Common signs

• Droppings near food, drawers, or walls
• Gnaw marks on packaging or wood
• Scratching in walls or ceilings at night
• Droppings along walls, in cabinets, or near food
• Gnaw marks, shredded nesting material, or a musky odor
• Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls or ceilings at night

Common causes

• Small exterior gaps near the foundation and garage
• Food and clutter in storage areas
• Cold weather pushing rodents indoors
• Gaps around pipes, vents, and the foundation that allow entry
• Accessible food, pet food, or garbage
• Clutter and exterior harborage close to the home

About mice and rats in central New Jersey

Mice and rats behave differently and enter homes in different ways. Mice can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime and often nest indoors year-round, while rats tend to travel established routes and exploit larger openings. Both are drawn by food, water, and shelter, and pressure rises in fall as cooler weather pushes them indoors. Because they reproduce quickly and can gnaw wiring and contaminate surfaces, activity is worth addressing early — with sealing of entry points assessed and quoted separately.

Our inspection approach

We inspect for entry points, runways, and nesting signs inside and around the home, and prioritize exclusion.

Mice and rats behave differently and enter through different points. We inspect for droppings, runways, entry points, and the food and harborage supporting activity, then build a trapping and monitoring plan around what we find.

Treatment overview

Our approach combines exclusion (sealing entry points) with monitoring and control appropriate to the situation found.

Specific products, application rates, intervals, and re-entry guidance are confirmed at your inspection and follow product label directions. [PENDING_COMPLIANCE_APPROVAL — treatment specifics]

What to expect

You receive a clear plan covering entry points, monitoring, and follow-up.

Preparation

• Clear access to basements, garages, and under sinks
• Note where you have heard or seen activity

Follow-up

We monitor and follow up until activity is resolved, addressing qualifying issues between visits.

Prevention

• Seal gaps larger than a pencil width
• Store food and pet food in hard containers
• Keep storage areas tidy and dry

FAQ

How do mice get in?
Through small foundation and utility gaps — often near the garage; sealing them is key.

Do you seal the entry points too? Inspection, trapping, and monitoring are part of rodent service. Exclusion work and any structural repairs are assessed during the inspection and quoted separately, since they depend on the home.

How long does it take to resolve a rodent problem? It depends on the size of the population and how they are getting in. We monitor and adjust over follow-up visits rather than treating once and walking away.

One-time or ongoing service? Both are options. A targeted program addresses an active problem, while HomeGuard provides recurring protection that includes monitoring for rodent activity. We recommend what fits after the inspection.

What can I do before my visit? Storing food and pet food in sealed containers, clearing clutter, and noting where you have seen or heard activity all help us work more effectively.

Are mice or rats more common in NJ homes? House mice are the more common indoor rodent, but rats do occur, especially near water, sewers, and dense landscaping. An inspection confirms which you have.

When is rodent pressure highest? Typically fall and winter, when cooler weather drives mice and rats indoors seeking warmth, food, and shelter.

Recommended plan

Keera Pest Control presents HomeGuard for ongoing protection.

Service area

Serving Avenel, Iselin, Woodbridge, Fords, Colonia, Edison, and Metuchen. See all service areas.