Rats are bigger, stronger and more careful than mice. They chew through wood, wires and pipes, and they can spread germs in your home. We find where they live and how they get in, then remove them and close the gaps.
The rat most people find in this area is the Norway rat. It prefers to live at ground level and digs burrows close to where it finds food.
Common spots around homes:
Older homes with foundation cracks and gaps around pipes give rats an easy way in. A rat can fit through a hole about the size of a quarter, so small openings still matter. The typical local home was built around 1974, so it is worth checking those openings before the first frost usually arrives in mid-to-late October.
1. Inspection. We check the yard, the foundation, the garage and the inside of the home. We look for burrows, droppings, rub marks and every gap a rat could use.
2. Removal. We place traps and other tools along the paths rats use, indoors and outdoors. We choose the method based on your property and on any pets or children.
3. Sealing entry points. We close the openings rats use to get inside. Rats can chew through weak materials, so we use ones that hold up.
4. Cleaning up the reasons they came. We show you what is attracting rats, such as loose food, open garbage or hiding places, and what to change.
5. Follow up. We check the traps, watch for new activity and make sure the problem is gone.
Rats are careful around new objects, so trapping can take several days before results show. This is normal and part of why follow up visits matter.
Only using store bought traps. Rats often avoid new objects. Traps placed in the wrong spot may never be touched.
Using poison without a plan. A rat that eats poison can die inside a wall or attic, which causes a strong smell. Poison can also harm pets and children.
Sealing holes before the rats are gone. This can trap rats inside your home and push them to chew new openings.
Ignoring the yard. If burrows, food and hiding spots remain outside, more rats will find their way in.
Rats cause damage fast. They chew wires, which can be a fire risk. They damage insulation, pipes and wood. They leave droppings and urine that can spread germs and set off allergies. They also breed quickly, so a few rats can become many.
We provide rat control in Downers Grove, including ZIP codes 60515 and 60516, and in nearby towns such as Lisle, Woodridge, Westmont and Darien.
Rats are larger, and so are their droppings and gnaw marks. Droppings from rats are roughly the size of a large raisin, while mouse droppings look like grains of rice. Burrows along the foundation and greasy rub marks on walls also point to rats.
They use gaps around pipes, vents and garage doors, cracks in the foundation, and any opening about the size of a quarter. They can also chew through weak materials to make the gap bigger.
Most problems need a few weeks. Rats are careful, so trapping can take several days to work, and follow up visits help confirm they are gone. We explain the schedule before we start.
Your technician places traps and any products in safe spots and explains where they are. Tell us about pets and children at the start so we can choose the safest approach.
We do not recommend it. Rats can die in walls or the attic after eating poison, and it can put pets and children at risk. Trapping and sealing entry points is more reliable.
They can if entry points stay open or food and shelter stay available. We seal gaps and give you tips to lower the risk. Call us if you see new signs.
The price depends on how many rats you have, where they live, how many entry points need sealing and how many visits are needed. We give a free estimate and explain the price before we start.
Call (630) 555-0184 or request your free estimate. We will find where they live and stop them.