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How to Keep Rodents Out of Your House

Mice and rats can wreak havoc once inside your house. That’s right. They can chew on cables, bring diseases, eat pet food, and leave their droppings everywhere. Considering their small size, rodents can get into homes through tiny holes, including openings left for utility lines. These vermin come into houses looking for food and warmth, especially during the winter. How do you keep rodents out of your house?

Most homeowners look for ways to remove rats from the house. That said, despite many effective rodent control strategies, these pesky creatures keep returning to the house. Have you considered blocking their entry points?

Let’s discuss some practical tips on how to keep rodents out of your house by doing just that.

1. Identify the Entry Points

In most cases, you’ll discover rat infestations after rodents enter your house. You may not have any idea how they got in. Identifying the entry points is crucial if you want to keep rodents out of your house. So, get into the crawl spaces of your house and look for potential entry points.

Mice can enter your house through small holes that you might not even notice. Inspect your home thoroughly, including the foundation, walls, windows, doors, and roof, for any gaps, cracks, or holes. Pay attention to areas where utility pipes and cables enter your home, as rodents can use them as entry points.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a mouse can fit in a space of ¼ inch in diameter. Therefore, don’t look only for larger holes, check the smaller ones too.

2. Use Caulk and Sealant

Once you have identified any potential openings, the next step is to seal them. Block small holes with steel wool because rats can’t chew the material. Then apply silicon caulk to secure the wool in place. Silicone caulk is an excellent option for sealing small openings, as it is flexible and durable.

For larger gaps, you can use foam sealant, wire mesh, cement, hardware cloth, or metal sheets.

3. Install Door Sweeps

Rodents can enter your home through gaps at the bottom of doors. Install door sweeps to seal these gaps and prevent rodents from entering. Door sweeps are available in various materials, including rubber, vinyl, and metal. Choose a material that suits your door and is durable enough to withstand wear and tear.

4. Cover Vents and Chimneys

Vents and chimneys are another common entry point for rodents. Install mesh screens or covers over your vents and chimneys to keep rodents out. Not only will vent covers allow air to flow freely, but they will also prevent mice from entering your home.

5. Keep the Garage Door Closed

One-way rats can gain access to the main house is through the garage. Besides sealing any holes between the house and the garage, aim at keeping the garage door closed. Once rats infest the garage, getting into the house is much easier.

6. Weatherstripping

As time passes, the wood in a door can warp. Also, the door can shift position due to mechanical problems or wood contraction. That can leave tiny gaps through which baby rats can enter your home. In such cases, you can use weatherstripping to seal openings around doors and windows.

This method involves adding a sealant to the edge of the door or window to prevent air and moisture from getting in. People use it to keep their houses warm during the winter. But it can also help to mouse-proof your home. You can use materials like foam, felt, and rubber, to weatherstrip your house.

Final Thoughts on How to Keep Rodents Out of Your House

Rats and mice can get into a house from many places, provided they find a small hole where they can fit. Therefore, look for potential entry points in your house and seal them. Additionally, keep the area around your house clean and lock your food in cabinets to avoid attracting these pests. Another thing, cut overhanging tree branches that rodents can use to access the roof.

These strategies can help reduce the chances of a rodent infestation, but they won’t get rid of rats within your house. Also, sometimes you’ll need to keep the door and windows open for some fresh air. That can make it challenging to keep your house rodent proof. In such cases, it’s better to call a pest control specialist to remove rodents from your home.

McDonald Pest Control has experienced professionals who can help eliminate rodents from your home. We can inspect your house to identify potential entry points, seal them, and provide effective treatment for existing rodent infestations.

Contact us today for professional pest control services.