Rodent Control in North Carolina

Rodent Control & Extermination

Rodent Control & Extermination

Rats and mice can find their way into your home through extremely small holes. Once there, they may cause damage in their search for food or water, or when they build their nests. They have also been known to chew through wires and cause home alarm systems to go off! Mice and rats may also carry diseases that can affect humans (Hantavirus) or bring in disease-carrying fleas, ticks or lice. In some cases, you may not see the mice or rats, but may find droppings that indicate a problem. While you may be able to capture and remove the rodents, if you do not identify and seal every possible entry into your home, they are sure to return. If you have a problem with mice or rats, it’s time to call your local pest control heroes at Clegg’s! We have over 50 years of experience helping home and business owners with rats and mice and we can help you too. Call us or schedule your FREE initial inspection through the form below!

How do I know if I have mice in my house?

The most obvious way to know you have a mouse problem is of course to see a mouse in your house, but there are definitely other ways to tell if a mouse has set up residence in your home. These signs of mice or rats include, but are not limited to, the following:

Odd pet behavior: If your pet continually sniffs, watches, or scratches at a specific area of the house such as a crack between the stove and refrigerator, a specific wall, a space between moldings, etc, this could indicate rodent activity.

Bite Marks: If you notice small bite marks or scratch marks on food containers, wrappings, food items themselves, etc. you probably have a rodent problem. For example; if you had brownies covered in tin foil on your stove and in the morning there were little marks and slightly shredded tin foil around the brownies, you made a mouse very happy and it’s currently hiding somewhere enjoying its sugar high. Go ahead and toss those brownies out and call our team at Clegg’s!

“Grease trails”: These trails usually mean an infestation, and are usually a dirty looking mark along popular paths that the mice take when exploring/scavenging. These trails are left from the greasy residue from their bodies as well as from urine. These can appear anywhere, but typically will be under counter ledges, narrow places, against walls, etc. Mice tend to be more timid and travel against walls and areas where they feel less exposed.

Droppings or small hairs: Mice droppings look like small black pellets and can often be found around their food or water source. They can also be found in open food if the rodent has found a way in, such as an open cereal box, etc. It’s important to ensure any mice droppings are properly cleaned up and handled, as they can carry diseases harmful to humans. It’s also important to ensure there are no readily available food/water sources for rodents to get into, including pet food, as these attract rodents and make it very hard to break the feeding/breeding cycle. If you spot mouse droppings, call in the pros at Clegg’s.

Nests/nesting materials: A typical house mouse nest will look like a small 4-6 inch ball of shredded material. Materials can be insulation, paper, pillow batting, string, fabric, etc. If you see any of these things shredded in your house, go ahead and give us a call.

Scratching or scuttling noises: Often if you have a larger infestation, you will hear it before you see it. Rats are notorious for hanging out in attics, and can be heard most at night when they come out to scavenge for food. Mice on the other hand can often fit into small holes or spaces where baseboards don’t meet, moldings don’t come down entirely flush with the floor, or any small hole the size of a pencil eraser, leading them to establish residency inside of walls

If you have noticed any of these signs of rodent activity in your home, contact your local Clegg’s pest control heroes and let us get to work getting those critters out of your home!

Common Rats and Mice in North Carolina

Deer Mice

The deer mouse rarely invades homes, and is found in rural areas.

Color: Brown, with white feet and underbelly

Size: 5 to 8 inches long

Habits: The deer mouse prefers the outdoors.

Habitat: The deer mouse makes its home outdoors in sheltered areas such as hollow tree logs or piles of debris. On the rare occasions the deer mouse comes indoors, it prefers undisturbed areas such as attics.

Threats: The deer mouse transmits the potentially fatal Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The disease can be transmitted through contact with mouse carcasses, or by breathing in aerosolized urine droplets of infected deer mice.

Prevention: To keep mice and other rodents out, make sure all holes of larger diameter than a pencil are sealed. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a nickel. Seal any cracks and voids. Don’t overlook proper drainage at the foundation and always install gutters or diverts which will channel water away from the building. Use heavy gloves and protective breathing gear when working in an area populated by deer mice.

House Mice

The house mouse is the most common rodent pest in most parts of the world. It can breed rapidly and adapt quickly to changing conditions.

Color: Light brown to black

Size: 2″

Habits: House mice can breed throughout the year and can share nests.

Habitat: House mice live in structures, but they can live outdoors.

Threats: Micro droplets of mouse urine can cause allergies in children. Mice can also bring fleas, mites, ticks and lice into your home.

Prevention: To keep mice and other rodents out, make sure all holes of larger diameter than a pencil are sealed. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a nickel. Seal any cracks and voids. Don’t overlook proper drainage at the foundation and always install gutters or diverts which will channel water away from the building.

Norway Rat

These rats have smaller eyes and ears and shorter tails.

Color: Gray, brown or black

Size: 10 to 12 inches (8″ body plus 4″ tail)

Habits: Rats are excellent climbers and often enter a home in the fall when outside food sources become scarce.

