How to Prevent Mice from Entering My Home

You’ve heard pest control experts say to seal off all entry points to prevent mice. But what does that really mean? Where should I be looking for entry points in my home? How do I seal these openings ? And how do I continuously ensure my home is protected from mice? Well, let’s get started:

Mouse entry point checklist:

The first step in preventing mice from coming in your house is to make a list of all the areas in which they can get in. Remember, mice can fit into areas as small as the width of a pencil (1/4 inch), so don’t discredit tiny cracks. We’d actually recommend carrying a pencil with you when making your list to check entry points. Here’s what to look for when inspecting your home and garage:

• Gaps between the window glass and the window frame – and don’t forget to check the basement windows.
• Holes between walls and ceilings/floors – take a close look in closets with exterior walls, too.
• Unsealed drainage pipes and gaps around the pipes.
• Cracks in your home’s foundation – even as small as ¼ inch.
• Spaces between the floor and exterior doors.
• Holes in the roof – be sure to check the attic!
• Gaps in siding.
• Holes in doors and window screens.
• Cover exterior vents with galvanized wire mesh (ie: dryer vent)

Keep in mind, it’s easy to miss some of these areas that a trained professional is more likely to catch. If you’d like assistance searching for potential entry points, contact your Terminix Wil-Kil technician to schedule an exclusion inspection!

How to seal entry points:

Sealing entry points sounds easy, until you realize what it all entails. Assuming you have found every single nook and cranny to seal, here’s what you’ll need:

• For small holes, fill with steel wool and caulk the area around it.
• For larger areas, you may choose to use larger materials such as cement or sheet metal to seal these openings.
• To prevent mice from coming through exterior vents, we recommend purchasing galvanized wire mesh.

The most important thing to remember is to inspect your home annually for any entrance points. Rodents are creative and determined. If they want to enter your home, they’ll try anything!

The least expensive rodent problem is one that never happened. The sooner you can prevent mice problems, the better off you’ll be. If there’s no room left on your honey-do list, Terminix Wil-Kil provides expert rodent exclusion techniques ideal for any home. This service includes:

• Thorough inspection of your entire property, including garage and attic.
• A list of recommended follow-up actions and cost estimate of actual exclusion process.

Make an appointment with your local Terminix Wil-Kil technician and say “Good-bye” to rodent problems.