Your Home Office Has Become a Five-Star Hotel for Uninvited Rodent Guests

The shift to remote work has transformed millions of homes into makeshift offices, but there’s an unexpected consequence that many homeowners didn’t see coming: a dramatic increase in rodent encounters, with reports showing more than 41% rise in rat and mouse incidents during the pandemic. As professionals settled into their new work-from-home routines, they inadvertently created the perfect environment for unwanted four-legged tenants.

Why Home Offices Are Rodent Magnets

Rats and mice come into buildings looking for the three things they need to survive—food, shelter, and warmth. People often eat or snack at their desks, leaving crumbs behind that these critters will scout out and feed on. Your home office, with its combination of food sources, quiet spaces, and warm electronics, has become an all-you-can-eat buffet with luxury accommodations.

Rodent lifestyle patterns are changing, with rats becoming more visible in populated areas. The pandemic disrupted their usual food sources from restaurants and office buildings, forcing them to seek new territories—like your converted spare bedroom office.

The Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your Workspace

Beyond the obvious “ick factor,” rodents in your home office pose serious health and safety risks. Rodents are known to carry many diseases, including Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is fatal in about 36% of cases. Rodents are capable of spreading diseases, like hantavirus and rat bite fever, that can be very harmful to humans. Infection is usually caused by the dust created when droppings, urine, or nesting materials are disturbed.

The risks extend beyond health concerns. When mice or rats chew on cords and cables they can cause damage to the infrastructure, disable electrical systems and computers, and introduce fire hazard risks. Your expensive home office equipment—from computers to charging cables—becomes expensive chew toys for these persistent pests.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Early detection is crucial for effective pest management. Rodent droppings, which are typically small and dark and usually found in areas with food, like the breakroom. Gnaw marks on cables, wiring, or boxes are telltale signs of a possible rodent infestation. You might also notice sounds of running from overhead or inside walls indicate rodents nesting in dropped ceilings, walls, or duct systems.

The most obvious sign of a rodent problem is if someone sees a mouse or rat lying dead or scurrying across the floor. Where there’s one rodent, many more are usually hiding somewhere in the building.

Prevention: Your First Line of Defense

Preventing rodent infestations is far easier than eliminating them once they’ve established residence. Keep all areas clean, with no food, dirty utensils, or tableware left for rodents to find. Take out the trash at the end of the day, even if the bags aren’t full. If you must snack at your desk, store snacks in air-tight containers to seal off food odors.

Physical barriers are equally important. Rodents can enter through an opening about ½” or larger in diameter, so sealing gaps around your home office is essential. This includes areas where cables enter walls and any cracks or holes in the foundation.

When to Call the Professionals

While prevention is ideal, sometimes professional intervention becomes necessary. Getting rid of mice and rats doesn’t happen overnight. The environment must be kept very clean, and all rodent entry points need to be sealed. This is where professional rodent control services become invaluable.

For residents in Franklin, Vernon, and nearby Sussex County, NJ communities, Prestige Pest Unit & House Wash treats your home with respect and gets rid of your pest or rodent problem right the first time around, with a 100% guarantee. The team works hard to provide pest control services that truly make a difference for homeowners, using advanced techniques and tested strategies to address a variety of pests, delivering long-term results with reliable, eco-friendly pest control options.

The New Reality of Remote Work

As remote work continues to reshape how we live and work, more than 1 in 4 paid workdays in the U.S. were done from home in 2024, up from just 1 in 14 from pre-pandemic days. This trend shows no signs of slowing, making rodent-proofing your home office not just a temporary concern, but a long-term necessity.

The remote work revolution brought many benefits—no commute, flexible schedules, and better work-life balance. However, it also created new challenges that extend beyond video call fatigue and ergonomic desk setups. By taking proactive steps to prevent rodent infestations and knowing when to call professionals, you can ensure your home office remains a productive, healthy workspace rather than an unwitting rodent resort.

Remember, “Sanitation is pest control—without food they will control their own numbers”. Keep your workspace clean, seal entry points, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help when needed. Your productivity—and your peace of mind—depends on it.