Rodent Control in Conroe

Rats and mice don't need a big invitation. A gap the size of a dime is plenty for a mouse, and rats can squeeze through a hole about the width of a quarter. Once they're in your walls or attic, they breed fast and chew on things they shouldn't. That's where rodent control in Conroe comes in, and it's some of the most common work I do around here.

I'm Bert. I run Berts Bugs Pest Control, and I handle every rodent job myself. Here's how it goes and what you can expect.

How to tell if you've got rats or mice

Most folks hear something before they see anything. Scratching in the attic at night. A scurry inside the wall. By the time you notice, they've usually been around a little while.

Signs I look for on the first visit:

• Droppings along baseboards, in the pantry, under the sink, or in the attic insulation. Mouse droppings are small like rice grains. Rat droppings are bigger.
• Gnaw marks on wood trim, food packaging, or wiring.
• Grease smudges where they run the same path against a wall.
• A musky smell in enclosed spaces like the garage or attic.
• Nesting material: shredded paper, fabric, or insulation bunched together.

In Conroe I see roof rats a lot. They like attics and trees, and they'll travel along fence lines and branches that touch the roof. House mice tend to stay closer to the kitchen and garage.

Sealing the entry points

Trapping without sealing is a losing game. You can catch what's inside, but if the door's still open, new ones walk right back in. So I start with a thorough inspection of the outside and the areas rodents use to get in.

Common trouble spots on Conroe homes:

• Gaps around plumbing and A/C line penetrations
• Weep holes and foundation cracks
• Garage door corners and worn weather stripping
• Roof line, soffit, and attic vent gaps
• Dryer and utility vents with damaged covers

I seal these with materials rodents can't chew through, like steel mesh, hardware cloth, and appropriate sealant. Foam alone doesn't cut it. A rat will chew right through it. The goal is to close the building up so whatever we remove inside stays gone.

Baiting vs trapping: what I use and why

People ask me this a lot, so here's the honest version.

Trapping

Inside your living space, I lean on traps. Snap traps and enclosed stations let me remove rodents without leaving poison where a pet or kid could reach it. I also know exactly what I caught and where, which tells me how the problem's moving.

Baiting

Bait has its place, usually in secured, tamper-resistant stations outside or in areas away from your family. I don't scatter poison around a home. I place it deliberately and keep track of it.

Every house is different. I decide based on where the activity is, whether you have pets, and how bad the pressure is from outside.

What the follow-up visits look like

One visit rarely finishes the job, and I'll tell you that up front. Rodent work is a process.

1. First visit: inspection, sealing, and initial traps or stations set.
2. Follow-ups: I come back to check what we've caught, reset or move traps, and confirm the seal work is holding.
3. Confirmation: once activity stops and stays stopped, we know the house is buttoned up.

I'll show you what I find on each visit and walk you through it. No mystery.

If you're hearing something in the attic or finding droppings in the pantry, don't wait for it to get worse. You can reach out to Berts Bugs to set up an inspection, and if you want to see how neighbors felt about the work, take a look at our reviews.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if it's rats or mice?

Size is the quickest tell. Mouse droppings look like small grains of rice, while rat droppings are noticeably bigger. Mice usually stay near the kitchen and garage. In Conroe I see roof rats often, and they favor attics and areas near trees. On the first visit I identify which one you have so the traps and sealing match the problem.

Do you use poison inside my house?

Not in your living space. Inside, I rely on traps and enclosed stations so there's no loose poison near pets or kids. When I use bait, it goes in secured, tamper-resistant stations placed away from your family, usually outside. I always know where it is.

How long does rodent control take?

It's not a one-and-done for most homes. The first visit covers inspection, sealing entry points, and setting traps. Then I come back for follow-ups to check the catch, reset traps, and confirm the seal work is holding. Once activity stops and stays stopped, we're finished.

Why do you seal entry points instead of just trapping?

Because trapping alone just empties the house temporarily. If the gaps around pipes, vents, and the roof line are still open, new rodents move right in. Sealing with steel mesh and proper materials keeps them out for good, which is why I do it first.

Can rodents really chew through the house?

Yes. Rats and mice chew constantly, including on wiring, wood trim, and food packaging. Chewed wiring is a fire risk, which is one reason it's worth handling activity early instead of waiting.