Silver Bullet Pest ControlMice Control-Rat Exterminator and pest control Paterson NJ
Scratching in the ceiling, droppings under the sink, a rat running along the back fence? Silver Bullet Pest Control traps mice and rats in Paterson homes, multi-family houses and storefronts, then seals the gaps they're using so they stop coming back. We're based next door in Garfield.
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Text us a photo of the droppings — we'll tell you if it's mice or rats.
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Who handles mice and rat control in Paterson, NJ?
Silver Bullet Pest Control handles mice and rat control in Paterson: we're a licensed NJ exterminator (License 90568B) based a few minutes away in Garfield. We find out whether you have mice or rats, trap or bait them, and seal the holes they use to get in. Mouse and rodent service includes 90 days of coverage with unlimited free service calls. Call or text 973-510-2585.
Why mice and rats are such a common problem in Paterson
Paterson is the county seat of Passaic County and one of the country's earliest planned industrial cities, built around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. That history shows up in its housing — and in its rodent problems.
- Older buildings. A lot of Paterson's homes are decades or more than a century old: two- and three-family houses, brick buildings and wood-frame homes with stone or block foundations. Settling foundations, old pipe openings and worn door frames leave plenty of gaps.
- Close quarters. Homes sit close together, many on narrow lots, with shared driveways and fences. When one house has rats in the yard, the neighbors often do too.
- Busy commercial streets. Corridors full of restaurants, groceries and shops mean more food and more garbage, which feeds rats.
- The river. The Passaic River curves around much of the city. Riverbanks, overgrown lots and storm drains give Norway rats places to burrow and travel.
None of that means a rodent problem is your fault. It means that in Paterson, trapping alone usually isn't enough — the building has to be sealed too.
Mice or rats? How to tell what's in your Paterson home
The treatment is different, so this is the first thing we figure out.
| House mouse | Norway rat | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small and slim, about the length of your finger without the tail | Heavy-bodied, can be over a foot long with the tail |
| Droppings | Rice-sized with pointed ends, scattered | Larger, about the size of a raisin or bigger, often in groups |
| Where they live | Inside walls, ceilings, cabinets and appliances | Burrows in yards, under slabs and sheds, in sewers; come inside to feed |
| Gap they fit through | An opening about the width of a pencil | An opening about the size of a quarter |
| Sounds | Light scratching and scurrying in walls and ceilings at night | Heavier thumping or gnawing, often in basements |
| How we handle it | Snap traps and tamper-resistant bait inside, then seal small gaps | Locked bait stations outside, traps inside, seal larger holes and burrows |
Still not sure? Text a photo of the droppings to 973-510-2585, or read mice vs. rats and signs of mice and rats in your house.
Where mice and rats get into Paterson homes
In older North Jersey houses, these are the spots we check first.
Pipes, Gas Lines & Meters
- Gaps around gas, water and sewer pipes entering the foundation
- Openings behind the boiler and water heater
- Old, crumbling mortar in stone foundations
Utility lines are the highways of an old house. Mice follow pipes up through the floors and into kitchens and bathrooms. We seal these gaps with steel mesh and sealant that rodents can't chew through.
Garage Doors & Back Entrances
- Worn or missing rubber at the bottom of the garage door
- Gaps at the corners of doors and thresholds
- Holes chewed through the bottom of side doors
Detached garages and back doors on Paterson lots see a lot of rodent traffic. A worn door sweep can leave a gap big enough for a mouse or even a young rat.
Inside Walls, Ceilings & Attics
- Scratching above drop ceilings or between floors
- Shredded paper, insulation or fabric in hidden corners
- Gaps where the roof meets the wall, and around vents
Mice nest in quiet, warm spaces close to food. In multi-family homes they move between units through the walls and floors, so we look above and below the unit you're in.
Our Paterson mice and rat service, step by step
Call or text
Tell us what you're hearing or seeing and send a photo if you can. We'll tell you the soonest opening.
Inspection
We check the basement, kitchen, garage, attic access and the outside of the building to find activity and entry points.
Trap and bait
Traps inside and, where rats are involved, locked bait stations outside — placed away from kids and pets.
Seal the gaps
We close the openings rodents are using with steel mesh, sealant and door sweeps.
Follow up
We come back to check traps and activity. Your service includes 90 days of coverage with unlimited free service calls.
Rats outside: yards, alleys and garbage areas
Burrows
Norway rats dig burrows along foundations, under sheds, concrete slabs and thick plants. Fresh dirt and smooth holes are a giveaway.
