Controlling Rats & Mice
Rodent Control Dublin – Fast, Reliable & Long-Term Protection
Expert Help for Rat and Mice Problems
Hearing scratching noises in your attic or behind kitchen units? Have you found droppings or chewed packaging? You may have a rodent infestation.
Owl Pest Control Ltd provides professional rodent control services in Dublin to eliminate rats and mice quickly, safely, and permanently. Our licensed technicians identify the source of the issue, treat the infestation, and help you keep rodents out for good.
Whether it is a one-off domestic call-out or a preventative programme for your business, we deliver effective, discreet, and fully compliant pest management solutions.
Mice and rats enter your home looking for food, water and harbourage. But they remain a threat to your health, your property, and will leave you distressed. Simple measures like rodent-proofing your home can help to protect you.
Check our advice below or contact us for help.
• SAME-DAY SERVICE
• FREE QUOTATIONS
Understanding Rodents – The Hidden Invaders
Two species cause the majority of problems in Ireland:
- Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus) – also known as the brown rat or sewer rat.
- House Mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) – small, inquisitive, and highly adaptable.
Both thrive around human environments where food and shelter are readily available. They nest in roof voids, wall cavities, basements, and sewers—often unnoticed until the population has grown.
Rodents are intelligent, agile, and prolific breeders.
- A single female mouse can have up to 8 litters per year, averaging 6 pups per litter.
- A female rat produces 6–11 young every 3 weeks and can breed again within two days of giving birth.
Without control, a few rodents can quickly turn into a full-scale infestation.
PROBLEMS
SOLUTIONS
Rodent Control Includes
Mice and Rats are responsible for:
- Making loud noises at night in the attic or inside walls
- Leaving pungent urine smell and droppings behind
- Carrying diseases such as typhus fever and leptospirosis
- Gnawing through wiring which may cause fires
- Destroying belongings and property
- Contaminating food with droppings hair & urine
- Carrying ticks or fleas which can harm humans and pets
- Dying under floorboards and walls cavities causing foul odours
Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Look for these common indicators of rats or mice in your property:
- Noises: Scratching, squeaking, or scampering in ceilings, walls, or under floors—mainly at night.
- Droppings: Mouse droppings are 3–6 mm long; rat droppings are around 12 mm. Both are dark and tapered at one end.
- Gnaw marks: Fresh tooth marks on wood, wiring, skirting boards, and plastic containers.
- Smell: A persistent musky odour indicates long-standing activity.
- Grease smears: Dirty rub marks along skirting or pipes from oily fur.
- Burrows and holes: Particularly near foundations, sheds, or compost heaps.
- Tracks and footprints: In dusty areas, you may see footprints or tail swipes.
If you notice any of these, contact Owl Pest Control for a rapid rodent inspection.
ASK A PEST CONTROL SPECIALIST
How we keep rats and mice out of your home...
- By Blocking all entry points to the building.
- By inspecting the walls and foundations of your home and repairing with expanding foam or masonry materials
- By Carrying out CCTV drain surveys and Smoke tests of the sewer system
- By inspecting and sealing joints around windows and doorsills
- By covering gaps between exterior walls and roof fascia boards
- By blocking gaps around air vents and plumbing access points
Fast Emergency Rodent Response Today
Why choosing Owl Pest Control for your rat and mice control?
Owl Pest Control emergency rodent control service is available same day most of the time, i.e. Monday to Saturday in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Kildare counties. Our team of licensed and experienced specialists will inspect your property, assess and remediate rodent issues on-site, including housekeeping and proofing recommendations.
FREE QUOTATION:
We will explain all costs involved in the removal of rats or mice from your home while we determine the entry points rodents are using.
PREVENTION OF RODENTS:
We can help you proof your home structure so rodents can't get in causing stress damage and the mess from droppings and urine.
FOLLOW UPS:
We will be back to eradicate and take away trapped or dead rodents and fix any further damage they may cause after our initial treatment.
ONGOING PROTECTION:
We offer scheduled inspections programmes so that you don't have to worry about rodents ever again.
How to Get Rid of Rodents Effectively
DIY traps and supermarket poisons rarely resolve an infestation. They target only visible activity and often leave the breeding source untouched.
The fastest and safest way to get rid of rodents is through professional intervention by a qualified pest technician.
Our Rodent Control Process
- Inspection & Identification
We determine whether you’re dealing with rats, mice, or both, and locate entry points, nests, and food sources. - Treatment Programme
Our licensed rat and mouse trappers use advanced control methods such as secured bait stations, snap traps, and remote monitoring where appropriate. - Drain Survey & Structural Check
Many rodent infestations originate from damaged drains. We conduct CCTV drain inspections and smoke tests to uncover hidden access points. - Proofing & Repairs
We seal openings, repair vents, and install stainless-steel mesh to prevent re-entry. - Follow-Up & Monitoring
We revisit to ensure full eradication and provide maintenance options for long-term prevention.
By integrating pest control and drain expertise, Owl Pest Control provides complete, lasting protection.
Rodent Damage from Drain Issues
Cracked or misaligned sewer pipes are a major cause of rodent infestations.
Rats travel through drainage systems and emerge through gaps around toilets, manholes, or broken AJs.
Our in-house drainage team offers:
CCTV Drain Surveys – identifying cracks, leaks, and rodent entry points.
Smoke Testing – locating breaks behind walls or under floors.
Pipe Relining & Repair – sealing access routes permanently.
High-Pressure Jetting – removing blockages and grease that attract rodents.
Find out more on our Drain Pipe Surveys & Repairs page.
