How mice get in, and how to keep them out
Mice only need a small gap, and cold weather pushes them to look for warm, quiet places. Keeping them out is mostly about the openings.
Common entry points
- Gaps around pipes and cables where they pass through walls.
- Gaps at the garage door seal and the base of exterior doors.
- Damaged vents, soffits and openings where the roofline meets the wall.
- Cracks in the foundation and holes left after previous repairs.
What you can do yourself
- Seal small gaps with materials mice cannot chew through, such as steel wool packed in tightly and sealed over, or metal mesh.
- Replace worn door sweeps and weatherstripping.
- Keep firewood, bird feed and garbage away from the house.
- Keep food in sealed containers and pet food put away overnight.
Why treatment alone is not enough
Bait stations reduce the mice that are inside now. If the entry points stay open, new mice can arrive. That is why we report on the entry points we find on every rodent job, and why rodent proofing is a separate service quoted after an inspection.
See rodent proofing & exclusion
Keep reading
General information for homeowners. Every home is different; your technician will confirm what applies to yours.
Let's make them gone.