Trapping vs. Baiting

Why trap? . . . and when not to use bait

Trapping is the only professional way to reduce rodent populations indoors. This is because rats or mice that are already indoors must be removed from the building or they will die in the attic, walls, living space, or foundation crawlspace. Their carcasses will decay and you will get a horrible odor, hordes of flies, and sources of disease. Trapping allows the animals - alive or dead - to be removed from the premises.

Attic, living space, and crawlspace trapping
Child-proof and pet-proof trapping
Alternative non-lethal trapping

Professional vs. Unprofessional Trapping

How do you trap a rat? Well, first you have to think like a rat. And all Cascade technicians are taught just that. They understand the amazing ability of rats and mice to survive, and how curious (yet cautious) they are when they encounter new objects. But our techs are also human, so they know how to select and place traps so they're safe for kids and pets.

Improper Use of Toxic Baits

When you use poison bait, rats and mice eat it and then return to their nest or another hidden place, where they die, decay, and smell really bad. They can die in a wall void, a heating vent, or under insulation, where they're hard to find. This means you – or somebody – has to hunt for the dead bodies and remove them.

Appropriate Time and Place for Toxic Baits

Professional exterior rodent baiting
Exterior perimeter defense against reinfestation
Childproof and petproof bait stations

Bait should only be used outdoors, after the rats or mice have been removed from the structure and after buildout or rodent proofing has been applied. Rats come from an existing population near your home. Because rats are territorial, as soon as we have gotten rid of the resident rats, their territory will be up for grabs - and the pheromone scent left behind will attract new rodents. Cascade can protect and maintain your perimeter and keep nearby rodents from reentering and reinfesting your home. See Our Control Service for more details.

Non-Lethal Trapping

Although it's more labor intensive, Cascade can do non-lethal trapping too. Contact us for details.

We provide pest control for: Seattle, Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien Carnation, Clearview, Covington, Des Moines, Edmonds, Everett, Fall City, Federal Way, Goldbar, Issaquah, Juanita, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Maltby, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Mill Creek, Monroe, Mukilteo, Newcastle, Normandy Park, North Bend, Preston, Redmond, Renton, Richmond Beach, Sammamish, Seatac, Shoreline, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Startup, Sultan, Tukwila, Woodinville, Snohomish County, and King County.