Xtermco removes rats and mice from homes, condos and businesses in Honolulu and across Oʻahu. We find how they get in, seal the gaps, set traps where the activity is and come back until it stops. Xtermco has served Oʻahu since 1961 under Hawaii pest control license PCO-201. Call (808) 591-2922.
What is rodent control?
Rodent control means finding where rats and mice are living, how they get in and what is feeding them, then removing the ones inside and closing the openings so new ones can't follow. Traps are only one part of it. A complete job has five parts:
- Inspection. Finding droppings, rub marks, nests, burrows and the openings rodents use.
- Sanitation. Removing the food, water and clutter that attract them.
- Exclusion. Sealing gaps around pipes, vents, eaves, doors and foundations.
- Removal. Trapping and, where it fits, secured bait stations.
- Monitoring. Checking back until activity stops.
Skip one step and the problem usually returns: trapping without sealing makes room for the next rat. The Hawaii Department of Health calls rodent proofing one of the best steps you can take to prevent or end an infestation, and notes that rats and mice breed year-round in Hawaiʻi.
Which rats and mice live in Oʻahu homes?
The Hawaii Department of Health names the roof rat and the Norway rat as the species behind most complaints. Knowing which one you have changes where we look and what we seal.
| Rodent | Where it lives | Signs to look for | How it usually gets in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof rat | Rattus rattus. An excellent climber found in trees, roof spaces and attics (Hawaii DOH). | Noises overhead at night, droppings along beams and in stored boxes, gnawed wiring, travel along fences, wires and branches touching the roof | Gable and roof vents, gaps along the roofline, overhanging branches |
| Norway rat | Rattus norvegicus. Digs and burrows under structures, but can also climb (Hawaii DOH). | Burrows along foundations, activity around trash, drains and outdoor storage, larger droppings at ground level | Gaps around plumbing, under doors and in foundations and crawl spaces |
| Polynesian rat | Rattus exulans. Lives mainly on farmland and in other outdoor habitats and does not often move into homes (Hawaii DOH). | Activity in yards, gulches and overgrown lots next to the property | Dense vegetation and clutter that lead to the house |
| House mouse | Mus musculus. Nests inside walls, cabinets and stored boxes and forages only 10 to 30 feet from the nest (Hawaii DOH). | Small droppings in drawers and pantries, chewed packaging, shredded nesting material | Any gap wider than 1/4 inch |
Both rat species range up to 150 feet from where they shelter. Mice multiply fastest: a female can produce about 50 young a year, and the Department of Health cites a case where 50 mice grew to more than 2,000 in six months.
What are the signs of rats or mice?
- Droppings along walls, in cabinets, under sinks or in the garage
- Gnawed food packaging, wood, plastic or wiring
- Holes in window screens or around pipes
- Dark, greasy rub marks along walls and beams
- A strong urine odor in closed spaces
- Scratching or running sounds in the ceiling or walls at night
These are the signs the Hawaii Department of Health lists. Footprints in dust or flour help confirm activity; see how to identify rat footprints and assess an infestation.
How does Xtermco get rid of rats and mice?
Inspect
A technician checks inside and out for droppings, gnaw marks, grease marks, nests, burrows and entry points, from the roofline to the foundation.
Explain the plan
You hear which rodent you likely have, how it is getting in, what is feeding it, and what the work will cost before anything starts.
Seal entry points
Gaps are closed with materials rodents can't chew through, so new rats and mice can't replace the ones removed.
Trap the rodents inside
Traps go where the activity is, set out of reach of children and pets. Rats are cautious and may avoid a new trap for a week or more, so placement matters (Hawaii DOH).
Use bait stations only where they fit
Where bait is the right tool, it goes in tamper-resistant stations, mainly outdoors. Indoors, rats that eat bait can die inside walls and leave an odor that lasts for weeks (Hawaii DOH).
Follow up
Return visits check traps, confirm the seals are holding and look for new activity until it stops.
