My Pest Pros encourages homeowners across Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. to get ahead of rodent season with proactive prevention tips during Rodent Awareness Week.

Vienna, Va. (October 20, 2026) – Rodent Awareness Week returns October 18-24, 2026, and My Pest Pros is joining the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) in educating homeowners about the risks mice and rats can pose to health and property. Across the D.C. metro area, where single-family homes, townhomes and rowhouses sit close together, a rodent problem next door can quickly become one in your own walls. As temperatures drop, these pests seek food, water and shelter indoors, making fall an important time to protect homes and businesses from unwanted visitors.

"In a region as densely built as ours, from Fairfax and Woodbridge to Crofton and the District, mice and rats have no shortage of places to hide or ways to travel from one home to the next," said Brett Lieberman, co-owner of My Pest Pros. "A mouse can get through a gap the size of a dime, so a quick walk around your foundation, garage door and utility lines this fall can save you a lot of trouble. If you're already hearing scratching at night or finding droppings, that's the time to call a professional."

Rodents are more than a nuisance. They can contaminate food and surfaces, spread disease and trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. Their constant gnawing can also damage insulation, drywall and electrical wiring, potentially leading to costly repairs. Because mice and rats often remain hidden, an infestation may go unnoticed until homeowners find droppings, discover damage or hear unusual sounds within the home.

Watch for These Signs of Rodent Activity

  • Droppings in cabinets, pantries or other hidden areas
  • Gnaw marks on food packaging, walls, baseboards or wiring
  • Scratching or scurrying sounds inside walls or ceilings, especially at night
  • Shredded paper, fabric or insulation used as nesting material
  • Greasy rub marks along walls or baseboards where rodents frequently travel

Help Prevent Rodent Problems

Homeowners can reduce the likelihood of an infestation by:

  • Sealing cracks, gaps and holes around the home's exterior, including where pipes and utility lines enter
  • Repairing damaged screens and weather stripping
  • Storing food in sealed containers
  • Cleaning up crumbs and spills promptly
  • Keeping trash and recycling bins tightly closed
  • Reducing clutter in garages, attics and storage areas
  • Keeping vegetation trimmed away from the home and storing firewood off the ground

Identifying and addressing an infestation isn't something homeowners should handle alone. Qualified pest control professionals can determine how mice or rats are entering a structure, locate nesting areas and develop an effective plan to address the problem.

For more information about rodent prevention or to schedule an inspection, visit mypestpros.com or call 703-665-4455.