Mice or rats in your home? Poison makes it worse. (914) 315-7033
Family-Owned Since 1998
Licensed & Insured
100% Poison-Free Approach
Whole-Home Rodent-Proofing
Written Guarantee on Exclusion
Most pest control companies use poison for mice and rats. Poison creates secondary problems: dead rodents in walls, secondary poisoning of pets and wildlife, and the smell. TriState Wildlife uses a 100% poison-free approach. We trap, we seal, we monitor. Targeted trapping combined with whole-home rodent-proofing is the only approach that actually solves the problem long-term. All exclusion work is backed by a written guarantee.
How We Work
Our Rodent Control Process
We start with a comprehensive interior and exterior inspection. We identify every entry point, assess the severity of the infestation, determine the species, and map activity patterns. A mouse can enter through a gap the size of a dime. A rat needs only a quarter-sized hole.
We place targeted snap traps and mechanical traps in strategic locations based on rodent travel patterns. No poison, no glue boards. Traps are checked and serviced on a regular schedule.
Simultaneously, we begin sealing the structure. Every gap, crack, pipe penetration, and utility entry is sealed with professional-grade materials: steel wool and caulk for small gaps, galvanized steel or copper mesh for larger openings. This is the most important part. Without a complete seal, new rodents replace the ones you trap.
After the initial knockdown, we offer ongoing monitoring programs to catch any new activity early. All rodent-proofing is backed by a written guarantee.
Our Rodent Work
Photos from Recent Jobs
Mouse entry through gap around pipe penetration
Rodent droppings along wall in basement
Sealed pipe penetration with steel wool and caulk
Foundation gaps sealed during rodent-proofing
Case Study: Bergen County
A Tenafly homeowner had been paying an exterminator for monthly poison bait stations for three years. The mice never stopped. When we inspected, we found over 30 entry points around the foundation, utility penetrations, and garage door seal. We sealed every one, set interior traps, and had the house rodent-free within two weeks. The homeowner cancelled their exterminator contract. No poison needed.
Why No Poison
The Problem with Rodent Poison
Poison does not solve a rodent problem. It manages it, poorly, and creates new ones.
Dead rodents in walls. A poisoned mouse does not conveniently die in the bait station. It retreats to an inaccessible space and dies there. The smell lasts weeks. Removing a dead mouse from inside a wall means cutting drywall.
Secondary poisoning. Poisoned rodents are eaten by owls, hawks, foxes, and house cats. The poison passes up the food chain. This has caused significant declines in raptor populations.
Endless cycle. Poison does not seal the house. New mice replace dead ones through the same entry points. The exterminator keeps coming, keeps charging, and the problem never goes away. Sealing the house is the only permanent solution.
Common Species
Mice & Rats in the Tri-State Area
The House Mouse is the most common. Small, prolific (a female can produce 60 young per year), and capable of entering through a gap as small as 6mm. They nest in walls, cabinets, attics, and basements.
The Norway Rat is larger, heavier, and lives at ground level or below. They burrow along foundations, enter through basement gaps, and are common in older homes. They are cautious and more difficult to trap than mice.
The Roof Rat is a climber. Less common than the Norway Rat but present in the tri-state area. They enter through roofline gaps and nest in attics, similar to squirrels.
Health Risks
Contamination, Disease & Allergens
Rodent droppings and urine contaminate food storage areas, countertops, and insulation. Mice produce 50 to 75 droppings per day. Hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis are all transmitted through rodent waste.
Rodent allergens (proteins in urine, droppings, and dander) are a significant asthma trigger, especially in children. Studies show that rodent allergen levels in homes with active infestations are high enough to cause respiratory symptoms.
"Three years of monthly exterminator visits and we still had mice. TriState sealed the house in one day. No mice since. I wish I had called them first."
Laura W.
Tenafly, NJ · Bergen County
"Our exterminator used poison and we ended up with dead mice in the walls. Awful smell for weeks. TriState explained why poison was the wrong approach, used traps, and sealed the house. Problem actually solved."
Mike S.
Tarrytown, NY · Westchester County
"Rats in the basement. Terrifying. Kris found where they were getting in through a gap around the sewer line. Sealed it, set traps, checked them daily. Professional and thorough."
Amy T.
Ossining, NY · Westchester County
Common Questions
Rodent Control FAQ
Poison causes dead rodents in walls (terrible smell), secondary poisoning of pets and wildlife, and does not seal the house. New rodents replace dead ones through the same entry points. Trapping plus exclusion is the only permanent solution.
We provide a free on-site inspection before quoting. Pricing depends on the size of the home, number of entry points, and severity of the infestation. Upfront written estimates with no hidden fees.
Mice can enter through a gap as small as 6mm (about the size of a dime). Common entry points include gaps around pipe penetrations, utility lines, HVAC connections, garage door seals, and foundation cracks. We identify and seal every one.
Yes. After the initial trapping and exclusion, we offer quarterly monitoring programs. We check for new activity, inspect the seal, and address any issues before they become infestations.
If you had poison bait stations, very likely. A dead mouse in a wall creates a smell that lasts 1 to 3 weeks. We can locate and remove dead rodents from walls and other inaccessible spaces. This is exactly why we do not use poison.