If you have rodents in attic spaces, you could run into all sorts of problems as a result. These pests spread disease, damage homes, and even reduce property values.

Unfortunately, rodent proofing your home can be harder than you might think. That said, understanding how to identify and seal entry points in your attic walls (and other parts of your home) is a great place to start.

Where Can You Find Rodent Entry Points?

Rodents have a knack for getting into small spaces. The CDC has stated mice can squeeze through holes that are just a quarter-inch wide – equivalent to the width of a pencil.

Because of that, you can’t afford to ignore even the smallest gaps in your attic and other parts of your home. Here’s how you can seal:

Baseboard/Wall Cracks

You can seal smaller holes in your walls and baseboards with caulk. If you have any larger holes, steel wool and waterproof sealant should do the trick.

Holes in Your Roof

When your roof has even a single small hole, rodents will be able to use it to access your attic. Use a waterproof sealant to close any holes you find in this part of your home.

Ducts and Air Vents

Any gaps and holes around your HVAC system’s vents need to be properly sealed to protect your home from rodents. Meanwhile, it’s wise to cover your vents with metal screening.

Open Chimneys

If your home has a chimney, pests might use it as an access point if you haven’t covered it. Installing a chimney cap or grate will prevent this from happening.

How to Tell if Rodents Are Using an Entry Point

When rodents are using a hole to get into and out of your home, you may notice:

  • Bite marks/scratches. If a hole is surrounded by scratches and bite marks, it’s almost certainly being used by rodents as an entrance.
  • Tracks. Though rodent footprints are normally hard to see, you may be able to spot them in dusty areas.
  • Grease marks. Have you noticed several unexplained grease marks in a specific spot? If so, there’s a good chance you’ll find a rodent entry point nearby.

Tips on Sealing Rodent Holes

When you’re working to rodent-proof your home, be sure to:

  • Use the right materials. Not every sealing method is the best choice for every situation. Caulking works great when you need to seal wall cracks, but you’ll get better results with weatherstripping while sealing the gaps under your doors.
  • Seal every hole you find. Even if rodents aren’t using a specific hole to enter and leave your home right now, they could start using it in the future.
  • Not stop at sealing your house. If you have outbuildings or garages on your property, take time to seal these structures, too.

Get Help With Your Rodent Proofing Efforts

If you’re concerned about rodents in attic spaces (or any other part of your home), you don’t need to take care of rodent proofing by yourself. Instead, let the experts tackle this job for you – that way, you’ll get even better results at highly competitive rates. When you want dependable rodent proofing and humane rodent removal, reach out to Attic Projects!