How Mice Can Sneak Into Your Home
Posted on: 27 July 2018
Having an infestation of mice in your home is definitely bad news. They're destructive, unhygienic and, for some people, frightening little creatures that can quickly take up residence and increase their numbers.
Because mice are naturally nocturnal, many people believe that keeping doors and windows closed at night is enough to keep them out. Unfortunately, it's still quite common to find they've made their way into your home, which can be puzzling when you can't see how they managed it.
The fact is that mice are very small animals, and they can squeeze through surprisingly tiny gaps even compared to their size. These are some of the ways they often enter homes and cause an infestation.
Gaps around doors and windows
Even with your doors and windows closed, there could be enough room for a mouse to get inside. Since they only need about 1/4 inch to gain access, poorly fitted doors and windows or those with missing rubber seals are sometimes all they need.
Make sure all of your doors and windows are fitted properly, in good condition and that they close firmly when you want them to.
Along pipes, air vents and wiring
Some of your plumbing pipes may lead outside or there could be cracks and holes in the walls that are big enough for mice to get into. Channels for electrical wiring and air vents are also useful little mouse highways.
Check carefully for damage to your walls, and install grilles wherever possible over air vents to stop mice in their tracks. It's easy to miss some of the potential entrances, however, so getting a professional inspection is often the best option.
Cracks and gaps in the roof
Mice can get onto the roof via tree branches and nearby structures, but they're also pretty good at climbing walls when there's no other way for them to get up there. Once on the roof, there are often small gaps mice are able to squeeze through where they can get into your attic.
If you have a chimney, it's yet another way mice can enter your home, and it's a difficult one to deal with because you can't close it off if you use your fireplace. In this instance, it's best to use other preventative measures and deterrents.
Up through the foundations
Building foundations provide another ground-based way for mice to get indoors, and there are often cracks and holes that are hidden and go unnoticed.
If you get someone to inspect your home for pest problems, they should take your foundations into account and have a look for you.
Reach out to a pest control service for more information and direction.
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