If there’s one thing that will stop any Elk Grove homeowner in their tracks, it’s a rodent infestation in their home. Unlike most guests, rodents won’t ask for an invitation, and their only housewarming gifts are disease and destruction. But if they aren’t using the front door, how are rodents getting into your home?
Here’s what Elk Grove homeowners should know about the top rodent-entry points, what to do if you spot an entry-point, how you can patch up a rodent entry-point, and how pest control in Elk Grove can help you get rid of these entrances.
Top Rodent Entry Points
How do Elk Grove rodents get inside? Some of the most common rodent-entry points in your home include:
- Vents: If you’ve got dryer vents, roof vents, or other open vents that provide you with air circulation, the slots are often big enough for most adult rodents, like rats and mice, to climb through.
- Cracks and crevices: You may not realize it, but your home could have cracks and crevices around your foundation. If these gaps have holes that are the size of a pen or a dime, they’re wide enough for rodents to squeeze through.
- Metal flashing: Metal flashing is often used on the exterior of homes to get rid of gaps and prevent water from getting inside. Over time, the flashing could be damaged by weather, wind, or other elements, and it’s possible for rodents to use these spaces to get inside.
- Garage doors: If they can’t use gaps or crevices around your home, rodents may just use your garage door. Most garage doors are not airtight, and there could be gaps on either side of the door or even just a poor seal that provides rodents with an entrance.
- Roofing: Many common rodents, like roof rats, are adept at climbing. It’s not uncommon for these pests to climb through the chimney or slip past broken or worn shingles.
Rodents like mice and rats can fit through surprisingly small entrances. If a gap is large enough to notice on close inspection, it is probably large enough to be used as an entry point.
What To Do If You Spot An Entry Point
Now that you know where rodent entry points might be, what should you do if you spot one of these entry points? Try following these steps:
- Check for other possible rodent entry points
- Look for other signs of rodent activity, like noises in the walls, rodent droppings, smudge marks, or runways
- Call in the professionals to get rid of entry points for you and provide treatments to eliminate rodents
It is far easier to prevent a rodent infestation than to eliminate one. If you spot a potential entry point – act quickly. Remediating the risk is far easier than dealing with the repercussions of having rodents in your home.
How To Patch A Rodent Entry Point
You can patch rodent entry points yourself, and here’s a quick guide on how to do so:
- Fill the hole or gap with a rodent-proof material like steel wool.
- Make sure you avoid using materials like vinyl, wood, or plastic to patch the hole since domestic rodents can chew through these materials.
- Use caulk, expanding foam, or another sealant to hold the steel wool in place, and make sure rodents don’t remove it from the hole.
- If the entry point is a large hole, you can supplement steel wool for metal sheeting, lath metal, cement, or hardware cloth.
- Call a pest management professional to deal with the existing infestation that’s still in your home.
Remember that dealing with the entry point is only half the battle. If mice or rats have made their way into your home, call Neighborly Pest Management to safely eliminate the infestation.
Rodent Entry Point Elimination Service By Neighborly Pest Management
Not only can we eliminate rodent infestations that are inside your home, but we can also get rid of any and all entry points that these pests may be using. If your home has weaknesses that rodents may try to exploit, we’ll find them and get rid of them.
If you suspect that you’ve got rodent entry points or even an infestation, don’t wait any longer. Contact us today at Neighborly Pest Management to learn more about how our rodent entry point elimination service can help you keep your Elk Grove home permanently rodent-free.