How to Get Rid of Rodents Under Your House or Porch

Pests and rodents may find the space underneath your deck or porch to be the perfect spot for their new home. But don’t worry—there are ways to not only remove them but make this area less desirable for them to return. If you’re wondering how to get rid of rodents under your house, take a look at the tips we’ve gathered below.

1. Identify the Infestation

Look for signs of animal activity around the base of your porch—tracks, holes, waste, and other obvious signs of critter incursion.

Even if you don’t see any obvious signs, you should still conduct a mini reconnaissance mission. If there are holes or entryways beneath your deck or porch, clear away any debris, then sprinkle a little flour across the opening, Then, stand sticks fairly close together (but don't push them into the ground too far), or ball up a little newspaper and push it into the hole. 

Monitor for three days for any spot tracks or movement. If you find any, chances are you've got visitors, and it's time to evict them. If not, you can jump straight to making sure critters don't move in.

If this DIY approach doesn't suit you, call a local pest inspection expert who can assess your property, advise you on what pests you have, and provide your best options for tackling them.

2. Avoid Using Poison to Evict Rodents From Under Your Porch

Ideally, we'd recommend using environmentally friendly rat control, not using poison to get rid of rodents under a deck or porch. Not because we think wild rats are cute and fluffy, but because if the rodents eat poison, there's a high chance they'll die under the porch (which then compounds the problem in ways we won’t get into).

Plus, of course, there's a high risk of inadvertently poisoning other harmless animals or even your pets or children. For this same reason, we also don't recommend using electric kill stations.

3. Consider the Trap-and-Release Method

Instead of using dangerous methods like poison or electric kill stations, try using traps and release them. If you opt for catch-and-release traps, place them where you can easily retrieve them and bait them with something rodent-approved, such as bacon. 

Keep in mind that you’ll need to choose your trap based on the critter type. You can use traditional snap traps for small rodents like rats, but you’ll likely need a larger cage trap to remove critters like skunks or raccoons. Check the traps multiple times per day so you can relocate any critters ASAP. You can also hire a local pest control service to take care of it for you.

4. Make the Area Inhospitable

Photo: Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images

Another way to evict rodent guests who have overstayed their welcome is to make the area as inhospitable as possible so they'll leave of their own accord. For those hoping to make rodents leave of their own volition, the first thing to do is clear the area around the porch or deck of all vegetation and debris. Rodents like dark, secluded, and well-hidden spaces, so letting light into their previously dark den eliminates cozy hiding spots. 

Next, remove as much debris from under the porch as you can. Sweeping out leaves, grass, loose dirt, and whatever else has worked its way under there over the years removes their comfortable, warm nesting materials.

5. Dig and Screen

Once you’re 100% sure you have no under-porch squatters, it's time to make sure they can't get in. One of the most effective methods is to dig a trench and add a screen. Here’s how:

• Dig a trench at least 1 inch deep around any open areas of your porch or deck.

• Install a fine-mesh screen such as hardware cloth or ¼ inch wire mesh for an inexpensive, practical solution. Or, go fancy with lattice strips. You could even put fine mesh behind the lattice for double protection and an attractive finish. 

• Whatever mesh material you choose, bend the bottom 6 inches outwards so it's an L-shape. Make sure it sits at the bottom of the trench with the bent-out portion pointing out. 

• Ensure the top of the screen is flush with the porch so there are no gaps. 

• Secure the top to the underside of your structure using nails or garden staples. 

• Backfill the trench and press the soil down all the way around.

6. Keep Up With Yard Maintenance 

Relentless rodents may keep trying to take up residence if your yard offers easy food, hiding places, and nesting materials. Of course, you can't strip your yard bare, but some basic yard maintenance deters pests.

• Keep grass, hedges, and other plants neat and well-trimmed, and pull up weeds to eliminate hiding places.

• Keep your grill and deck clean. If you like to fire up the grill regularly, you’ll likely drop food and splatter grease, which is basically like ringing the dinner bell for hungry rodents. Clean up spills right away and hose down the deck at the end of the day when all the food and fun is over.

• Make sure the lids fit tightly on your garbage cans.

• Use rodent-proof bird feeders and move them well away from your porch.

If you’d rather sit on your deck or porch holding a drink with a tiny umbrella than spend your time taking care of the landscape around it, hire a local gardening service to tackle the day-to-day maintenance for you.

Signs You Have a Rodent Problem

Signs of a rodent problem under a house vary depending on the extent of the infestation and the type of rodents involved. If you have yet to spot a rodent, here are common signs to look out for.

Droppings

Rodent droppings are a clear sign of their presence. They are small, pellet-shaped, and dark in color. The size and shape can vary between mice and rats.

Gnawing Marks

Rodents must constantly chew on things to keep their teeth from growing too long. Fun fact: Their teeth can grow into their brains if left unchecked! Look for bite marks on wood, wires, insulation, and other materials in your crawl space or under your house.

Nesting Materials

Rats and mice create nests from shredded paper, fabric, insulation, and plant matter. Finding such materials in your crawl space is a sign of rodent activity.

Nasty Odors

Rodents can emit a musky, urine-like odor. If you detect a persistent, unpleasant smell, it could be due to their presence.

Weird Noises

You might hear scratching, scurrying, or squeaking sounds from under your house, especially at night when rodents are the most active.

Burrows or Holes

Rodents may dig burrows or create holes in the soil beneath your house. Look for openings on the ground and along the foundation.

Grease Marks

Rats leave greasy marks along walls and surfaces as they repeatedly rub their bodies against them—yuck. These marks may look like dark streaks.

Food Storage

Rodents are hoarders who often store food in hidden places. Finding caches of food, such as seeds or pet food, in your crawl space can signify their presence.

Deteriorating Insulation

Rodents are known to tear up insulation materials for nesting or other purposes, leading to a noticeable insulation deterioration in your crawl space.

Damaged Wiring

Rodents chew on electrical wires, leading to electrical problems or fire hazards.

Getting Rid of Rodents Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

When faced with a rodent problem, you have two options: solve the problem yourself or hire a professional. There are pros and cons to each, and ultimately it’s up to you to decide what’s best for your situation. Here are some things to consider:

• Size of the infestation: If your home just has a mouse or two, some simple mousetraps could be your best bet. If you think you have many rodents, a professional can eradicate the problem.

• Safety: Professional exterminators are trained to use hazardous materials like poisons and traps, which can be dangerous when not used correctly. If you have young children or pets, it’s especially important to keep safety in mind. A professional can ensure proper steps are taken to keep everyone happy and healthy (except the rodents).

• Your own abilities: Rodents tend to hang out in small dark spaces that aren’t easily accessible for most humans. Getting rid of them may require someone going into crawl spaces under your house or in the attic, which is best left to a pro. 

• Guarantee: If you set some mousetraps yourself, there’s no guarantee that they’ll work. And unless you really make an effort to rat-proof your home, new critters can find their way in. Many professional exterminators offer a satisfaction guarantee, so if you’re not satisfied with the result, they’ll come back and re-treat your home.

• Cost: The biggest drawback to hiring a professional is cost. It’ll likely cost more than the price of buying a few mousetraps. But depending on your situation, that could be well worth it.

How Much Does Rodent Removal Cost?

The cost of rodent removal varies significantly, influenced by factors like the type of rodents, the extent of infestation, and your location. Common rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons, each requiring different removal methods. Rat extermination costs range from $180 to $615, with the average hovering around $400.

If you are dealing with other types of wildlife, animal removal costs are a bit higher. You can expect your out-of-pocket total to be in the range of $190 to $615. To determine the precise rodent removal cost, contact local pest control or wildlife removal specialists.