Nobody wants to deal with mice or rats leaving droppings in all their cabinets, getting into their food products, or scurrying around in their attic late at night. If that’s the case, why do so many homeowners in our area have a rodent problem? Unfortunately, avoiding rodent problems isn’t as simple as just wishing them away. As long as your home has gaps, cracks, or holes in its exterior to function as rodent entry points, you will continue to experience issues with rodents, even if you have traps set up indoors.
While keeping rodents out of your home on your own can be difficult, it doesn’t have to be when you partner with The Bay Area pest control experts at Bay Pest Solutions! Our experts have developed a comprehensive rodent exclusion guide to help you avoid rodent problems this season.
Top Rodent Entry Points
Now that you know the role that these entry points play in aiding rodent infestations, you may be left wondering what entry points you should be on the lookout for and how to identify them. We can help with that!
Here are some of the most common rodent entry points to look for when checking for signs of rodent activity or factors contributing to rodent problems and what they may look like:
- The most obvious entry point for rodents is any holes in your home that are larger than a dime. These holes may have gnaw marks around them from rodents chewing at the wood, plastic, or other material to make the hole large enough to squeeze through.
- Another commonly exploited entry point is cracks, loose mortar, or weather stripping around your foundation or basement windows.
- Rodents will take advantage of gaps around windows, doors, or utilities such as pipes, wiring, or utility lines greater than 1/4 inch in size.
- Windows with damaged or missing screens and doors with door sweeps that aren’t functioning property will also provide rodents with a way into your home.
- Mice and rats can also climb up downspouts to gain access to your roof, where they may find entry points you may not have noticed.
If you need help finding the entry points rodents use to enter your home,
reach out to Bay Pest Solutions today.
What To Do If You Spot An Entry Point
You’ve spotted a rodent entry point; what’s next? The best next step after noticing an entry point is to seal it right away to prevent any future rodent problems, either on your own or with the help of a professional. However, if there is a vulnerability in your home’s exterior that rodents could have taken advantage of, it’s possible that they already have. If that’s the case, it’s best to call in a pest control company specializing in rodent control and prevention to ensure your problem is completely resolved and won’t return.
How To Patch A Rodent Entry Point
There are several methods you can use to patch up rodent entry points. They include using a combination of steel wool and caulk or spray foam to patch small holes, filling larger gaps using hardware cloth, lath screen or cloth, cement, or metal sheeting, and lastly, installing new screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps where needed. However, the easiest way to seal entry points is to call Bay Pest. We can fill these entry points for you!
We also offer rodent exclusion services for The Bay Area to take all the hassle out of sealing rodent entry points. During this service, we will go around the outside of your home, filling any entry points greater than 1/4 inch with construction-grade materials. We will also place snap traps and install one-way doors to make sure any rodents inside have a way out and, more importantly, no way back inside. After two weeks, we will remove the one-way door and check the traps. As part of our rodent exclusion process, we will also sanitize and deodorize your home—the benefits of this service are endless!
If you have a rodent infestation, we will set traps and check them every two weeks until your rodent problem is completely gone. We will also clean up any rodent droppings in your home and remove/replace insulation for an additional charge. We will also provide outdoor bait boxes if you sign up for recurring services.
Rodent Entry Point Elimination Service By Bay Pest
Rodents are much easier to prevent than to get rid of once they’ve settled into your home; the key to effective rodent control in The Bay Area is being proactive rather than reactive. By investing in rodent control and exclusion services from Bay Pest, you ensure that your home will stay rodent-free!
To schedule a free inspection for your home, reach out to Bay Pest Solutions today.