Garbage
Overflowing cans, bags left on the ground and cans without lids are the biggest draw. Tight lids and regular pickup help more than anything.
Bird feeders & pet food
Seed under feeders and pet food left outside feed rats every night. Clean up spills and bring bowls in.
Clutter & overgrowth
Woodpiles, junk, tall weeds and dense ivy against the house give rats cover. Clear a strip along the foundation.
For restaurants and food businesses, see restaurant rodent proofing in Paterson.
Mice and rats in Paterson multi-family homes
A lot of Paterson calls come from two- and three-family houses and small apartment buildings. In those buildings, rodents don't respect property lines inside the walls. Treating one apartment while the basement and the unit next door are untouched usually brings the mice right back.
For owners and landlords: the best results come from treating the building as one job — basement, common areas, trash area and each unit with activity — and sealing the entry points at the foundation. We keep notes on what we found and did, so you have a record.
For tenants: tell your landlord in writing as soon as you see droppings or hear rodents, and keep food in sealed containers. Who is responsible for pest control in a rental depends on the type of building, the lease and local rules, which can change. Check with Paterson's code enforcement office or the NJ Department of Community Affairs if you're unsure. Our landlord and tenant guide has more.
Planning a demolition? Many New Jersey towns ask for a rodent extermination certificate from a licensed exterminator before a demolition permit is issued. See pre-demolition rodent extermination and confirm with the building department what they need.
Coverage you get with our rodent service
We don't set a few traps and disappear. Here's what stands behind the work:
- 90 days of coverage on mice and rodent service, with unlimited free service calls during that time. If you see new activity, call us back.
- Our One-Time Mouse Service is 100% guaranteed.
- A 100% satisfaction guarantee on regular service.
- Over 15 years of experience and NJ Pesticide License 90568B.
Skip the plug-in sound devices — they don't solve an established problem. Here's why: do ultrasonic pest repellers work?
More rodent help in Paterson and nearby
Get Help With Mice or Rats in Paterson
Tell us the address, the type of building and what you're seeing. Call or text and we'll tell you the soonest opening.
Why Paterson residents call us
- Droppings in the kitchen, basement or garage
- Scratching in the walls or ceiling at night
- Rats burrowing in the yard or near the garbage
- Mice moving between units in a multi-family house
- A storefront or restaurant that needs rodent control
Request Service
🔒 Your info stays private · Hablamos español.
Paterson Mice & Rat Control FAQ
Do you do mice and rat control in Paterson, NJ?
Yes. We're based in Garfield, a short drive away, and handle mice and rats in Paterson homes, multi-family buildings and businesses.
How do I know if I have mice or rats?
Mouse droppings are small like grains of rice; rat droppings are much bigger. Rats usually live outside in burrows and come in to feed, while mice nest inside walls and ceilings.
How do mice get into older Paterson homes?
Mostly through gaps around pipes and gas lines, cracks in old foundations, worn door sweeps and openings where the roof meets the walls. A mouse can squeeze through a gap about the width of a pencil.
How long does it take to get rid of mice?
It depends on how many there are and how many entry points the building has. Most homes see a big drop within the first couple of weeks once traps are set and gaps are sealed.
Is your rodent service guaranteed?
Our One-Time Mouse Service is 100% guaranteed, and mice and rodent service includes 90 days of coverage with unlimited free service calls.
Is rat bait safe around my kids and pets?
We use locked, tamper-resistant bait stations placed where children and pets can't reach the bait, and traps inside where bait isn't appropriate.
Will mice come back after treatment?
They can if the entry points stay open, which is why we seal gaps with steel mesh and sealant as part of the job.
Who pays for rodent control in a Paterson rental?
It depends on the building type, the lease and local rules, which can change. Check with Paterson's code enforcement office or the NJ Department of Community Affairs.
Do you handle rats at restaurants and stores in Paterson?
Yes. We provide rodent control and rodent proofing for restaurants, groceries and other businesses.
Are you licensed?
Yes. Silver Bullet Pest Control holds NJ Pesticide License 90568B and has over 15 years of experience.
How soon can you come out?
Call or text 973-510-2585 and we'll tell you the soonest opening in Paterson.
¿Tienen exterminador de ratones y ratas en Paterson?
Sí. Hablamos español y atendemos casas y negocios en Paterson. Llame o mande texto al 973-510-2585.
Rodent control in Paterson and nearby towns
From our Garfield base we cover Paterson and the surrounding towns in Passaic and Bergen counties.
Updated October 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B