Mice! This one word alone can send home dwellers into a frenzied panic at any point in the day. Whether it is the sight of the mouse itself zipping across the kitchen floor, a split-second flash of fur in a cupboard, or trails of droppings, any knowledge of a rodent intrusion may be (and should be) unnerving. Mice love to join us in our cozy warm homes this time of year as temperatures drop and the outdoors become less appealing, but you don't have to let them. Effective mouse prevention starts with understanding how they get in. The key to staying mouse free this winter is keeping an eye on the following 20 ways mice love to infiltrate your fortress and pairing that with proactive rodent control around your home.
Open doors - Surprisingly enough, mice will simply lie in wait in dark corners for an unsuspecting person hauling in a load of groceries to prop the door open for that extra second.
Worn out weather stripping on doors - Changing temperatures can change how doors sit in the frame and also cause wear and tear on the seals around doors; don't forget the garage door. Replacing worn stripping is a simple mouse prevention step that also improves energy efficiency.
Through plumbing - Improper plumbing installation or old plumbing may allow access to clever intruders.
Along plumbing - As foundations settle, the home may move slightly differently than the plumbing, leaving just enough of a gap for a mouse to squeeze in. Inspecting and sealing these gaps is a key part of long-term rodent control.
Through vents - Air contaminants such as dirt and lint that are being ejected from the house can catch in vent escapes and build up, prohibiting the vent from closing properly. A partially open vent cover permits a mouse to enter and chew through vent channels.
Around vents - Vent covers should fit snugly into their seat. Even a 1/4" gap may permit entry.
Roof line - Often overlooked, small gaps along the roof line can provide the starting point for a mouse to figure out entry into the home. With gutter downspouts and wall texturing, roofs are not inaccessible to our furry foes.
Cable/Wiring entry points - Often, technicians installing cable lines, phone lines, satellite feeds, and more will not properly seal the entry point, or the seal will wear and break down over time.
A/C unit entry point - Over time, weathering and/or rodent chewing on the insulation around the A/C piping will leave unwanted gaps.
Underneath/behind siding - Over time, siding may warp, get bumped, or simply pull away from the house, leaving a sheltered space for mice to work through and create more complete entries.
Loose foundation blocks - As homes settle and age, some foundation blocks may end up just loose enough to act as a tight squeeze doorway.
Cracked stucco - Cracks in the stucco can expand and allow a grip point for rodents to tug the entry point until it is large enough for entry.
Loose siding - If a piece of siding is not properly snapped into place, it can provide a rodent pathway, especially if it is a corner cap piece.
Foundation cracks - Cracks in the foundation itself from shifting and crumbling can open pathways just wide enough for mice.
Crawl space - Among the large void nature, item storage, and the tendency for entry covers to warp due to differences in temperature and humidity, crawl spaces should be inspected regularly as part of your seasonal mouse prevention checklist.
Window gaps - If window frames or seats wear out or were simply not installed properly, they can provide open pathways to the wall voids.
Drain outlets - If not properly sealed and covered, drain outlets can provide a direct highway to the interior of the home and undermine your other rodent control efforts.
Chimneys - From the chimney cap to the attachment of the chimney neck and base, chimneys are notorious culprits.
Deck attachments - Decks are great at concealing rodent activity and entry. They provide shelter and often food collections from fallen bits of deck picnics. Over time, deck attachment points may shift, or mice may simply chew entry points near or around them.
Trojan horse items - Furniture or other items stored in sheds or garages that provide hiding places or insulation may end up being a home to a mouse that simply gets carried inside.
Once you find one entry point, don't stop there. Effective mouse prevention means thinking like a mouse and working through the entire list to avoid future frustration. It is always best to make the proper repairs where needed, but noncorrosive mesh materials may be used to temporarily block access while arrangements are made to complete the repair properly. Pairing these physical fixes with professional rodent control can dramatically reduce the chances of future infestations.
At any point in the process, the Greenix Pest Nerds are standing by to aid in the entry-point inspection, and rodent removal. Years of experience and detailed training give Greenix technicians the advantage over the most clever of mouse families. Call today to find out how we may assist you in keeping your rodents where they should be - away - and to learn more about long-term mouse prevention and rodent control options for your home.
