Mice! This one word alone can send home dwellers into a frenzied panic at any point in the day. Whether it is the site 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 making hanging out less appealing, but you don’t have to let them. The key to staying mouse free this winter is keeping an eye on the following 20 ways mice love to infiltrate your fortress.
1. 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.
2. 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!
3. Through plumbing – improper plumbing installation or old plumbing may allow access to the clever intruders.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Around vents – vent covers should fit snugly into their seat. Even a 1/4 “ gap may permit entry.
7. Roof line – often overlooked, small gaps along the route 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 fury foes.
8. Cable/Wiring entry points – often times technicians installing cable lines, phone lines, satellite feeds, etc.; will not properly seal the entry point, or the seal will wear/break down.
9. A/C unit entry point – Over time weathering and/or rodent chewing on the insulation around the A/C piping will leave unwanted gaps.
10. 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.
11. Loose foundation blocks – as homes settle and age, some foundation blocks may end up just loose enough to act as a tight squeeze doorway.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Foundation Cracks – cracks in the foundation itself from shifting and crumbling can open pathways just wide enough for mice.
15. 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.
16. Window gaps – if window frames or seats wear out or were simply not installed properly, they can provide open pathways to the wall voids.
17. Drain outlets – if not properly sealed and covered, drain outlets can provide a direct highway to the interior of the home.
18. Chimneys – from the chimney cap to the attachment of the chimney neck and base, chimneys are notorious culprits.
19. Deck Attachments – decks are great at concealing rodent activity and entry. They provide shelter and often times 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.
20. Trojan Horse – furniture or other items stored in sheds or garages that provide hiding places or insulation may end up being a home to a mouse who simply gets carried inside.
Once you find one entry point, don’t give up there. Make sure you work through the entire list to avoid future frustration. It is always best to make the proper repairs where needed, but non corrosive mesh materials may be used to temporarily block access while arrangements are made to complete the repair properly.
At any point in the process, Rove Rodent Specialists are standing by to aid in the entry-point inspection, the rodent removal, and the exclusion work. Years of experience and detailed training give Rove 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!