Ann Arbor's charm comes partly from its age: wood-frame houses with deep eaves, fieldstone foundations, brick storefronts and big old trees. Those same features welcome rodents. The Huron River corridor and the parks and arboretum that follow it bring wildlife close to residential blocks, while the busy restaurant scene downtown sustains rats in alleys and along building edges. By November, almost everybody knows someone with a mouse in the kitchen.
PestMinistry is a referral service. We connect callers with independent, licensed rodent control providers serving Ann Arbor. We do not trap or seal properties ourselves.
Species to know
- House mice are the most frequent indoor rodent and can squeeze through gaps the width of a pencil.
- White-footed mice come from woodlots and gardens into basements, garages and sheds.
- Norway rats burrow near dumpsters, drains and foundations, especially in denser areas with food service.
- Fox, gray and red squirrels nest in attics and chew wiring and soffits.
- Raccoons and chipmunks are wildlife concerns that sometimes require specialized trapping and exclusion.
Noticing the signs
- Droppings along baseboards, behind appliances and inside cabinets.
- Gnawed packaging, wires and wooden trim.
- Smears, tracks and dirty marks where rodents repeatedly pass.
- Night-time noises: scurrying, scratching and rolling sounds in ceilings.
- Burrows near foundations, under steps and along fences.
How rodents get into Ann Arbor buildings
Fieldstone and brick foundations develop gaps at the mortar. Old porches, cellar doors and coal chutes may not close tightly. Attached garages create shared air spaces with homes. Roof lines on Victorian-era houses have complex flashings, vents and dormers that offer squirrels a way in. In student-heavy districts, trash piles up at move-out and food scraps fill alleys, drawing rats and mice. Winters with snow cover compel rodents to seek warmth, and neighbors' problems can migrate through yards.
What a professional does
- Walks the property from roof to foundation, noting entry points and food sources.
- Sets snap traps in attics, basements and behind appliances; adds outdoor bait stations where legal and appropriate.
- Seals openings with materials that rodents cannot chew, including metal and concrete patch, and installs chimney caps and vent screens.
- Advises on cleaning, insulation replacement and sanitation.
- Follows up until activity ends.
Actions for homeowners and tenants
- Store dry goods in glass or hard plastic containers.
- Take out trash regularly and keep bins closed.
- Trim trees back from the roof and tidy brush near the foundation.
- Caulk gaps where pipes and cables enter the house.
- Pick up pet food at night and clean up bird feeder spills.
- Do not stack boxes against basement walls, where mice nest.
Rental and commercial notes
Property owners in Ann Arbor should combine exclusion with tenant education, as sanitation habits in shared houses often make the difference. Restaurants should maintain logs of monitoring and service.
Request help
Call (844) 725-1661 and we will connect you with a licensed provider.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I have mice in a clean kitchen?
They need little food and tiny gaps. Cleanliness helps but cannot replace sealing.
Is it a squirrel or a mouse in the attic?
Squirrels are louder and active by day, mice more subtle and mostly at night.
Are glue traps recommended?
Many professionals prefer snap traps and exclusion because they are quicker and more humane.
Will cold weather force rodents out?
No, it pushes them in.