This is the time of year that we get the most calls for mouse sightings. Some mice even get as bold as to venture into your home during the day! Sometimes the point of entry is obvious, such as a cellar door or broken basement window, but other times it can be unnoticeable. We’ve previously identified that mice can gain entry to your home through a hole as small as a dime. In this blog, we’ll cover some of the surprising entry points of your home and how to prevent them from getting that access.
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A mouse got in your house? Here’s how.
The way mice gain entry to your home can be sneaky. Here are just a few of the ways:
Utility intake
There are multiple entry points to your home that are unavoidable. Some have existed from the home build date, such as water and sewer. These pipe openings can erode over time, leaving room for rodents to squeeze in. Others, such as internet cables or phones, are drilled through the siding and walls of your home and can be done haphazardly. If the installer fails to properly seal the opening, it can be exposed to the elements—including field mice!
Foundation Wear and Tear
All things wear with time and your home’s foundation is no exception. Rodents can squeeze through small gaps and shifting earth can cause stress fractures that leave openings to your basement. The older your home, the likelier a crack can form.
The Attic? But how?
Like many homes in New England, trees can frequent your property. A surprising way that a rodent can enter your home is through the attics! They climb the base of the tree and make their way across branches that overhang your roof. Even if you frequently scan your home’s property, it’s difficult to see holes, openings, and gaps in the roof from the ground.
Keep your home rodent-free
There are some things you can do right now to keep mice from entering your home that doesn’t require calling a pro:
Seal it up
There are two types of gap-fillers we recommend, and they do different things. Firstly, silicone-based caulk for long foundation cracks and smaller openings. For larger gaps, such as between foundation concrete blocks, copper wire mesh that properly fills the opening is useful.
Tree-trimming
If you have trees on your property, it’s a good practice to trim limbs off-away from your home. Obviously, this protects you from bad weather sending a branch through your roof or window, but it also removes a highway for rodents.
Regular Home Maintenance
We always recommend doing regular checks of your home, especially the foundation. This is how homeowners can spot where aging has caused wear and tear that can be exploited by rodents. Keeping your foundation and siding in good repair is the best way to keep rodents at bay.
Additional Reading:
End rodent house parties. Our team at Graduate Pest Solutions specializes in prevention. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and service necessary to help keep your home and workplace pest-free!
