Rodent Management
Rodent Control in Berkeley, CA
101 Exterminators does rodent control in Berkeley with exclusion first — we find and seal the openings before a single trap goes down. Roof rats (Rattus rattus) are the endemic problem here, moving through the mature oak, fruit, and ornamental canopy that shades most of the older blocks. Pre-1939 houses with raised foundations give them a dozen ways in. SPCB Lic. #9119, licensed since 2005.
Warning Signs
Signs You Need Rodents Service in Berkeley
Our program combines three components: (1) Exclusion — sealing gaps in foundations, pipe penetrations, vents, and roof eaves using hardware cloth, copper mesh, foam sealant, and sheet metal as appropriate. (2) Trapping — placement and monitoring of snap traps, live traps, and glue boards in active areas. (3) Exterior bait stations — tamper-resistant bait stations positioned along perimeter rodent runways for ongoing population management.
Droppings along walls, in cabinets, behind appliances, or in attic insulation
Gnaw marks on wiring, wood, plastic pipes, or food packaging
Grease marks along walls or baseboards — oil from rodent fur rubbed repeatedly on surfaces
Nesting materials (shredded paper, insulation, fabric) in hidden locations
Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls, ceilings, or under floors at night
Burrows in landscaping, mulch beds, or under concrete slabs
Citrus or avocado fruits with bite marks — a classic roof rat indicator
Pet acting alert at walls or cabinets when no visible cause exists
How It Works
Our Rodents Process in Berkeley
Every job follows the same methodical approach — no shortcuts, no guesswork. Here is what to expect when you work with us in Berkeley.
Inspection & Runway Mapping
We identify gnaw marks, runways, burrows, droppings, and grease trails to map rodent activity throughout the property — interior and exterior.
Exclusion
We seal all discovered entry points with durable materials appropriate to the opening — hardware cloth, copper mesh, sheet metal flashing, or foam sealant for smaller gaps.
Trapping & Bait Placement
Interior snap traps and exterior tamper-resistant bait stations are positioned along active runways. We monitor and service these on a schedule until activity ceases.
Follow-Up & Monitoring
We return to clear traps, replenish bait, check exclusion work, and confirm that the population has been eliminated before closing out the service.
Why 101 Exterminators
Rodents You Can Count On in Berkeley
Exclusion-First Methodology
Without sealing entry points, any rodent removed will simply be replaced by another. We seal the structure before or concurrent with trapping — not as an afterthought.
No Unmonitored Poison Bait Indoors
We do not place loose rodenticide indoors where rodents can carry it to walls and die inaccessibly. Interior work uses traps with daily monitoring during active treatment.
Regional Species Knowledge
Norway rats, roof rats, and deer mice behave differently and require different approaches. We identify the species present before selecting treatment methods.
Sanitation Recommendations
After resolving an infestation, we advise on harborage removal, vegetation management, and food storage to prevent reinfestation — not just a repeat service call.
Common Questions
Rodent Control FAQs for Berkeley
How do roof rats get into a Berkeley Craftsman attic?
Almost always from above, through a gap the roofline already had. On Berkeley Craftsman and brown shingle houses the usual entries are the open eave gap behind the rafter tails, a corroded attic or gable vent screen, the chimney chase, and the seam where a porch or dormer roof meets the main wall. They reach those points by way of an overhanging branch or an ivy-covered wall, which is why cutting the bridge matters as much as sealing the hole.
Should I cut back the tree touching my roof in the Berkeley hills?
Yes — trimming branches back roughly three feet from the roof and walls removes the bridge roof rats use, and it is the single most effective thing a hillside homeowner can do on their own. Do the same with ivy and climbing vines on walls and fences. It will not evict rats already nesting in the attic, but it stops the resupply, which is what makes the sealing and trapping work hold.
I hear scratching in the ceiling at night in North Berkeley — is that rats or squirrels?
Timing is the fastest tell: rats and mice are active after dark and through the night, while tree squirrels are noisy at dawn and again in late afternoon and go quiet at night. Rats also leave smear marks along runways and droppings roughly the size of a rice grain. We confirm it in the attic and at the entry points, because squirrel work needs one-way exclusion and different hardware than a rat job does.
Local Pest Pressure
Common Pests We Treat in Berkeley
Every area has its own pest profile shaped by climate, housing, and geography. These are the pests we see and treat most often in Berkeley — tap any one to learn how to identify it and what treatment involves.
Rodent Control · Berkeley
Free Pest Evaluation in Berkeley
CA licensed and insured. Written estimate before any work begins. Urgent situations in Berkeley are prioritized.