Rodent Control in Tempe

Roof rats made it to Tempe within a few years of the Arcadia outbreak. A 2010 State Press report noted sightings in Tempe going back to 2004, with residents told to work with their neighbors and get rid of citrus and other food. A lot of Tempe still has the old trees and older homes they like.

North Tempe near Arizona State, including Maple-Ash and Mitchell Park, has the oldest houses, alleys and a lot of rental turnover. South Tempe was built later, with ranch homes, pools and big backyard citrus. Both halves get calls, just for slightly different reasons.

Rentals near ASU and the August move-in

Rental houses can go a long time between repairs. Torn vent screens, broken garage seals and boxes stacked in the storage room give mice and rats room to settle. Student moves in August and May leave furniture and boxes piled by the curb and in garages, and an empty house between tenants goes quiet fast. Landlords and property managers can have the tech check every vent and seal during turnover, before the next tenant moves in.

Rentals near campus bring a lot of mouse removal calls, and owners with several units can ask about rodent service for rental properties. If you rent, tell your landlord first, since sealing and repairs usually fall on the owner. Either of you can call. Students in the Maple-Ash area who hear something in the ceiling should write down when and where, so the owner and the tech aren't guessing.

• Check vents and garage seals between tenants
• Keep trash bins closed and away from the house
• Get stored boxes off the garage floor

Town Lake, Papago and south Tempe pools

Tempe is flat and built out, with the Salt River and Tempe Town Lake through the north end and the Papago Buttes at the top of the city. Town Lake, Papago Park and Kiwanis Park put water and open space close to houses, and the canals and the river bed give rodents long, quiet routes between neighborhoods. Add backyard pools and citrus in south Tempe and roof rats have everything they need.

Roof rats in fruit trees and attics are the top call citywide, so roof rat trapping is usually where it starts. The yard steps for citrus and palms help a lot, and the citrus and roof rat guide explains why the fruit matters so much. Mesa to the east has the same old citrus yards, and Ahwatukee across the I-10 adds pack rats to the mix.

Around Tempe: Tempe Town Lake · Papago Park · Maple-Ash neighborhood · Mitchell Park · Kiwanis Park · Mill Ave. and University Dr. (ZIP 85281, 85282, 85283, 85284)

Also serving Arcadia, Ahwatukee Foothills, North Central & Sunnyslope, Encanto & Willo, Maryvale, Paradise Valley Village & Desert Ridge, Scottsdale, Glendale, Mesa.