How Do Mice Get Into Your Home

When you call a pest control company in Toronto, one of the top questions you may ask is “do you close mouse entry points?” More often than not you may hear “We close the obvious holes on the ground” then you may be wondering if that is enough to solve your mouse infestation problem. If you’ve gotten that far in your train of thought then you wouldn’t be surprised when you learn that your instincts were right. So why then are you being told that companies will close obvious holes?

One reason we can think of, is that they have just given up arguing with the customers who want to stop mice completely. The second reason might be to just close your business. Obvious holes on the ground are few, and may help certain areas of the home if they are indeed the problem entry point. And that may be enough for your business. Once you learn how many entry points mice take to enter your home, you may have a second opinion.

Why It’s Difficult To Stop Mice

Mice have always been present throughout human history in every human habited environment. From the beginning to the medieval ages and all the way to the modern age from hospitals, restaurants, homes, businesses and more right here in Toronto. A mouse’s ability to squeeze into the tiniest openings have contributed largely to their survival into the modern age. Learn more about mice in our mice control page.

Below are a list of locations that mice use to get into structures from homes to businesses.

Foundation

Mice burrow into the ground, this feat enables them to locate and fit into cracks and crevices within the foundation of structures, such as your home. Generally these locations are hidden to the human eye and won’t be found without excavation.

Wall Breathers (Weeping Holes)

Most homes, especially those with exterior bricks have small breathers or weeping holes. Breathers are holes inside the grout of bricks or other walls that allow air to seep into the wall. Air circulation happens easily within the wall from the exchange of air through the breathers and out of the soffit holes. Breathers eliminate condensation and mold inside walls by creating air flow. Mice use breathers to enter walls and gain entry into homes, floors, attics and every other accessible voids.

Blocking breathers will help reduce mice entry points, but in turn will create other health problems such as mold within your home’s walls. You may however use steel wool to block these areas while also allowing air flow, even if restricted.

Soffit Gaps

The gaps between the soffit and the sidewall make for a primary entry point for Mice. As excellent climbers and jumpers bundled with their small size, they quickly reach their goal by easily approaching and squeezing into tiny gaps which lead into the attic. From there they breed prolifically and take over the attic and wall voids moving their way into any accessible part of the home (I.e Kitchen cabinets).

Most homes are built with gaps between the side wall and the soffit which normally runs the entire perimeter of the home. So you can imagine how difficult of a task it would be to properly seal these areas completely. In order to stop mice completely, you would need a 100% gap closure with the proper materials that mice can’t chew.

Roof Vent & Pipe Covers

Few roof vents come as rodent proof or resistant. Most are either plastic and chewable or aluminum with a screening which is also chewable or flimsy. Some mice gain entry into the attic by squeezing through the top of the inner plastic webbing or netting while the rest chew their way in. Although it’s unclear how often this route is used, mice fur has been found on the edges of the webbing by the squeezing points. Roof pipes can also allow access to mice, if the plastic covering isn’t secured tightly. Sometimes the plastic covering becomes wavy or lifts up with time, giving free access to mice into the attic.

Vents and pipes are also vulnerability points for raccoons and squirrels.

Garage gate

Garage gates are tricky, sometimes the smallest imperfection can lead to mice problems inside the garage which then extend to the home itself. Gates must have a seal or be flat to the ground when shut. When standing inside your garage there should be no outside light coming in. Usually light can be seen from the sides of the gate or bottom points near the edges.

Each garage gate has a plastic edging to seal the natural gap between the garage frame and the gate. Mice tend to chew these edges when there is no other natural gap available. This will allow them to squeeze right through the gate’s edges into the garage. Leaving your compost bin close to the garage gate can increase the occurrence of this problem.

When mice are inside the garage, they will begin to take over the area in a short amount of time. In many scenarios when mice are inside the garage, they will eventually find holes and gaps that lead into the main house. From there, mice start to occupy the wall space which could lead into the attic, between floors and basements.

Roof-line Gap

One of the easiest entry routes into the attic is roof-line gaps. Roof-line gaps commonly exist in most homes and they are often wide enough for mice. Roof-line gaps are also a large contributor to squirrel and raccoon break-ins.

 Pro’s And Con’s Of Mice Proofing

If you have made up your mind to invest in closing holes and gaps of your home, here’s some pro’s and con’s of doing so.

Pro’s

• Reduced mouse entry into the home.
• Less rodent control costs over the years.
• Can keep out other wildlife such as bats.

Con’s

• Expensive.
• You lose more than half the work when you have to change your roof.
• No guarantee to be 100% mice free.
• Can restrict air flow of a home if done improperly (health hazard).
• Mice are likely to find other ways into the home (foundation, missed spots).
• Rodent Control Program may still be needed yearly.

Conclusion

Addressing all and every mouse entry point is crucial for mice proofing your property (not just obvious holes on the ground). The work involves nearly every exterior attachment of a home with materials like fine grade steel meshing, steel wool and caulking. For that sort of project you will be looking at high costs within or above $5-$15k to properly seal these areas without impeding their function. The price will depend on the size of the property, size of the gaps which will ultimately effect the amount of work needed.

Keep in mind that ultimately you may still need a pest control program to exterminate mice at some point into the future, even having spent a fortune on closing holes and gaps.

Remember, when you have to change your roof you lose most of the mice proofing work (roof-line, vents, pipes).

From all other 100% guarantee types of preventative work such as home proofing, deck proofing, porch proofing etc. mice proofing just doesn’t make sense for longevity, effectivity or financially. Although fixing a garage seal, or using steel wool on a sizeable weeping hole is helpful in reducing severe problems. Your economically best choice is to battle mice using regular control methods by a professional company. Following up with treatments will solve any rodent infestation you may have. Rodent pest control is the economically safe and proven way to fight mice. A regular rodent control program will cost you less yearly, if maintained.