Winter Tips For Sealing Your Home To Prevent Mice From Getting Inside
Posted on: 7 February 2019
Though your cat might like having mice in the house to play with, the humans in the house might not enjoy the little furry critters quite so much. Especially during the cold winter months, mice and other rodents invade human living spaces in search of easy food, water, and warmth to raise their young. And, since they can sneak in through very small holes, it is nearly impossible to keep them out of your house.
However, it is important to seal your home to prevent mice from getting in because they carry diseases and parasites and are a real nuisance.
To properly seal your home, follow these winter rodent control tips:
Tip: Caulk Foundation Cracks
Though mice are adept jumpers and climbers, they prefer to get into your home in the easiest way possible. For this reason, one of the most common places they find access is along your home's foundation. Even small cracks will let mice crawl through.
To seal up foundation cracks, fill them with silicone caulking. If the cracks are too wide, stuff some steel wool into the crack first and use the caulking to glue it in place.
Tip: Inspect and Seal Other Household Intrusion Points
Other common entry points for mice include:
- around siding j-channel
- around utility wire access points
- around pipe penetrations
- under cabinets
- through brick weep holes
Check each of these places, and if you find any gaps, then seal them with caulking and steel wool. If appropriate, you can also seal gaps with expandable spray foam.
Tip: Don't Forget to Seal Around the Perimeter of Your Roof
If a mouse can't find an entrance into your home, they are perfectly capable of climbing up your chimney or rain gutter system and getting in through a ridge vent or a gap around the chimney. If you seal the rest of your home and the mice are still getting in, check around the roof and seal any gaps.
Tip: Call In a Pest Control Company If Necessary
In conclusion, it's important you understand that mice and other rodents spend most of their day chewing and gathering food. Since they leave behind diseased waste products in your kitchen and can burn down your home if they chew through the wrong electrical wire, it's vital you keep them out of your home. If you are unable to do so, then you absolutely must call in a professional pest control company to get the job done.
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