Rodents are common in North Texas neighborhoods like Wylie, especially near greenbelts, creeks, construction zones, and established subdivisions. Knowing whether you’re dealing with rats or mice helps ensure the problem is handled correctly—and early.
 
Behaviors Rats & Mice Share

• Mostly nocturnal: Rodents are active at night. Daytime sightings may indicate overcrowding or limited food sources.
• Constant gnawing: Their teeth never stop growing, so they chew on wood, insulation, wiring, pipes, and plastic—creating fire and water damage risks.
• Established runways: Rodents follow the same travel paths between food, water, and nesting sites, often leaving smudges or smooth areas along walls.
• Scent marking: Urine is used to mark territory and travel routes and will glow blue-white under UV (black) light.

 
Mouse Behavior
(Common in Wylie homes, garages, and pantries)

• Curious by nature: Mice readily investigate new objects, including traps and bait.
• Quick, quiet movement: They scurry along walls, baseboards, and cabinets.
• Nearby nesting: Mice build small nests close to food sources—inside walls, attics, garages, and stored boxes.

 
Rat Behavior
(Roof rats are most common in Wylie)

• Highly cautious: Rats are wary of new objects (neophobia). Traps often must sit in place before being activated.
• Social animals: Rats live in colonies and rely heavily on scent trails.
• Excellent climbers:
  • Roof rats access homes via trees, fences, power lines, and rooflines.
  • They often nest in attics, wall voids, and upper levels of homes.
• Strong swimmers: While less common, rats can enter through drainage and sewer systems—especially near creeks and stormwater areas.

 
Signs of a Rodent Problem

• Droppings:
  • Mice: Small, rice-sized
  • Rats: Larger, capsule-shaped
  • Fresh droppings are dark and shiny; older ones appear dull or gray.
• Gnaw marks: On food packaging, wood, wiring, or plastic.
• Rub marks: Dark, greasy smudges along baseboards and walls from oily fur.
• Runways: Smooth, worn paths along walls or behind stored items.
• Footprints: Tiny tracks in dust or soil; rats may leave a visible tail drag.

 
Why Rodent Activity Increases in Wylie

• New construction and development displace rodents
• Cooler weather drives rodents indoors
• Food sources like pet food, bird seed, and unsecured trash
• Easy access points around rooflines, garages, and foundations

 
Important Homeowner Tip
Bait stations alone do not eliminate rats or mice.
Effective rodent control requires:

• Sealing entry points
• Reducing food and water sources
• Strategic trapping and monitoring
• Ongoing prevention to manage seasonal rodent pressure

 
How Home Run Pest & Termite Control Helps
At Home Run Pest & Termite Control, we provide professional rodent control solutions designed specifically for North Texas homes.

• Thorough rodent inspections
• Targeted trapping and monitoring
• Entry-point identification and exclusion guidance
• Safe, effective solutions for families and pets
• Ongoing prevention—not just short-term fixes

We focus on honesty, education, and long-term results—because rodent problems don’t fix themselves.
 
Schedule Your Rodent Inspection
Call: 972-800-6354
Visit: https://homerunpest.com

Home Run Pest & Termite Control
We knock pests out of the park.