Why Do Rats and Mice Enter Homes During Winter? 7 Entry Points You Should Check for Effective Rodent Control

When it gets cold out there, both rats and mice are searching for a warm place to stay, some form of sustenance, and a safe haven. Rats and mice do not hibernate. Your house has those things for them, and so it should come as no surprise that there will likely be more rats and mice in your house in the winter than at other times of the year. Knowing why rats and mice are doing what they are doing and where they might be entering your house is the first part of controlling them.

Most homeowners find themselves calling a pest control company when they see how fast a little rodent problem can turn into a big one. Outside, there isn't much to eat. The cold temperature causes rats and mice to use more energy than usual. And, predators still hunt them. Your warm house, complete with crumbs, dog food, insulation, and quiet areas, is very appealing to rats and mice. If rats and mice get inside, they can reproduce very quickly if you let them. That's why taking action early on with rodent control measures and hiring a professional pest control service is the best way to handle a rodent issue.

How Small an Opening Can Mice and Rats Get Through?A mouse can fit through a crack that is about the same size as a dime (approx. 1/4 inch). A rat only requires a space that is as large as a quarter (approx. 1/2 inch). Once the head of the rodent is able to pass through the crack, the rest of the body will typically follow. In addition, rodents will gnaw at cracks to increase their size so that what may have been a small opening initially could become a viable entry point for rodents in the future.

7 Most Common Entry Points Mice and Rats Use During the Winter Months

Foundation cracks and gaps where the foundation meets siding

The age of a home, its settling, and the number of times it has frozen then thawed will cause cracks or holes to appear near the bottom edge of the foundation. Cracks and holes formed in this manner provide two of the most common ways for mice and Norway rats to enter a home.

Gaps around utility penetrations

Rodents are attracted to warm air released through unsealed areas created by pipe, cable, electrical line, gas line and HVAC connections.

Under exterior doors and garage doors

Mice can find their way into your home through worn-out door sweeps, damaged weather-stripping, and unaligned thresholds. Your garage door is also a potential problem area.

Vents (dryer vents, attic vents, soffit vents, and crawl-space vents)

Mice and roof rats can use damaged screens or missing flaps to enter. Mice and roof rats also prefer elevated vents for access.

Roofline, eaves, soffits, fascia, and chimneys

Gaps at the junction of the roof and wall provide high-level entry points. Damaged fascia, un-screened vents, and uncapped chimneys also offer elevated access. In addition, trees and utility lines are frequently used as "bridges."

Windows, siding gaps, and weep holes

Worn seals, loose siding and unprotected weep holes in brick walls create additional access points.

Other overlooked openings

Rodents may enter your home through other means such as pet doors, broken screens, the opening of outside water faucets, or through the area where a hole was made to fix something previously.

Professional Pest Control and Rodent Control Services Have Importance in Winter

Sealing entryways is a good initial step, however, sealing off the entryways will usually not be enough when rodents have already entered your home. Professional pest control companies that focus on rodent control provide both exclusion services and customized treatments to eliminate pests. Professional technicians have the ability to find entry points most homeowners do not see and provide treatments which are both safer and more effective than traditional consumer products.

Many people use professional pest control services during the winter months because they understand that treating problems early prevents them from escalating. One mouse or one rat can lead to many more if the environment is suitable. Utilizing timely rodent control will reduce the potential of damage to insulating materials, electrical wiring, and stored goods, as well as possible health issues related to rodent droppings and contamination.

Practical Prevention Advice for Improved Rodent Control

Examine the outside of your house thoroughly to find holes or cracks. Close these holes using rodent-proof materials like steel wool, copper mesh, and high-quality caulking material.

Install or replace door sweeps and ensure garage door seals sit flush.

You should screen all vents using 1/4 inch hardware cloth, and also trim back any tree limbs that are growing over your roof.

Store all food, including pet food, in sealed containers, and clean up after yourself immediately.

Reduce outdoor clutter, woodpiles, and dense vegetation against the foundation.

If you hear a scratching sound coming from inside the walls of your home, find droppings, notice any gnaw marks on wood, etc., or detect a "musty" smell;

these are all signs that you should contact a professional pest control service specializing in rodent control.

Delaying can lead to a larger infestation which will make treating it more costly and time-consuming. Rats and mice enter homes during the winter months for the purpose of seeking warmth, food and shelter to survive. You can be better protected from rodents entering your home by examining where they are entering, and by utilizing preventative measures in conjunction with professional pest control treatments and effective rodent control techniques.

Early intervention with professional pest control services can mean the difference between having a small issue versus a long-term and expensive rodent problem.