How to Rodent-Proof Your Home This Fall
As the colder months approach, the risk of increased rodent activity becomes a concern. Viking's Anticimex SMART data indicates that rats and mice pose a year-round threat, making late summer and early fall an optimal time for fundamental exclusion and rodent-proofing around your home or business. When combined with professional pest control from Viking, these measures can prevent rodents from overwintering and creating infestations.
It's essential to be aware that mice can fit through holes as small as a dime, and rats through holes as small as a quarter. Take a thorough look around your property for potential entry points, including HVAC unit lines, utility/cable TV holes, gaps at the bottom of doors, dryer vents, and structural and foundation cracks.
Act now before rodents jeopardize your health and home.
Call Viking at 800-618-2847!
Tips for Keeping Mice and Rats Out of Your Home
- Remove items around your home that provide harborage areas for mice, such as firewood piles, stored patio furniture, and kids' toys.
- Trim back plants and trees that touch or overhang the structure.
- Inspect the bottom of entry doors, especially garage doors, and replace them if damaged or worn.
- Inspect all utility penetrations through the exterior walls of the structure, such as electrical, gas, or air conditioner lines. Seal openings with suitable materials like steel wool or copper mesh—avoid using expanding foam as rodents can chew through it.
- Check all window and vent screens for holes and gaps and repair as needed, including crawlspace vents.
- Examine siding for gaps, especially at corners, and seal as needed with suitable materials.
- Seal any gaps or openings around the home larger than the size of a dime.
Materials to Keep Rodents Out
Ensure effective rodent-proofing with these essential tools and materials:
- Medium-grade or better steel wool
- Copper mesh
- 1/4-inch thick wire mesh screens
- All-weather caulk sealant
- Door sweeps/weather stripping
- Crawl space vent covers
Use the following tools to enhance your rodent-proofing efforts:
- Wire cutters
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Utility knife
- Power drill
- Caulk gun
Call 800-618-2847 today for a pest-free home!
Fixing Rodent Entry Points
- Seal gaps around utility lines and HVAC lines with copper mesh. Ball the metal into a piece large enough to seal the entry point and stuff it in using a screwdriver.
- Fix gaps under doors by installing a weather strip or door sweep. Adjust until no light shines through—if a pen or pencil can fit through, continue making adjustments.
- Prevent dryer vents from becoming entry points by ensuring the flaps seal properly. Clear vents of lint and install a metal vent screen or rodent-proof vent per the manufacturer’s instructions. Seal cracks with steel wool and cover with caulk.
- Seal foundational and structural cracks and openings with 1/4-inch thick galvanized steel wire mesh. DIY enthusiasts, get ready for measuring, cutting, and power drilling.
- Reinstall vent covers for openings like crawlspace vents.
The SMART Solution: Innovative Pest Control Technology
Viking’s Anticimex SMART technology is an eco-friendly, 24/7 wireless pest control solution. SMART devices communicate and report back to headquarters, guiding our pest control professionals to high mouse-pressure areas.
With Anticimex SMART technology, you won't need to worry about mice in your home or garage. Viking identifies issues before you do!
A successful SMART service involves inspection, monitoring, and pest-proofing, with rodent proofing playing a crucial role. SMART Devices actively provide 24/7 data trends, allowing Viking to know, not guess, about rodent activity. For proactive pest control, choose Anticimex SMART technology from Viking.
