I don't think we should lump all rodents together. Squirrels, for instance, can reasonably be kept out of our houses and buildings, especially out of the living areas. Even if one finds a way into an attic or crawlspace that you forgot to squirrel proof, it is going to be going out to forage, and so hawks, cats, dogs, and cars keep the population down.

Urban squirrels for the most part live beside us, where as rats and mice live with us, and so the later are much more likely to need to be managed.