control in the Phoenix Area

Mice, rats, and roof rats are more than a nuisance — they chew wiring, contaminate food, and spread disease. Elite Pest uses inspections, trapping, bait stations and follow-up visits to control mice, rats and roof rats, with products applied by licensed technicians according to the label.

Get a Free Quote Call (833) 944-PEST

Rodents We Treat

House Mice

The most common indoor rodent in Arizona. Mice squeeze through gaps as small as a dime and nest inside walls, attics, and cabinets.

Norway Rats

Larger burrowing rats that favor ground-level entry points, crawl spaces, and utility lines. Common in older structures and commercial properties.

Roof Rats

Agile climbers that enter through rooflines, vents, and tree branches. Prevalent across the Phoenix metro and especially destructive to attic insulation.

Signs You Have a Rodent Problem

Droppings along walls, in cabinets, or near food storage
Gnaw marks on wiring, wood, or food packaging
Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls or ceilings at night
Nesting material such as shredded paper or insulation
Grease rub marks along baseboards or entry points
Unusual pet behavior — sniffing or pawing at walls

Schedule a Free Inspection

Rodent bait monitoring station placed along a wall

Our Rodent Control Process

Inspection

We conduct a thorough interior and exterior inspection to identify rodent species, activity levels, travel paths, and nesting areas.

Trap and Bait Station Placement

Traps and tamper-resistant bait stations are placed along rodent travel paths and high-activity areas.

Follow-Up Visits

We return to check traps and bait stations and adjust the plan based on the activity we find.

Activity Monitoring

Scheduled return visits to check stations, assess activity, replenish bait as needed, and track whether rodent activity is dropping.

Why Choose Elite Pest for Rodent Control?

Licensed & Certified

Fully licensed Arizona pest control operators with residential and commercial rodent experience.

Follow-Up Focus

We check every trap and bait station on follow-up visits and adjust the plan as activity changes.

Careful Product Use

Tamper-resistant stations and EPA-registered products applied by licensed technicians according to the label.

Commercial & Residential

From single-family homes to restaurants, warehouses, and multi-unit properties — we handle it all.

Transparent Pricing

Clear upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Ongoing rodent control plans are available.

Service Areas

Elite Pest provides rodent control throughout the Phoenix metro area including Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, San Tan Valley, Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Goodyear, Avondale, Casa Grande, and Maricopa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Service Areas in Maricopa County

We serve all major cities across the Phoenix metro area.

Phoenix Mesa Chandler Scottsdale Tempe Gilbert Glendale Peoria

3 Rodents Invading Arizona Homes

Roof Rats, Norway Rats, and House Mice each enter your home differently, nest in different locations, and require different treatment strategies. Correct identification is step one.

Roof RatHIGH

Rattus rattus

Black Rat / Citrus Rat

ID:13–18 inches total (body + tail). Slender, dark brown to black. Large ears, pointed snout, tail longer than body.

Habitat:Attics, roof spaces, palm trees, block walls, citrus trees. Enters homes from above.

Damage:Chews electrical wiring (fire hazard), contaminates insulation with urine and droppings, gnaws through wood and plastic pipes.

In Arizona: One of the most common rodent problems in the Phoenix Metro. Citrus trees are a primary food source and harborage. Populations peak October through March.

Key fact: Roof rats can enter a home through a hole the size of a quarter. They follow the same travel routes every night — look for grease marks on walls and pipes.

Norway RatHIGH

Rattus norvegicus

Sewer Rat / Brown Rat

ID:16–20 inches total. Heavy-bodied, brown to gray. Small ears, blunt snout, tail shorter than body.

Habitat:Ground level — burrows under slabs, in crawl spaces, along foundations, near dumpsters and sewers.

Damage:Burrows undermine foundations and concrete slabs. Contaminates food storage. Carries leptospirosis and other pathogens.

In Arizona: Less common than Roof Rats in residential AZ but found near commercial areas, restaurants, and older neighborhoods with sewer access.

Key fact: Norway rats are neophobic — they avoid new objects in their environment for days. This is why snap traps placed without pre-baiting often fail.

House MouseMODERATE

Mus musculus

Common House Mouse

ID:5–8 inches total. Small, gray to brown. Large ears relative to body size, pointed snout, thin tail.

Habitat:Inside walls, behind appliances, in kitchen cabinets, inside stored boxes and bags.

Damage:Contaminates food with droppings and urine. Chews through food packaging, wiring, and insulation. Spreads Hantavirus through droppings.

In Arizona: House mice enter Arizona homes year-round seeking food and shelter. A single pair can produce 60+ offspring in one year.

Key fact: A mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime (3/8 inch). They consume only 3 grams of food per day but contaminate 10x that amount with droppings.

7 Ways Rodents Enter Your Arizona Home

Knowing how rodents travel helps our technicians place traps and bait stations where they will do the most good.

Roof and soffit gaps

Roof rats enter through gaps where the roof meets the fascia, damaged soffits, and open vents. A 1/4-inch gap is enough.

Utility penetrations

Pipes, conduit, and cables entering the home through walls or the foundation create gaps that rodents exploit. Our technicians check these areas for droppings and rub marks.

Garage doors

Worn or damaged garage door seals leave gaps at the bottom corners. Rodents enter garages and then access the home through interior walls.

Foundation cracks

Norway rats burrow under slabs and enter through foundation cracks. Our technicians look for burrows and activity along the perimeter.

Roof vents and attic fans

Unscreened or damaged roof vents are a primary Roof Rat entry point. Our technicians check vent areas for signs of activity.

Tree and vine contact

Branches, vines, and utility lines that touch the roofline give Roof Rats a bridge to your home. Trim trees 3 feet away from the roof.

Plumbing and drain lines

Norway rats swim through sewer lines and enter homes through floor drains and toilet connections. Install drain covers and check for broken pipes.

How Our Rodent Control Works

Most DIY rodent control stalls because traps are not placed in the right spots or checked often enough.

Trapping

Active removal

Removes active rodents. Technicians place and check traps on a set schedule.

Bait Stations

Ongoing control

Tamper-resistant bait stations applied by licensed technicians according to the label help reduce rodent activity around the property.

Trapping + Follow-Up

Recommended

Combines trapping, bait stations and scheduled follow-up visits so we can track activity and adjust the plan.

Call (833) 944-7378 — Free Rodent Inspection

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Rodents Don't Wait — Neither Should You

Call us today or request a free inspection online. We serve the entire Phoenix metro area.

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