How to Rodent-Proof Your Home This Weekend

Start outside: the roof, walls and foundation

• Patch foundation cracks and weep holes with mortar or screen
• Install a chimney cap and screen dryer vents with metal guards
• Check roof returns, tile edges, eaves and soffits for gaps and damage
• Cover attic, gable and crawl space vents with galvanized hardware cloth
• Seal around pipes, AC lines and wires with steel wool or copper mesh and sealant

Doors and garage

• Fit door sweeps to exterior and garage doors so you cannot see daylight under them
• Keep the garage tidy and store items on shelves in sealed bins
• Replace worn garage door bottom seals and check the corners
• Repair torn screens and gaps around windows

Inside: kitchen, pantry and pet areas

• Store dry food in glass, metal or hard plastic containers
• Empty the trash regularly and use a lidded can
• Pick up pet food at night and clean up crumbs and spills
• Seal gaps under sinks and behind appliances

The yard and trees

• Trim branches so they stay several feet from the roof and walls
• Pick up fallen fruit and nuts and keep compost closed
• Stack firewood away from the house and off the ground
• Keep bird feeders clean and bring seed bins inside
• Remove vines on walls and fences that give rodents a ladder

What to use and what to avoid

Use steel wool, copper mesh, hardware cloth, sheet metal and cement for permanent seals. Avoid plain expanding foam, wood and plastic, which rodents chew through. Apply sealant over mesh to hold it in place and keep it from falling out.

A seasonal check routine

• Fall: seal gaps before rodents seek shelter
• Winter: watch for noises and droppings in the attic and garage
• Summer: trim vegetation and check for fruit drop
• Spring: inspect after winter storms and repair gaps

Rodent cheat sheet

Rodent control terms explained

• HEPA vacuum: a vacuum with a high-efficiency filter used for droppings and dust in cleanup
• Snap trap: a mechanical trap that kills quickly and keeps poison out of the structure
• Midden: a pack rat nest built from sticks, cactus and trash
• Runway: the worn path rodents use along walls and edges
• Rub marks: dark, greasy smears left by fur along beams and entry holes
• Tamper-resistant bait station: a locked box that holds rodenticide outdoors, out of reach of pets and children
• Hardware cloth: galvanized steel mesh, usually about a quarter inch, used for vents and gaps
• Exclusion: sealing every entry with metal mesh, sheet metal, cement and screens

A checklist for this week

• Pick up fallen fruit and nuts
• Book an inspection if signs continue
• Store pet food and bird seed in sealed bins and bring bowls in at night
• Trim branches back from the roof and remove vines from walls
• Seal gaps around pipes and vents with steel wool or copper mesh and sealant
• Add door sweeps and fix garage door seals
• Write down noises, droppings and damage with dates

What rodents damage besides food

Because rodent teeth never stop growing, rats and mice gnaw all the time. Electrical wiring gets chewed, creating a fire hazard; insulation in attics and walls is stripped; plumbing and irrigation lines are gnawed; stored boxes and vehicles are damaged; and droppings and urine contaminate surfaces.

Check attic wiring, ductwork and insulation after rodents have been in the house, and call a licensed electrician or HVAC professional about anything chewed.

Myths and facts about rodents

• Myth: ultrasonic devices drive rodents out. Fact: independent evidence is weak and rodents get used to the sound.
• Myth: cats solve a rodent problem. Fact: they may catch some, but they do not seal entry points.
• Myth: poison alone fixes it. Fact: poison does not close gaps and can leave dead animals inside walls.
• Myth: a rat needs a big hole. Fact: a rat fits through about half an inch and a mouse through about a quarter inch.
• Myth: you only have rodents if you see them. Fact: they are nocturnal and the first clue is often droppings or noises.

When to call a professional

Pick up the phone when the pest is a mystery, when your own efforts have not stopped it from returning, when it is hiding in walls, attics or crawl spaces, or when children, pets or health conditions rule out guesswork. Use Call Now at the top of the page and say what you found; you will reach an independent provider serving your ZIP code, who puts the scope in writing.

What this means for a home in Escondido

Inland North San Diego County city with avocado and citrus groves, hillsides, and chaparral edges. Roof rats use fruit trees and palms; pack rats (woodrats) nest at brush edges; Norway rats appear downtown; house mice are everywhere.

Wildfire risk, drought, and Santa Ana winds shape yard and brush advice. Neighborhood names to confirm: Downtown Escondido, Hidden Meadows, Rancho San Pasqual, Felicita, Dixon Lake area. When weighing different advice, bring these local facts in, and ask the provider to explain how they apply to your property.

Getting help in Escondido and nearby cities

Independent providers covering 7 ZIP codes in Escondido, California are reached through Rodent Control Escondido: 92025, 92026, 92027, 92029, 92030, 92033, 92046. Providers serving San Marcos, Vista, Poway, Encinitas and Ramona can also receive requests. Each address is confirmed individually.

Start with Call Now at the top of the page and say what you have found. Your address is confirmed by the provider, who then inspects the property and gives you the scope in writing.

Keep reading

Related pages for Escondido homeowners: How to Choose a Rodent Control Company; Rodent Droppings: Safe Cleanup Steps; DIY vs Professional Rodent Control; Rodent Proofing. For the area list, see the service areas page.

Common questions about how to rodent-proof your home this weekend

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