Rodent-proofing: how we seal your home
Exclusion is the long-term fix. The Hawaii Department of Health advises closing any opening larger than 1/4 inch for mice or 1/2 inch for rats, using 19-gauge hardware cloth, 26-gauge sheet metal, cement mortar or concrete. These are the places we check and seal on Oʻahu homes:
Gable and roof vents
Roof rats climb into attics through damaged vent screens and gaps along the roofline. See our photos of rodent entry points at gable and roof vents.
Rooflines and overhanging branches
Branches, vines and palm fronds touching the roof give rats a bridge to the house. The Hawaii DOH recommends removing limbs that overhang roofs; see how overgrown foliage invites infestations.
Plumbing and utility penetrations
Gaps where pipes, cables and AC lines pass through walls are common entry points for Norway rats and mice. See plumbing penetrations: hidden entry points for pests.
Gaps in walls, ceilings and floors
Cracks, missing trim and open wall voids connect one part of a building to another. See how gaps in walls, ceilings and floors invite pests.
Doors and garage doors
Worn sweeps and gaps under doors let mice straight in. See sealing doors to keep pests out.
Between visits, the steps in 9 rodent-proofing techniques for your Hawaiʻi home help keep them out.
What affects rodent control cost on Oʻahu?
Every property is different, so the price follows what the inspection finds. These are the main factors:
Rats or mice
Rats are more cautious around traps and often nest in attics or rooflines, so a rat job usually takes more visits than a mouse problem in one kitchen.
How widespread the activity is
Activity in one room needs fewer traps and visits than rats in the attic, walls and crawl space.
How many entry points need sealing
The number of gaps, the roof height and how the building is built all change the sealing work. Post-and-pier homes with open crawl spaces and many vents usually take longer.
One-time service or an ongoing plan
A recent problem that is fully sealed may need one round of service. Restaurants, rentals and homes next to gulches or fruit trees often do better with scheduled visits.
Cleanup and repairs
Removing contaminated insulation or repairing chewed materials is usually priced separately from trapping and sealing.
When you compare quotes, ask for inspection, removal, sealing and follow-up visits to be listed separately, and ask what happens if rodents come back. A low price that leaves out sealing usually means paying again. We give you a free estimate after the inspection; our guide to what affects pest control costs in Hawaiʻi covers pricing in more detail.
Rodent control for restaurants, warehouses and hotels
Businesses have more doors, deliveries, food and hiding places, so rodents need scheduled service rather than a single visit. Under Hawaiʻi rules (HAR §11-26-33), every owner or occupant of premises with rodents must keep working to eliminate them, store food and feed in ratproof containers or locations, and remove garbage and fallen fruit promptly.
- Restaurants, kitchens and food storage
- Hotels and multi-unit residential buildings
- Warehouses, distribution centers and plants
- Offices, schools and retail
See our commercial pest control programs and industrial pest control for facilities, and read how we approach restaurant pest control on Oʻahu.
Why are rats a health risk in Hawaiʻi?
The Hawaii Department of Health says rodents can carry at least 10 diseases, including leptospirosis, murine typhus and salmonellosis, along with fleas, lice, mites and the parasite that causes rat lungworm disease.
- Rat lungworm disease is endemic on every Hawaiian island. Rats pass the parasite to snails and slugs, and people are infected by eating them raw or undercooked, including on produce that wasn't inspected and rinsed. The Department of Health recommends eliminating snails, slugs and rats near houses and gardens (Hawaii DOH).
- Leptospirosis spreads through the urine of rats, mice and mongooses in fresh water, wet soil and plants, and enters through broken skin, eyes, nose or mouth. Puerto Rico reports the most U.S. cases, followed by Hawaiʻi (Hawaii DOH).
For symptoms and prevention, read rat infestation health risks you should never ignore. When cleaning up, the CDC says not to sweep or vacuum droppings; wear gloves, spray with disinfectant or a 1-to-9 bleach solution, let it soak for 5 minutes, then wipe it up.
