Rodent proofing your home

Rodent-proofing your home is all about blocking entry, removing attractants, and making your space uncomfortable for mice and rats. Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide you can actually use.

1) Seal all entry points (most important)

Rodents can squeeze through holes as small as a dime (mice).

What to do

Inspect foundations, siding, vents, roofline, and where pipes/wires enter

Seal gaps with:

Steel wool + caulk (excellent for small holes)

Hardware cloth (¼ inch mesh) for larger openings

Cement or rodent seal with metal for cracks in masonry

Install door sweeps on exterior doors (no daylight underneath)

Repair damaged screens and cover vents with metal mesh

Avoid: plain foam or wood alone — rodents chew through them.

2) Eliminate food sources

If there’s no food, rodents won’t stay.

Inside

Store pantry items in airtight glass or metal containers

Don’t leave pet food out overnight

Wipe counters nightly; vacuum crumbs

Outside

Secure bins

Don’t feed birds near the house (spilled seed attracts rodents)

Pick up fallen fruit and spilled grill food

3) Remove nesting and hiding spots

Inside

Declutter garages, and attics

Store items in plastic bins, not cardboard

Outside

Keep firewood at least 20 feet from the house

Trim shrubs and branches away from walls and roof

Remove tall grass, leaf piles, and debris near foundations

4) Make your home hostile to rodents

Deterrents & control

Place snap traps along walls and behind appliances (perpendicular to walls)

Peppermint oil (cotton balls near entry points) can help slightly

Ultrasonic repellents: mixed results — don’t rely on them alone

Tip: If you already have rodents, trap first, then seal. Sealing them inside causes worse problems.

5) Watch for early warning signs

Droppings (rice-sized = mice, larger = rats)

Scratching noises in walls or ceilings at night

Gnaw marks on food packaging or wood

Grease marks along baseboards

6) When to call a professional

Call pest control if:

You see rodents during the daytime

There’s nesting in walls or insulation

DIY trapping hasn’t reduced activity in 1–2 weeks