In 2026, Brezden Pest Control celebrates our 46th year serving San Luis Obispo County, and Rodent Awareness Week is one of the dates we circle on the calendar every year. The National Pest Management Association uses this week to remind homeowners that rats and mice start looking for a way inside as the weather cools. Our team sees the same pattern on the Central Coast, from Paso Robles to Pismo Beach.
Why rodents come inside
Rodents want 3 things: food, water and shelter. A warm attic, a garage full of stored boxes, or a pantry with an open bag of dog food answers all 3 at once. The National Pest Management Association estimates that rodents invade about 21 million homes each winter in the United States, according to its 2024 Rodent Awareness Week release. A rodent in your home is not a sign that you keep a messy house. Rats and mice are simply very good at finding a way in, and our rodent control page explains the species we see most often in local homes.
The 4 rodents we see most in San Luis Obispo County
- House mice: Small, gray to brown, and happy to nest inside walls, cabinets and storage boxes close to food.
- Deer mice: Brown on top and white underneath, more common in rural homes, cabins, sheds and outbuildings.
- Roof rats: Slim climbers that travel along tree branches, fences and power lines to reach attics and upper walls.
- Norway rats: Heavier burrowers that stay low, around foundations, crawl spaces and garages.
Knowing which rodent you have changes where the inspection starts, which is why our technicians identify the species before they recommend a treatment. The Brezden pest library has more detail on each one.
Warning signs to look for this week
Rodents are most active at night, so most families notice the evidence before they ever see the animal. The National Pest Management Association lists these signs in its rodent signs guide:
- Droppings: Small dark pellets in cabinets, pantries, drawers or along baseboards.
- Gnaw marks: Chewed corners on food boxes, wood, insulation or wiring.
- Sounds at night: Scratching or scurrying inside walls, ceilings or the attic.
- Grease marks: Dark smudges along walls and baseboards where rodents travel the same path every night.
- Nests: Shredded paper, fabric or insulation tucked into a quiet corner of the garage or attic.
If you find any of these, it is worth a call. The same National Pest Management Association release reported that only 17% of Americans call a pest control professional at the first sign of rodents, in a Harris Poll survey of 2,090 adults taken in 2024, and an early call is what keeps a small problem small.
Why rodents are more than a nuisance
Rodent teeth never stop growing, so rats and mice chew constantly to keep them filed down. That habit damages insulation, stored belongings and electrical wiring, and chewed wiring inside a wall is a fire risk you cannot see. Rodents also contaminate food and food surfaces, and the National Pest Management Association notes they can spread disease and trigger asthma and allergies. The health section of our rodent control page covers the risks in more detail.
6 ways to keep rodents out of your home
- Seal gaps the size of a dime: Check around doors, windows, pipes, vents and the foundation, and close openings with caulk or steel wool, as the National Pest Management Association recommends.
- Store food in airtight containers: Pantry staples and pet food both belong in sealed glass or plastic containers.
- Clean up crumbs and spills right away: A clean counter takes away the reason to stay.
- Declutter the garage, attic and crawl space: Lift stored boxes off the floor and onto shelves so rodents lose their hiding places.
- Trim trees and shrubs back from the roofline: Roof rats use branches as a bridge.
- Keep trash cans closed: Use bins with tight lids and keep them away from the side of the house.
These habits make your home much less inviting, and our gopher control guide covers the outdoor rodents that tunnel through Central Coast yards.
What if you do everything right and still hear scratching?
This is the question most homeowners ask, and the honest answer is that prevention lowers the odds but cannot close every gap. Rodents can enter through openings you would never notice, and store-bought traps only catch the animals that happen to find them. A professional inspection finds the entry points, identifies the species and treats the whole population, which is why Brezden Pest Control offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every job. Read what local families say on our testimonials page.
Take action during Rodent Awareness Week
For Rodent Awareness Week, Brezden Pest Control is offering a free rodent inspection. Our technicians, Ray, Josh, Dimitri and Sam, will check your home from the foundation to the attic, show you exactly what they find, and close the door behind your uninvited guests. Call 805-544-9446 or request your free estimate online.
Don’t get the runaround, get the Brezzaround.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have mice or rats?
Mouse droppings are small, about the size of a grain of rice, while rat droppings are larger and shaped like a capsule. Rats also leave bigger gnaw marks and heavier grease trails. Our technicians identify the species during a free inspection.
Can a mouse really fit through a hole the size of a dime?
Yes. The National Pest Management Association notes that mice can fit through holes as small as a dime, which is why sealing small gaps matters so much.
Is it embarrassing to call a pest company about mice?
Not at all. Rodents get into clean, well-kept homes every day because they are looking for warmth and food, not dirt. Brezden Pest Control has been helping San Luis Obispo County families with exactly this problem since 1980, and you can learn more about our team.
About Brezden Pest Control: Brezden Pest Control provides rodent control, ant control, and termite treatment services in the San Luis Obispo area. The company keeps homes and businesses pest-free with its commercial pest control and home pest control services. “Like” the Facebook page to receive information on termite treatment. Call 805-544-9446 today for a local pest control estimate. Visit the website to download a copy of the “Top 10 Reasons Customers Choose Brezden Pest Control.”
