Whether your home was built yesterday or 100 years ago, mice always seem to find a way in. Not only is this annoying for homeowners, but mice can spread diseases and cause damage to your space.
If you’re looking for ways to keep mice out for good, you’re in the right place. Plunkett’s Pest Control provides efficient pest control services to ensure your house is mouse-free. Joe Thebert, Plunkett’s Pest Control technician, shares his expertise on how mice get in your house and how our team keeps them out.
We Start By Examining Rodent Entry Points
Mice don’t need very much space to squeeze into a structure. In fact, if a pen can fit, so can a mouse! This is why we start our process by locating all possible entry points. Once we find them, we plug openings with copper mesh. For a more permanent seal, we use spray foam or exterior adhesive over the copper mesh.
Can Mice Eat Through Spray Foam?
Technically, yes. Although they can chew through spray foam, they usually don’t because it doesn’t taste very good or provide nutritional value. Plus, by adding the spray foam over the metal mesh, they can't chew all the way through.
Can Mice Climb Well?
Yes, mice are great climbers. Their small and agile bodies and strong claws allow them to grip virtually any surface. For example, mice are known to climb the downspout of a gutter. There are also a few types of siding that mice can easily climb including wood, stucco, and brick—basically any material mice can grip with their claws, they can climb. This opens up entry point opportunities for these pests.
What Are Some Common Mouse Entry Points?
1. Soffits
The most common entry point for mice is the gap found between the bricks and soffit.
2. The Garage
The garage door sweep is an extremely common rodent entry point. If the rubber looks like it has pieces missing or has been gnawed on, chances are, mice have found their way through.Another thing to pay attention to is the weather stripping along the garage door trim. Many times, mice will chew out the lower portion of the weather stripping, allowing them to enter the garage.
3. Air Conditioning
There is often gapping, cracks, or holes where the air conditioner lines enter the siding. This can act as a runway for mice to get inside.
4. Siding
A lot of times you might find houses where some siding has come loose from storm damage or simply separates over time. These gaps are perfect doorways for mice.
“I pay attention to areas where mouse droppings have been present, they’ve [customers] recently seen a mouse, there’s been evidence of mice,” Thebert explains. “Whether it’s in your kitchen, or an unfinished part of your basement. A lot of times what I’ll do is set out traps and different rodent control measures to help catch and trap the mice that have gotten inside.”
What Do I Do If Mice Are Already in My House?
If you suspect that you already have a mouse infestation in your home, it’s important to get in touch with professional mouse exterminators as soon as possible. A mouse infestation can grow very quickly (we’re talking 200 mice in just a few months). If you notice signs of a mouse infestation like tiny footprints, missing snacks, a musky odor, scratching noises in the walls, mouse droppings, and nesting materials, get in touch with Plunkett’s right away.
Found a Mouse in Your House? We’re Here to Help.
If you’ve got pests on your property, contact us today! An expert technician, like Joe Thebert, can take care of any steps necessary to ensure your home stays pest-free. Give us a call at 866-906-1780 to get started.
What Do I Do If Mice Are Already in My House?
If you suspect that you already have a mouse infestation in your home, it’s important to get in touch with professional mouse exterminators as soon as possible. A mouse infestation can grow very quickly (we’re talking 200 mice in just a few months).
If you notice signs of a mouse infestation like tiny footprints, missing snacks, a musky odor, scratching noises in the walls, mouse droppings, and nesting materials, get in touch with Plunkett’s right away.
Found a Mouse in Your House? We’re Here to Help.
If you’ve got pests on your property, contact us today! An expert technician, like Joe Thebert, can take care of any steps necessary to ensure your home stays pest-free. Give us a call at 866-906-1780 to get started.
