Rodents: How Are They Getting In, How Do We Stop Them?

It’s critical that pest problems be identified and addressed as quickly as possible because rodents breed quickly — a single pair of rats can multiply into 640 within a year, and mice can multiply to over 1,000. Stopping them for good means finding the points of entry and sealing them up to prevent future invasion. Below are some of the most common entry points and exclusion solutions. Remember, when conducting your inspection, mice can fit through a gap of about 1/4 inch and rats through a gap of 3/8 inch.

Common Entry Points and Solutions:

  • Exterior doors — Damaged or worn out sweeps are one of the most common entry points. Most standard brush or vinyl sweeps keep out the weather but not mice and rats. All doors should be fitted with specialized rodent-proof door sweeps.
  • Vents and grilles — Protect them with screen or mesh and ensuring any voids or gaps around them are filled with a pest exclusion material.
  • Drain pipes — Rats are excellent swimmers. Make sure exterior drain and sewer access points are covered with an appropriate metal cover. Openings surrounding the drain should be patched or filled.
  • Vertical wires and pipes — Mice and rats are excellent climbers. Circular rat guards should be placed around all vertical wires and pipes.
  • Utility and other building penetrations — Check places where pipes, wires or HVAC enter the building and fill any gaps with pest exclusion material.

Ensure the exterior of the building, especially around the foundation, is free from harborage areas such as shrubs and ground cover, and eliminate any “bridges” to the roof, like overhanging trees.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

Drew McFadden is director of Marketing for Xcluder, and can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Kimball Showroom Earns WELL Certified Platinum Distinction

    Commercial furnishings company Kimball International recently announced that its showroom in New York City has achieved WELL Certification at the Platinum level as dictated by the International WELL Building Institute, according to a news release. The certification demonstrates a continuing commitment to creating environments that promote health, well-being, and productivity.

  • California K–12 District Opens New Athletic Complex, Gym

    The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) in San Mateo, Calif., recently announced the completion of two new athletics facilities: a new gymnasium at Burlingame High School, and a new athletic training complex at San Mateo High School, according to a news release.

  • KI Wall Demonstrates New Solutions at NeoCon 2025

    KI Wall attended NeoCon 2025 in Chicago, Ill., last month to showcase its new architectural wall systems and collaborations, according to a news release. Its customizable, design-forward wall solutions are intended to support creativity in work, education, and healthcare environments.

  • StarRez Releases 2025 State of Student Housing Report

    Student housing software solutions provider StarRez recently released its second State of the Student Housing Industry Report, according to a news release. The report is based on the results of survey data from more than 400 higher education institutions around the world, both StarRez clients and not.

Digital Edition