Damages By Rodents
Rats and mice follow and attack and contaminate our food from fields, orchards, livestock facilities, all the way through transport, storage & processing, and finishing in restaurants, supermarkets, and our homes. They also spoil tons of food by contaminating it with their excrement, urine and fur.
This pipe was taken from a flooded apartment
In buildings and homes rodents damage doors, ceilings, floors and walls as a result of their burrowing and gnawing activity. They also regularly chew on electrical wiring and utility pipes which have resulted in explosions, fires, indoor flooding, equipment loss, and power shortages.
Only two types are considered a major pest in Ireland: the Norway rat and the house mouse.
Rodent Proofing & Prevention Tips
Once your infestation is cleared, prevention is vital to avoid recurrence.
Follow these proven steps from our Rodent Proofing & Repairs service.
- Seal holes around pipes, cables, and air vents with metal mesh or concrete.
- Trim vegetation and clear clutter near walls.
- Store food in sealed containers; empty bins regularly.
- Keep drainage systems maintained and inspected.
- Replace damaged plastic air vents with metal covers.
- Repair roof gaps and fascia boards.
- Avoid leaving pet food or bird seed outdoors overnight.
Our team can carry out full property proofing to ensure rodents cannot re-enter.
Rodents vs DIY Methods
| DIY Approach | Professional Rodent Control (Owl Pest Control Ltd) |
|---|---|
| Temporary relief; limited access to effective baits | Comprehensive eradication and proofing |
| No drain or building expertise | Full drain, structure, and pest integration |
| Unsafe handling of poisons | Certified technicians using regulated materials |
| Often incomplete and recurring | Guaranteed results and follow-ups |
Health pests rodents
Mice and Rats have been responsible for the spread of many diseases to people and domestic animals, mainly due to their habits of leaving and travelling in sewers, garbage, etc. There are several rodent-transmitted diseases which cause concern such as leptospirosis (Weil’s disease), salmonellosis, plague, murine typhus, rat-bite fever, and hantaviruses which are now discussed widely in the context of coronavirus pandemic.
Some people also develop an allergic reaction to rat or house mice droppings, which can be responsible for asthma-related symptoms.
Rodent Biology & Reproduction
Rat vs Mice droppings size comparison
Adult mice weight 15-30g and rats 250-500g. Mice are very inquisitive and walk around 200 metres per day. A single mouse can also produce 40 to 100 droppings per day so their presence can create a lot of problems very quickly.
Rodents are very successful breeders. Every three weeks a female mouse produces between 4 and 7 pups per litter (8-12 for rats) and will typically have a total of 8 litters in her lifetime (1 to 2 years). This means that rodent colonies can grow very rapidly.
Rodents consume most types of food. Rats eat 22-30g of food per day and mice 3 to 5g
Rat teeth can chew through metal
Rodents are successful because of their ability to adapt quickly to any sort of environment. They are omnivorous and mostly active at night when they can’t be noticed by people. This makes them difficult to control.
Using rat and mice poison on its own is rarely enough. Effective control of rat or mice infestation requires an integrated approach in structural pest control operations involving inspections, sanitation, rodent-proofing, trapping and rodenticide programs to reduce their numbers quickly.
For the most effective solution call your local pest management expert.
Why Choose Owl Pest Control for Rodent Control in Dublin
- Trusted Since 1998: Serving homes and businesses across Dublin, Wicklow, Meath, and Kildare.
- Qualified & Licensed: Certified by DAFM, CRRU Ireland, and members of IPCA, NPTA, and BPCA.
- Expert Team: Field Biologists and senior technicians with over 15 years’ experience.
- Integrated Solutions: Combining pest control, drain repair, and proofing expertise.
- Fast Response: Same-day call-outs available Monday to Saturday.
- Transparent Pricing: Free quotations and clear reports—no hidden charges.
- Ongoing Protection: Scheduled maintenance programmes to keep properties rodent-free.
Explore our full range of Pest Control Services HERE
Don’t let rats or mice cause costly damage or risk your health.
Call Owl Pest Control now on 014523680 for a free rodent control quotation or to book an inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
► What is the difference between rats and mice?
Rats are larger (250–500 g) with thicker tails and blunt noses; mice weigh 15–30 g with pointed snouts and large ears. Both can cause similar damage and health risks.
► How do I know if I have rodents in my home?
Listen for scratching at night, look for droppings or gnawed materials, and note any strong musky smells. Visible burrows or holes outside are also warning signs.
► How do rodents get into buildings?
They commonly enter through broken drains, gaps around pipes, unsealed air vents, and damaged rooflines. CCTV surveys help detect these access points.
► What is the fastest way to get rid of rodents?
Contact a professional rodent control specialist. Certified technicians use targeted treatments, safe baits, and proofing measures that eliminate infestations quickly and prevent re-entry.
► Are rodents harmful to humans and pets?
Yes. Rodents carry Weil’s disease, Salmonella, and parasites like fleas and ticks. All treatments by Owl Pest Control are pet- and child-safe when used correctly.
► Why do rodents keep coming back?
Without addressing structural issues such as drain defects or entry gaps, infestations will recur. That’s why Owl Pest Control combines pest management with proofing and drain repair.
► Can ultrasonic repellents stop rodents?
They may provide short-term deterrence but are ineffective against established infestations. Physical proofing and professional treatment are essential for long-term results.
► How often should I inspect my property for rodent activity?
Check attics, sheds, and external drains at least twice a year. Businesses handling food should have scheduled pest management inspections.
► Do you provide emergency rodent control?
Yes, we offer same-day emergency rodent control in Dublin and nearby counties.
► Are your services guaranteed?
Absolutely. All treatments include follow-up visits and guaranteed results under our service agreement.
