Rodent Control in Missoula, MT

Rodent control in Missoula is mostly about mice, and mostly about fall. When the nights turn cold, mice go looking for warmth and food, and a house, garage or shop gives them both. A mouse can squeeze through a gap about the size of a dime, so a home doesn't need an obvious hole to have a problem.

Getting rid of the mice you've seen is only half the job. If the way in stays open, more follow. That's why AAA's rodent work starts with finding where they're living and how they're getting inside, then deals with both.

Our goal is the one on our homepage: eliminate mice and rats quickly and prevent future infestations, with methods that are safe, discreet and effective around your home and family. Rats are less common here than mice, but when they show up the same approach applies. Businesses get the same service, see commercial pest control.

Western Montana has two mice that matter for homes: the house mouse and the deer mouse. Both breed quickly, and both look for shelter when the weather turns. Homes near fields, foothills or open ground often see them first, but in-town houses get them too.

Deer mice deserve extra care. They can carry hantavirus, which spreads through dust from their droppings, urine and nests. The CDC's advice is simple: don't sweep or vacuum mouse droppings. Air the space out, wet the droppings with a disinfectant or bleach solution first, wear gloves, and wipe them up. If you've found a lot of droppings in a closed space like a cabin, shed or crawl space, mention it when you call.

Garages, shops, crawl spaces and attics are where mice usually settle. Stored bird seed, pet food and garden seed are favorite targets. Moving those into sealed containers makes any treatment work better.

Before Brian comes out, leave droppings and nests where they are if you can. They show him where the mice are active. Keep pets and kids away from any areas you've already found.

After the visit, follow what Brian tells you about any treated areas, and keep an eye out for new droppings. Clean up old ones the safe way (wet first, never swept). Sealing the gaps he points out is the biggest single thing you can do to stay mouse-free.