Habitat: Norway rats live in fields, farm lands and in structures. Rats are often found in woodpiles. Rodents can gain entry to a home through a hole the size of a quarter.

Threats: Rats can chew through wiring, causing fires. They also spread numerous diseases.

Prevention: Keep firewood stored well away from the structure. Remove debris piles. Seal any holes larger than 1/4 inch. Remove moisture and harborage sources.

Roof Rats

Roof rats get their name from their tendency to be found in the upper parts of buildings. Ranging in size from 6 to 8 inches in length, not including their tails, they have very poor vision and are color blind. They do have extremely strong senses of hearing, smell, touch and taste.

Color: Black

Size: 16″ total (6-8″ body plus 6-8″ tail)

Habits: Roof rats are known for the damage they cause by chewing on materials and eating stored foods.

Habitat: Roof rats can be found in the upper parts of buildings, and can also be found under, in and around structures. They only need a space of one-half inch to get into buildings.

Threats: Roof rats secured their place in history by spreading the highly dangerous bubonic plague. They support many ectoparasites and urinate on food.

Prevention: To prevent rats from entering a home, seal up any holes or cracks larger than a quarter. Remove sources of moisture and harborage.

“How Did The Mice Get In?”

There are a variety of entry possibilities:

  1. Construction near or around your home usually brings rodents.
  2. Unsealed holes in and around your home (underneath sinks, dryer vents, cracks in foundation, etc.) allow rodents to access your home. Steel wool is a wonderful tool to seal these openings.

There are several options available to eliminate mice and rats. A service technician will recommend the best option after determining your specific situation.

Rodent Control Throughout North Carolina

Did you know our pest control heroes service throughout all of North Carolina? Here are some of the main markets we are proud to serve:

If you think you have a problem with mice or rats, it’s time to call your local pest control heroes! Call us or request your FREE initial inspection online to eliminate the rats and mice before they reproduce or cause additional damage.

Savings Opportunities

$39 OFF

Initial General Pest Control Service

Residential and new customers only. Must sign up for pest control maintenance plan. Must be 18 or older to redeem. Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Call your local branch for more details.

15% OFF

Clegg's Military Discount

Are you a current or former member of our nation’s military? We would like to show our thanks and appreciation for your service in the form of a special discount on Clegg’s Pest Control services. Some restrictions may apply. Limit one per household.

Ready for a Free Inspection?

Clegg's Locations

Asheville
276-B Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
Charlotte
1520 Industrial Center Cir.
Charlotte, NC 28213
Clinton
205 Wall St.
Clinton, NC 28328
Durham
2401 Reichard St.
Durham, NC 27705
Fayetteville
500 S. Eastern Blvd.
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Greenville
864 Rivit St.
Greenville, NC 27834
Kernersville
740 Indeneer Dr.
Kernersville, NC 27284
Morehead City
2700 Bridges St.
Morehead City, NC 28557
New Bern
218 Kale Rd.
New Bern, NC 28562
Raleigh
3751 Bastion Ln.
Raleigh, NC 27604
Smithfield
1520 S. Brightleaf Blvd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
Southport
4075 Old Bridge Rd. SE
Southport, NC 28461
Wilmington
3417 Enterprise Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28405

Current Promotions

$39 OFF

Initial General Pest Control Service

Residential and new customers only. Must sign up for pest control maintenance plan. Must be 18 or older to redeem. Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Call your local branch for more details.

$100 OFF

New Initial Termite Services

Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Applies to new initial termite services only. Does not include termite reports for closings or termite pretreatment services. No cash value. Must be 18 or older to redeem

15% OFF

Initial Bed Bug Control Services

Residential and New Customers Only. Call your local branch for details! Excludes Bedding Encasements. Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household.

15% OFF

Clegg's Military Discount

Are you a current or former member of our nation’s military? We would like to show our thanks and appreciation for your service in the form of a special discount on Clegg’s Pest Control services. Some restrictions may apply. Limit one per household.

$100 OFF

Initial Moisture Control Services

Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Applies to initial moisture services only. No Cash Value. Must be 18 or older to redeem.

All Locations

Click on a location below to learn more about services, solutions, and pests in your area.

276-B Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
1520 Industrial Center Cir.
Charlotte, NC 28213
205 Wall St.
Clinton, NC 28328
2401 Reichard St.
Durham, NC 27705
500 S. Eastern Blvd.
Fayetteville, NC 28301
864 Rivit St.
Greenville, NC 27834
740 Indeneer Dr.
Kernersville, NC 27284
2700 Bridges St.
Morehead City, NC 28557
218 Kale Rd.
New Bern, NC 28562
3751 Bastion Ln.
Raleigh, NC 27604
1520 S. Brightleaf Blvd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
4075 Old Bridge Rd. SE
Southport, NC 28461
3417 Enterprise Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28405

Get Your Free Estimate Today!

We would love to talk with you about your pest problems. Whatever your needs we’re ready to help. Fill out the simple form below and we will be in touch soon.