What can you do today?
- Store rice, cereal and pet food in hard containers with tight lids, and don't leave food in pet dishes.
- Pick up ripe and fallen fruit from mango, papaya, avocado and banana trees.
- Trim branches, vines and palm fronds away from the roof.
- Keep trash in bins with lids that close.
- Clear stacked lumber, boxes and clutter where rodents can nest.
- Fix leaks and empty standing water.
These are the sanitation steps the Hawaii Department of Health recommends alongside sealing and trapping.
Why choose Xtermco for rodent control in Honolulu?
- Serving Oʻahu since 1961 from our Waipahu office.
- Licensed. Hawaii pest control operator license PCO-201.
- Sealing, not just trapping. Every plan covers the entry points as well as the rodents inside.
- Homes and businesses across the island, including Honolulu, Pearl City, Kapolei, ʻEwa, Mililani, Kailua and Kāneʻohe.
- BBB-accredited since 1982, rated A+.
Rodent control FAQ
How much does rodent control cost on Oʻahu?
It depends on whether you have rats or mice, how widespread the activity is, how many entry points need sealing and whether you need a one-time service or ongoing visits. Cleanup and repairs are usually priced separately. Xtermco inspects first and gives you a free estimate, so you know what is included and what it costs before any work starts.
How do I know if I have rats or mice?
The Hawaii Department of Health lists droppings, gnawed objects, holes in screens or around pipes, dark greasy rub marks along runways and a strong urine odor as the usual signs. Scratching in the ceiling at night points to roof rats. Small droppings in drawers and pantries usually mean mice. An inspection confirms which one you have.
How long does it take to get rid of rats?
It depends on the size of the population and how many entry points need sealing. Rats are cautious and may avoid a new trap for a week or more, according to the Hawaii Department of Health, so most jobs need an initial visit and at least one follow-up. Your technician tells you what to expect after the inspection.
Why do rats keep coming back after I trap them?
Usually the entry points are still open or food is still easy to reach. Trapping removes the rodents you have now; sealing gaps and removing food stop the next ones. The Hawaii Department of Health also notes that rodents caught in live traps and released outdoors can quickly find their way back into your home or a neighbor's.
Are traps and bait stations safe around kids and pets?
Traps are set where children and pets can't reach them. Bait can harm children, pets and wildlife, so the Hawaii Department of Health advises using tamperproof bait stations outdoors and following the label exactly. We discuss placement with you before anything is set, and we avoid bait indoors where possible.
Can rats in my yard cause rat lungworm disease or leptospirosis?
Yes, they can contribute to both. Rat lungworm disease is endemic on every Hawaiian island: rats pass the parasite to snails and slugs, and people get it from eating them raw or on unwashed produce. Leptospirosis spreads through the urine of rats, mice and mongooses in water and soil. The Hawaii Department of Health recommends controlling rats around homes and gardens to reduce both risks.
Do you provide rodent control for restaurants and businesses?
Yes. Xtermco serves restaurants, hotels, warehouses, offices and industrial sites across Oʻahu. Businesses usually need scheduled visits rather than a one-time treatment, with traps or stations checked on a set schedule and entry points sealed. Hawaii rules require every owner or occupant of a property with rodents to keep working to eliminate them.
Should I clean up rat droppings myself?
You can, carefully. The CDC says not to sweep or vacuum droppings, urine or nesting material, because that stirs up contaminated dust. Wear rubber or plastic gloves, spray the area with a disinfectant or a 1-to-9 bleach solution, let it soak for 5 minutes, then wipe it up with paper towels and throw them away. For attics or heavy contamination, ask us about cleanup.
Take Back Your Space Today
Rodents don’t belong in your home or business. With Xtermco’s expert rodent control services, you gain:
- Fast relief from infestations
- Lasting protection and monitoring
- Peace of mind for your family or business
