Reston Rodent Control
Removing mice and rats from Reston homes for 57 years. Our 4-step plan targets rodents moving in from the lakes, forests, and Town Center restaurants.
Family Owned
57 years of experience serving local homes with pets and kids.
Lower Risk Products
Our research team picked materials better for the planet & your home
No Contracts
We don't lock you in with paperwork. Stay because it works.
Rodent Control Built for Reston Homes
Hearing scratching in the walls at night? Finding small droppings behind the kitchen cabinets? You are far from alone. Reston was designed around nature, with four lakes, 700 acres of forest, and a 50% tree canopy. That means mice and rats have plenty of habitat right next to your home. When cold weather hits, they head indoors.
Since 1968, Better Termite & Pest Control has helped Reston families get rid of rodents. We use a proven 4-step plan that includes tamper-proof bait stations, snap traps, and tri-annual visits. Every plan comes with unlimited free callbacks. We keep coming back until the problem is gone, at no extra cost to you.
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Choose the option that works best for you
Option 1: Call a Licensed Tech
Option 2: Submit Your Info to our Team
Why Reston Has Year-Round Rodent Pressure
Three things make Reston one of the more rodent-active communities in Fairfax County.
First, the lakes and stream corridors. Lake Anne, Lake Thoreau, Lake Audubon, and Lake Newport all sit within walking distance of homes. Add 20 miles of streams running through the area, and rodents have water and cover everywhere. When water levels rise, rodents get pushed out of burrows and into basements and garages.
Second, Reston's tree canopy covers roughly half the community. It is an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat. Overhanging branches let roof rats reach your attic from nearby oaks and maples. Dense vegetation along walking paths and greenbelts gives mice constant cover between wooded areas and your foundation.
Third, the housing stock. Many Reston townhomes and condos date to the 1960s-1980s. Shared walls in clusters like Hickory, Waterview, and Chimney House have pipe and wire channels that let mice move from unit to unit. Aging foundations, old caulk, and settled framing create gaps that rodents exploit. The restaurants and dumpsters at Reston Town Center and village centers like Hunters Woods and Lake Anne draw rats that then spread into nearby homes.
Signs You Have a Rodent Problem
Most Reston homeowners first notice small, dark droppings in pantries, garages, or behind appliances. You might hear scratching or scurrying in the walls or ceiling after dark. This picks up in fall and winter when dropping temperatures push mice and rats indoors. Other common signs include chewed food packaging, shredded insulation or paper used for nesting, and greasy rub marks along baseboards where rodents travel.
Rodents are more than a nuisance. They chew wiring, which is a fire hazard. They contaminate surfaces and food with droppings and urine. In Reston's older townhomes with shared walls, a mouse problem in one unit can quickly spread to neighbors through shared pipe and wire channels. One female mouse can produce up to 10 litters per year. If you spot any of these signs, call 703-683-2000 for a free inspection before the problem grows.
Our 4-Step Rodent Protocol
Our approach to rodent control in Reston follows a proven sequence. It removes the current problem and prevents rodents from returning:
- Step 1: Full 78-Point Inspection. We find entry points, food sources, and high-activity zones. In Reston, we pay close attention to foundation gaps, shared walls in townhome clusters, pipe openings in basements, and areas where landscaping meets the structure.
- Step 2: Bait Stations and Traps. We place tamper-proof bait stations around the exterior and snap traps inside. Snap traps prevent rodents from dying in walls. This matters most in Reston's cluster townhomes where shared wall cavities connect multiple units.
- Step 3: Follow-Up Visits. We return at 1 week and 3 weeks to check traps, replace bait, track activity levels, and adjust placement based on what we find.
- Step 4: Tri-Annual Maintenance. Three visits per year keep bait stations fresh and catch new activity early. This is critical for Reston homes near lakes and forest edges where rodents constantly try to move back in.
Why Store-Bought Traps Rarely Work
Many Reston homeowners try hardware store traps or bait packs before calling a professional. These might catch a mouse or two, but they rarely solve the real problem. Here is what we see when DIY falls short:
- Wrong placement: Store traps go where you see droppings, but rodents often use different travel routes. Our technicians identify the main paths and station traps there.
- Not enough traps: A Reston home backing to forest or a lake may need 8 to 12 exterior stations. Most homeowners set 2 or 3 traps and wonder why activity continues.
- No follow-through: One round of trapping catches the bold rodents. The cautious ones survive and breed. Our 1-week and 3-week follow-ups catch the rest.
- Sealing too early: Closing entry points before the population drops can trap rodents inside your walls. We time our exclusion work based on station data so we seal at the right moment.
