Rodent Control in Sacramento: Roof Rats, Norway Rats and Mice

Are roof rats dangerous?

Yes, to your health and your house. UC IPM's Pest Notes say rats contaminate food and can spread diseases including typhus, leptospirosis, salmonella and rat bite fever. Roof rats living in attics gnaw electrical wires, which can cause sparks and fires, and rats have even chewed natural gas lines.

UC IPM notes that rats and mice don't carry rabies. Still, never touch rodents or droppings with bare hands; wear disposable gloves and seal dead rodents in a plastic bag for the trash.

How can you tell roof rats, Norway rats and mice apart?

Check the tail and where the animal lives. A roof rat's tail is longer than its head and body combined, and it nests up high in attics, trees and ivy. A Norway rat is stockier, has a shorter tail and burrows along foundations, under woodpiles and beneath trash. Mice are much smaller and leave scratchy gnaw marks about 1/12 inch wide, compared with about 1/6 inch for rats.

Knowing the species changes the plan: Norway rat traps go along walls and in dark corners, while roof rats need traps up high on ledges, fences, pipes and beams too.

What are the signs of rats or mice?

UC IPM lists these signs. Control is easier when numbers are low, so check now and then.

• Droppings near pet food, in the pantry, in drawers or in recycling bins
• Noises in the attic or drop ceilings, especially at night
• Fruit or nuts gnawed on the tree, or citrus rinds hollowed out
• Nests in firewood stacks, behind boxes or in cluttered garages
• Greasy smudge marks along beams, pipes and walls
• Rats running along utility lines or fence tops around dusk

When should you call an exterminator for mice or rats?

Call when the problem is inside the structure or isn't shrinking. A single mouse in the garage may be a DIY job. Noises in the attic or walls, droppings in several rooms, chewed wiring, or rats that keep returning after a week or two of trapping mean you need someone who can find every entry point.

Renters should report rodents to the landlord in writing first. California Civil Code §1941.1 requires landlords to keep rentals free of rodents and vermin.

What does professional rodent control include?

A good job has three parts, which UC IPM calls sanitation, exclusion and population control. Expect an inspection of the attic, crawlspace, roofline and foundation; sealing of gaps with steel wool, sheet metal or 1/2-inch galvanized hardware cloth (never chicken wire); traps placed where rodents travel; and follow-up visits to check traps and confirm activity has stopped.

In California, rat and mouse work for hire requires a Structural Pest Control Board license. State law exempts some crews that only exclude wildlife such as raccoons or squirrels without pesticides, but that exemption specifically leaves out rats and mice. Check the company on the DCA License Search.

• Ask whether exclusion (sealing) is included or priced separately
• Ask how many follow-up visits are included
• Ask whether they remove dead rodents and nesting material
• Get the treatment plan and pesticide names in writing

Why does sealing work better than poison?

UC IPM calls exclusion, or building rodents out, the most successful and longest-lasting rat control around structures. Poison alone leaves the doors open for the next rats, and poisoned rodents can die inside walls.

California also restricts rodenticides. UC IPM says most uses of first- and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides are now prohibited in the state, leaving bromethalin, cholecalciferol and zinc phosphide as the registered options. All rodenticides are toxic to pets, children and wildlife, and UC IPM notes that roof rats may not even enter bait stations. If baits are used, they belong in tamper-resistant stations, and entry points should be sealed first so poisoned rats don't come inside to die.

Is it worth getting an exterminator for mice?

Often, yes, if mice are inside the living space. Mice fit through openings as small as 1/4 inch, so the hard part is finding every gap, not setting traps. Fixr's 2025 national guide puts typical mouse extermination at $450 to $600, including a consultation, traps, sealant and follow-up; This Old House's 2026 guide lists $180 to $600. These are national figures, not Sacramento quotes.

Call (916) 712-7030 to reach an independent local exterminator who can inspect and give you a written price.

Frequently asked questions

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