Identifying Rodent Entry Points In Your Home

Rodent Entry Points:

There are many types of rodents you’ll encounter in and around your Florida home, with the most common being roof rats, norway rats, squirrels, and mice. While most of these pests will use the same entry points, sometimes these areas can be difficult to get to and will require what is known as a rodent exclusion. A properly performed rodent exclusion is the most effective way to prevent and eliminate rodent infestations in your home or business.

Most common entry points:

There are many common entry points for rodents. These entry point should be sealed to prevent rodents from enteting your home.

1. A/C lines or chase: This area is used by all rodents here in Florida. It offers some of the easiest access to inside your home or attic, especially the A/C chase. More often than not, this area is only foamed near the opening, and all rodents can chew through foam like butter.
2. Holes in the soffit: Electrical and plumbing lines that exit or enter through the soffit allow easy access to your attic. Rodents can easily chew through soft metal such as soffit.
3. Garage: Rodents, especially roof rats, can easily chew out the weather-stripping on the underside of your garage door. Another issue is leaving the garage door open for an extended period of time. Rodents will happily wander in if given the opportunity.
4. Crawl spaces: Exterior electrical lines, plumbing lines, foundation vents, and miscellaneous holes all offer easy access to your crawl space. Once inside the crawl space, rodents essentially have the run of your home.
5. Small holes: Small holes around the exterior of your home offer easy access points to your home, especially for mice. These areas can be around your electrical boxes, water spigots, and A/C.

What Should I Do If I Find A Rodent Entry Point?

If you suspect you have a rodent entry point, it’s always advised to reach out to your local rodent exclusion professional. Identifying these areas is one thing, but rodent-proofing them using the proper materials usually requires the work of a specialist. These areas are typically hard to reach and are usually not accessible to the average homeowner unless you have the correct tools and materials. 

Can’t I Just Seal It Up Myself?

While you can try, it’s highly recommended that you don’t. Having a proffesional perform an effective rodent exclusion is your best bet. When homeowners attempt to seal up these areas, most of the time it doesn’t work for the following reasons:

• Improper Selection of Materials: Most homeowners think that foam and steel wool is enough to keep rodents out of their homes, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Rodents, and rats especially, will chew right through the foam to gain access to your home. Steel wool will also rust and disintegrate over time. Proper material selection that holds up to the Florida heat and rain is essential for long-term prevention.
• Incorrect Entry Point: While it’s possible you may have chosen one of the correct entry points, there is almost always more than one. A proper rodent inspection is crucial when it comes to identifying all of the entry points and getting them sealed up in a timely manner.
• Using Natural Repellents: Instead of actually trying to seal up entry points, a majority of homeowners will deploy natural repellents in the hope that it will solve their rodent problem. Unfortunately, there is no hard evidence to suggest that any of these products work. Most of them use essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, and clove. These products do not hold up to the elements and will never be enough to deter a rodent from trying to enter your home or attic.

Why is it important to seal rodent entry points?

If you have rats or mice in your home, it’s crucial to seal any potential mouse entry points. Not only do rodents carry diseases, they can do some costly damage to your wiring and home. Contact us at Rodent Solutions for professional rodent exclusion services, we will give you peace of mind with our work.

Dealing with rodents can be a tricky situation. If left untreated, they can cause significant cosmetic and structural damage to your home. It’s best to reach out to your local pest control specialist at the first sign of a rodent problem. Each rodent here in the Sarasota and Manatee County area will require a different treatment plan according to their entry points. A rodent control specialist will be able to identify these key areas and formulate a plan based on your current situation.