Opening Scene

February is always a busy month for rodent calls in Burnaby. This one started with a call from a homeowner who said they’d been hearing light scratching at night, mostly above the kitchen and near the back wall of the house. Nothing dramatic at first — just enough noise to make them pause and wonder if they were imagining it.

It was a single-family home, older build, and the homeowner mentioned they’d also found a couple of small droppings near the pantry a few days earlier. That’s usually when people decide it’s time to call.

When I arrived, the house looked fine from the outside. No obvious damage. That’s pretty common with rodents — the problem usually isn’t visible until you know where to look.

The Problem

Once I started inspecting, it became clear this wasn’t just a single mouse passing through. There were clear signs that rodents had been there for a while. In the attic, sections of the insulation were packed down and disturbed, which usually means nesting activity. Along the back of the house, I found a couple of entry points near utility lines and the foundation — spots that are easy to miss unless you’re looking closely.

The damage wasn’t dramatic, but it was enough to be concerning. There were droppings near food storage areas, insulation that had been chewed apart, and light gnaw marks on the outer coating of some wiring. That’s where rodent problems stop being just annoying and start becoming a safety issue. Even small amounts of damage can add up if it’s left unchecked.

The homeowner was clearly stressed. They were worried about their kids being in the house, whether food had been contaminated, and how long the rodents had actually been there. A lot of people feel frustrated at this stage because they don’t know if they caught the problem early or late. I see that reaction often — especially when the signs start showing up inside the living space.

The Process

We started with a full inspection of the home. That included the attic, the exterior perimeter, crawl areas, and all the usual interior access points. I don’t like jumping straight to treatment without understanding the full picture. Knowing how rodents are getting in and where they’re nesting makes everything else more effective.

Once the activity areas were mapped out, we moved on to removal. Traps were placed in specific locations based on movement patterns and nesting signs. Nothing was done randomly. The goal is to address the problem directly without overdoing it or creating unnecessary disruption inside the home.

After that came exclusion work, which is the most important part of rodent control. We sealed entry points around the foundation, utility penetrations, and smaller gaps that most homeowners wouldn’t think twice about. If those access points aren’t handled properly, the problem usually comes back — even after removal.

We also took care of cleanup in affected areas by removing nesting material and addressing contamination where needed. Throughout the process, I kept the homeowner updated on what was being done and why. That way, there were no surprises, and they understood how each step helped prevent the issue from returning.

The Outcome

Within a few days, the scratching noises stopped completely. Over the next week, there were no new droppings, no movement sounds, and no signs of fresh damage anywhere in the house. That’s usually the first sign that things are headed in the right direction.

When I checked back in, the homeowner mentioned they weren’t waking up at night anymore listening for sounds in the walls or ceiling. They felt more comfortable using the kitchen again and weren’t second-guessing every noise in the house.

The biggest change was the sense of relief. Once people feel confident the problem is actually resolved — and not just quiet for the moment — the stress fades. The home goes back to feeling like a normal place to live, which is always the goal at the end of a rodent job.

DIY Advice I Shared

Before wrapping up, I gave them a few simple things they could keep up on their own:

• Store pet food and dry goods in sealed containers

• Keep cardboard storage to a minimum, especially in the garage and basement

• Check door sweeps and replace any that are worn or pulling away from the door

• Walk the exterior of the house once in a while and look for new gaps or damage near the foundation

• Keep garbage bins closed tightly and don’t let trash sit inside overnight

• Clean up food crumbs and spills right away, especially in the kitchen and pantry

• Avoid leaving clutter pushed tight against walls where rodents can hide

• Pay attention to sounds — scratching usually means something’s there

They followed through on those steps, and it helped keep things quiet afterward. Prevention doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to be consistent.

Professional Insight

DIY steps can help lower the chances of rodent problems, especially when it comes to food storage and basic sealing. But once rodents are active inside walls, ceilings, or attics, a professional inspection usually saves a lot of time and frustration.

Rodents are good at staying out of sight. Most homeowners only notice the obvious signs — a noise, a few droppings, or some damage — but that’s often just a small part of what’s actually happening. Nesting areas and entry points are usually hidden in places that aren’t easy to access or inspect safely.

The important part is finding exactly how they got in, addressing the activity properly, and fixing the conditions that allowed them to settle in. When those steps are handled together, rodent problems are much less likely to return.

Closing

Every rodent job reminds me how quickly a small issue can turn into something stressful if it’s ignored. Catching it early makes all the difference.

If you’re in Burnaby and hearing noises, finding droppings, or just have a bad feeling something isn’t right, it’s worth checking sooner rather than later.

– Ryan

[https://knockoutpest.ca/]