Keep the Mice Out: Winter Rodent Proofing
By Service Rank USA Team
As the temperature drops, mice and rats look for two things: warmth and food. Your house offers both. Once they establish a nest in your attic or walls, they reproduce rapidly and chew through electrical wires, posing a fire hazard.
The Rule of the Dime
A mouse can squeeze its skull through a hole the size of a dime (approx ¼ inch). Identifying and sealing these entry points is called "Exclusion," and it is the only permanent solution.
Common Entry Points
- Garage Door Seals: If you can see light under the corners of your garage door, a mouse can get in. Replace the rubber weatherstripping.
- Utility Pipes: Check where AC lines, gas pipes, and cable wires enter your siding. Caulk these gaps aggressively.
- Vents: Ensure your attic and crawl space vents have screens that haven't been chewed through.
How to Seal Effectively
Do not just use expanding foam; rodents can chew right through it. Use Steel Wool or copper mesh. Stuff the hole with the steel wool first, and then seal it in place with caulk or foam. The metal hurts their teeth and stops them from burrowing.
Attic Maintenance
Rodents ruin insulation by urinating on it. If you suspect an infestation, check your insulation for tunneling and small black droppings. Contaminated insulation must be removed and replaced by a pro in "Tyvek" suits to avoid Hantavirus exposure.