5 Ways Rodents Typically Enter a Home

Rodent infestations in homes are a common occurrence. They are not only a nuisance but also a cause of significant property damage. Rodents have a knack for gnawing and burrowing. This can lead to severe structural harm to your property.

When rodents move into your home, seeking professional help is crucial. With the help of a pest control service in Springville, AL, you can get rid of rodents. Professionals will identify where rodents are entering your home and seal them up.

Here are some common ways rodents enter homes.

Gaps and Cracks in Walls and Foundations

Small openings in the walls or foundations of your home can provide easy access for rodents. Rodents like mice and rats have flexible bodies and can squeeze through spaces much smaller than their size. A hole as small as a quarter inch can be an entry point for a mouse, while a half-inch hole is large enough for a rat.

These gaps and cracks can be found in older homes due to wear and tear or in newer homes due to poor construction or settling. It is essential to regularly inspect your home's exterior for any signs of these openings, paying close attention to areas where utilities and pipes enter the structure. A pest control service in Springville, AL, can help you find and seal these openings.

Ventilation Systems

Ventilation systems, such as air vents and ducts, provide another common rodent entry point. These systems often have large openings that rodents can easily exploit to gain access to the warmth and shelter of your home. Additionally, vents and ducts can provide direct access between the outdoors and the interior of your home.

Inspecting all ventilation systems regularly for any signs of rodents is important. Contacting a pest control service is crucial if you find evidence of a rodent infestation.

Unsealed Windows and Doors

Improperly sealed windows and doors create entry points for rodents. These gaps may seem insignificant to homeowners, but it's an open invitation for a rodent. Often, worn-out weather stripping, old caulking, or damaged thresholds can form gaps around windows and doors, providing ample space for rats and mice. Sealing up these openings will be much easier with professional help.

Roof Openings

Damaged shingles, chimneys, or other roof openings can be gateways for rats, mice, and other rodents to enter your home. Rodents are adept climbers and can navigate their way up walls to access roofs. Once there, they can squeeze through broken or damaged shingles and vents or down an uncapped chimney.

Plumbing and Drainage Systems

Plumbing pipes provide a direct route into your home, and any small openings around these pipes are all that a mouse or rat needs to gain access. Drainage systems, too, are not exempt from this.

Rodents can climb straight up through sewer pipes and emerge from toilets or sinks. Ensuring that drain traps function correctly and no gaps around your plumbing fixtures are essential in rodent-proofing your home.

Hire Our Pest Control Service in Springville, AL!

Are you having a hard time keeping rodents out of your home? If so, you must hire our pest control service in Springville, AL!