How to Seal Your Home to Prevent Rodents
Protecting your home from rodents starts with sealing up gaps and maintaining cleanliness inside and out. Follow these steps to keep your property rodent-free.
Step 1: Identify Gaps and Holes
Rodents can squeeze through incredibly small spaces, so inspecting your home thoroughly is key. Did you know a mouse can fit through a hole as small as ¼ inch (about the width of a pencil)?
Where to Look Indoors:
- Behind kitchen cabinets and appliances
- Around windows, doors, and the fireplace
- Under sinks, washing machines, and water heaters
- Around pipes, vents, and utility lines
- In attics, basements, and crawl spaces
- Along floor and wall junctions
Where to Look Outdoors:
- The roof, especially around rafters, gables, and soffits
- Windows and doors without proper weather stripping
- Around attic vents and crawl space openings
- Holes for plumbing, gas, electrical, or cable lines
- The foundation where it meets the ground
Take action now—grab a flashlight and inspect your home for gaps today. If you spot any holes, you’re ready for step two!
Step 2: Seal Gaps and Holes
Sealing up your home is your first line of defense against rodents. Here’s how:
For Small Holes:
- Fill with steel wool and secure it with caulk or spray foam.
For Larger Gaps:
- Use lath screen, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting to cover the space.
- For gaps around pipes, cut the material to fit snugly.
- Fix trailer skirting and use flashing around your home’s base.
Don’t Forget:
- Seal garages and outbuildings, too!
Start sealing today! Need help? Contact a pest control professional like On Demand Pest Control to ensure your home is protected from top to bottom.
Step 3: Remove Food and Water Sources Indoors
Rodents are attracted to easy access to food and water. Eliminating these sources inside your home makes it far less appealing to them.
- Store food in thick plastic, metal, or glass containers with tight lids.
- Clean up spills and wash dishes immediately.
- Remove pet food and water bowls overnight.
- Use durable garbage containers with tight lids and clean them regularly.
Act now—a cleaner home is a rodent-free home. Take a moment to secure your food storage and trash bins!
Step 4: Clean Up and Secure Your Yard
Your yard could be inviting rodents without you even realizing it. Here’s how to keep them away:
- Trash: Use sturdy plastic or metal garbage cans with no holes and tight lids.
- Grills and Cooking Areas: Keep them clean and grease-free.
- Composting: Keep bins at least 100 feet away from your home.
- Bird Feeders: Place them far from your house and use squirrel guards.
- Animal Feed: Store in durable containers with tight lids.
- Woodpiles and Vehicles: Move them at least 100 feet from your house. Raise woodpiles at least one foot off the ground.
- Landscaping: Keep grass and shrubs well-trimmed within 100 feet of your home.
Don’t wait—secure your outdoor spaces today! A little effort now can save you from big rodent problems later.
Protect Your Home Today
Preventing rodents is all about proactive steps. Follow these tips to seal up your home, and you’ll enjoy a cleaner, safer space.
Need professional help? Contact us today for expert pest control services and take the guesswork out of rodent prevention. We’re here to help keep your home rodent-free year-round!
