As temperatures begin to change in September, rodents may start looking for reliable sources of food, water, and shelter. For homeowners in Modesto and throughout the Central Valley, this is a good time to take a closer look at the exterior of the home.
One of the biggest misconceptions about rodents is that they need a large opening to get inside. They don’t.
A Small Opening Can Be a Big Problem
Rodents are surprisingly good at squeezing through small spaces. A hole approximately the size of a quarter may be enough to give a rat access to your home, while mice may be able to enter through even smaller openings.
Common Rodent Entry Points Around Your Home
When inspecting a home for potential rodent access, some of the most important areas to check include:
- Rooflines and eaves: Gaps around roof edges, fascia boards, soffits, and eaves can provide access to attic areas.
- Roof vents: Damaged, loose, or improperly screened vents can create an opening into the attic.
- Plumbing and utility penetrations: Gaps around pipes, electrical lines, air-conditioning lines, and other utilities entering the structure are common areas to inspect.
- Garage doors: Worn weather stripping or gaps at the bottom and corners of garage doors may provide enough space for rodents to enter.
- Exterior doors: Damaged door sweeps or doors that don’t seal properly should be corrected.
- Foundation and crawl-space vents: Raised-foundation homes should be checked for damaged screens, missing vent covers, or openings around the foundation.
- Damaged siding or stucco: Cracks, deterioration, and construction gaps can create potential access points.
- Areas where additions meet the original structure:Patio covers, enclosed additions, attached garages, and roof transitions can sometimes leave hidden gaps.
- Openings around the roof: Tile roofs and other roofing systems can have areas that rodents may exploit when proper barriers are damaged or missing.
Don’t Forget About Trees and Shrubs
An entry point doesn’t necessarily have to be close to the ground.
Tree branches touching or hanging close to the roof can provide rodents with a pathway to upper portions of the home. Dense shrubs growing directly against the structure can also provide cover and make it easier for rodent activity to go unnoticed.
Why Finding Entry Points Matters
