We're Here to Assist You

Rodent: A Recent Job in Surprise, AZ & Some Homeowner Tips

Category: Holiday

Published: April 2026

By: Kyle Deal, Owner, Deal Pest Control

What I Walked Into

April is when I start getting more rodent calls across the West Valley area. As temperatures begin to rise, rodents get more active and start looking for food, water, and a safe place to nest — and homes are an easy target.

This one came from a homeowner who started hearing scratching sounds in the walls at night. They also noticed some droppings near the kitchen cabinets and along the garage wall. At first they weren't sure what they were dealing with, but after a few nights of the same sounds, they gave me a call.

The home was clean and well-maintained. Nothing was left out, and the kitchen was tidy. But once I started checking the interior and exterior more closely, I found a few entry points and conditions that were making it easy for rodents to move in and stay comfortable. That's how it usually goes — it doesn't take a messy home. Just a small gap, a food source, or a quiet corner to nest.

The Problem

Once I inspected the property more closely, it was clear rodents had found a way in and settled in a few key spots.

There was activity along the garage wall, near the base of the kitchen cabinets, and around a utility entry point on the exterior. I found droppings, some gnaw marks near a cabinet corner, and a gap behind the water heater that was more than big enough for a rodent to squeeze through.

The homeowner mentioned the scratching was loudest late at night and seemed to be coming from inside the wall near the kitchen. I hear that a lot across the West Valley area. Rodents are good at staying out of sight during the day, but once they settle in, the signs start adding up quickly.

The Process

I did a full inspection of the inside and outside of the home — focusing on where rodents were entering, traveling, and nesting.

I checked the kitchen, garage, utility areas, attic access points, foundation line, and all exterior walls for gaps, cracks, and entry points. I also looked for grease marks along walls and baseboards, which often show where rodents are regularly traveling.

After identifying the main activity areas, I set up the appropriate treatment and sealed the key entry points I found. I walked the homeowner through what to keep an eye on — especially around the garage, kitchen, and utility areas — and went over a few steps they could take to make the home less attractive to rodents between services.

Rodent control works best when entry points are sealed and the conditions drawing them in are addressed alongside the treatment.

The Outcome

Within a short time, the homeowner stopped hearing scratching in the walls and the activity around the kitchen and garage dropped off significantly.

They felt a lot better knowing where the rodents had been getting in and what had been attracting them. By the next check-in, they had already cleaned up the area behind the water heater and added weatherstripping to the garage door. That's the best result — the treatment does its job and the homeowner feels confident about keeping things under control going forward.

DIY Advice I Shared

Before I left, I gave them a few simple things to help keep rodents away.

The most important thing is sealing entry points. Rodents can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps, so I always recommend checking around utility lines, pipes, vents, and the foundation.

Adding door sweeps and weatherstripping to the garage door and exterior entry points is one of the easiest and most effective things a homeowner can do.

I also told them to store food in sealed containers and avoid leaving pet food out overnight. Removing easy food sources makes the home a lot less attractive to rodents looking to settle in.

Clutter is another thing to stay on top of. Piles along garage walls, storage areas, and corners give rodents places to nest and travel without being noticed. Keeping those areas clear makes it easier to spot activity early. I also suggested trimming landscaping and vegetation back from the home — overgrown areas close to the foundation give rodents cover and easy access to the structure.

Lastly, I recommended checking the attic, crawl spaces, and utility areas periodically for droppings or any signs of activity. Catching it early is always easier than dealing with it once they've settled in.

These steps won't eliminate every risk, but they make a real difference when combined with professional treatment.

"It's brighter than before!"

— Megan

Professional Insight

Rodent problems are almost always connected to entry points, food sources, and shelter around the home.

They're not wandering in by accident — they're following conditions that make your property feel safe and comfortable for them. That's why I focus on more than just setting traps. I look for how they're getting in, where they're traveling, and what's keeping them there. Once those things are addressed and the homeowner knows what to watch for, it's a lot easier to keep rodents out for the long term.

Closing Thoughts

Every spring I see rodent activity pick up across the West Valley area — around garages, kitchens, utility areas, attics, and entry points along the foundation.

It doesn't mean anything is wrong with the home. It usually just means rodents found a small way in and a comfortable place to settle.

If you're hearing sounds in the walls, finding droppings, or noticing gnaw marks in the same spots, it's worth getting it checked out early before it turns into a bigger problem.