At night I can hear a hard working animal of some kind, with a healthy chomp and making a noise to wake us up. The noise seems to be between the two floors. Front of house and back of house. Wandering.

I tried a couple of rat traps from Home Depot but nothing has been caught.

Might be time for a professional.

Live here in Southern California ,

I did catch a long tail, Rat/Mouse thingy outside, and then I made sure all my vents were secure.

Also have a half dozen holes in the backyard from a gopher.

Any ideas on how to rid?, Professional?

I’d go with a professional. It will cost more , but they know how to eliminate the issue and will keep him from coming back in the same route. If they get in another way, gotta pay. I’ve dealt with critter removal companies. Gotta day, peace of mind that its being done right, and I don’t have to deal with it.

Professional totally worth it , especially if they have a maintenance plan. Had some mice in the house one winter, called the professionals, problem solved quickly. Later on doing some cleaning, it was apparent they were around much more than what I had heard.

Called first place, he would use those standard traps, wooden, etc... and come and check them every week for 4 weeks, then each week would cost $50. Start cost $450.00

Uses peanut butter.

Sounds like something anyone could do. Nothing special about his conversation on phone.

Will check house for any places they can get in.

Then place plenty of those original wooden traps with just a touch of peanut butter. , but if it doesn't work, will be calling for a 2nd opinion.

Somehow I thought this guy might be running his business out of his house, as per the address, and from what he said he would do, it definitely requires a 2nd option.