Reston Neighborhoods We Protect
We treat homes for rodents across Reston and the surrounding Fairfax County area:
- Lake Anne & Tall Oaks (20190): Reston's oldest village. 1960s-70s townhome clusters with shared walls, flat roofs, and wood siding right on the lakefront. Mice move through shared pipe and wire channels between units.
- Hunters Woods (20191): Single-family homes and townhomes near the Walker Nature Center and 72 acres of hardwood forest. Deer mice and house mice are common here year-round.
- South Lakes (20191): Homes built in the 1980s-90s around Lake Thoreau and Lake Audubon. Waterfront lots and proximity to Reston National Golf Course create constant rodent pressure from the water's edge.
- North Point (20194): Family-friendly neighborhoods near Lake Newport with townhomes and single-family homes. Wooded common areas and walking paths give mice easy routes to your foundation.
- Reston Town Center Area (20190): Mid-rise and high-rise condos near restaurants, offices, and the Metro. Dumpsters, loading docks, and underground parking attract Norway rats that move into residential units.
- Uplands & Surrounding Areas: Bordering Lake Fairfax Park with 476 acres of woods and water. Homes here face wildlife and rodent pressure from one of the largest green spaces in Fairfax County.
Why Reston Families Choose Better Termite
Better Termite & Pest Control has served Northern Virginia since 1968. We are a third-generation family business, and some of our Reston customers have been with us for over 40 years. Here is why families in Reston keep choosing us:
- 57 years of local experience: We know the rodent pressures from Reston's lakes, forests, and village centers. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Talk to a real person: Call 703-683-2000 and speak directly with a licensed technician. No phone trees, no overseas call centers.
- Lower impact products: Our research team removed 9 of the harshest chemicals common in our industry. We use options like Essentria, Alpine, and Borate-based products.
- No binding contracts: We earn your business with results, not paperwork. Cancel anytime with 30 days notice.
- Unlimited free callbacks: If rodents show up between visits, we come back at no extra charge.
- Over 1,100 five-star reviews: Reston homeowners like Don Driscol, a customer for 40+ years, trust us to keep their homes rodent-free.
Our Process
Reston Rodent Experts
We know the rodent pressures from Lake Anne, Lake Thoreau, and Reston Town Center. 57 years in Northern Virginia means we know your neighborhood.
Rapid Response
Emergency rodent service available within one business day for most Reston addresses. Mice and rats multiply fast, so quick action prevents a small problem from becoming an infestation.
Wooded Lot Specialists
Reston has 50% tree canopy and 1,350+ acres of open space. We adjust our approach for homes backing to forests, lake edges, and the greenbelts that connect every village.
Unlimited Callbacks
Your plan includes free re-treatments until the rodent problem is fully resolved. We keep coming back at no extra charge until you are satisfied.
What Your Reston Neighbors Are Saying
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our Reston townhouse over 40 years ago... They have always provided great service. They treated a problem that we had many years ago, inspect for it regularly, and it has never recurred."
"Steve was very accommodating and patient in explaining what we're dealing with and what measures he recommended to address our rodent issue. He walked through and assessed our home thoroughly for areas of concern and walked my wife and I through the treatment plan and why he recommended the treatments."
"I've had nothing but great experiences for 3 years now. Their consistent, reliable service really stands out for me, and everyone is always kind and easy to talk to... I even had them go and take care of a mouse problem for my grandmother. Cleared out an infestation!"
"After several months of on-again off-again rodent issues inside our house, I decided to look for a new exterminator team to partner with... I called and spoke with Hussam—and he's awesome! He listened patiently to my issues and thoughtfully suggested services that fit my particular needs."
"Better Termite has been keeping our house bug free for years with regular perimeter treatments. As a small, family owned business, they are able to personalize their approach based on your needs. It's clear that they prioritize customer service and communication."
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our Reston townhouse over 40 years ago... They have always provided great service. They treated a problem that we had many years ago, inspect for it regularly, and it has never recurred."
"Steve was very accommodating and patient in explaining what we're dealing with and what measures he recommended to address our rodent issue. He walked through and assessed our home thoroughly for areas of concern and walked my wife and I through the treatment plan and why he recommended the treatments."
"I've had nothing but great experiences for 3 years now. Their consistent, reliable service really stands out for me, and everyone is always kind and easy to talk to... I even had them go and take care of a mouse problem for my grandmother. Cleared out an infestation!"
"After several months of on-again off-again rodent issues inside our house, I decided to look for a new exterminator team to partner with... I called and spoke with Hussam—and he's awesome! He listened patiently to my issues and thoughtfully suggested services that fit my particular needs."
"Better Termite has been keeping our house bug free for years with regular perimeter treatments. As a small, family owned business, they are able to personalize their approach based on your needs. It's clear that they prioritize customer service and communication."
Serving Reston & Surrounding Communities
Our team is just a short drive from Reston. Call for fast scheduling.




