You can fix small cracks yourself with caulk or concrete. Your local home improvement store will have the materials you’ll need. If you see larger cracks or gaps, you might call a contractor out to have a look. They can inspect the area for structural damage that should be fixed as soon as possible before it leads to more costly repairs.
To find cracks efficiently, wait until nightfall and have someone shine a flashlight along the wall of your basement or crawl space while you walk around outside. Anywhere you can see the light shining through, you’ve got a crack that needs to be filled. Stuff steel wool into cracks and gaps, then seal them off with concrete, caulk, or any commercial sealant.
Trim vegetation close to your home. Remove pet food and water at night. Keep trash cans closed tightly and away from the home. Remove and properly dispose of any junk. Raise woodpiles at least 30 cm (12 in) off the ground. [5] X Trustworthy Source State of Indiana Official site for state-approved sources related to life in Indiana, including laws, services, and culture Go to source
Wait to seal cracks until you haven’t seen any signs of mice activity for at least a couple of months. If you trap them inside, you could end up with dead mice inside your walls. Use steel wool or tin to stuff the gaps before sealing them so the mice won’t be able to gnaw through and get back in.
Use scrap metal to close the gap around the pipe at the wall, then seal the metal in place with caulk or another commercial sealant. If you have open pipe ends outside, cover them with wire mesh to keep mice and other pests from traveling into your home through the pipes.
Surround cables and wires with steel wool to block mice from using the gaps, then use expanding foam or a similar sealant to hold the steel wool in place without putting undue pressure on the cables or wires.
If the gap is larger than 4 millimetres (0. 16 in), install door brush strips or door sweeps on the bottom of the door. Seal any small gaps in the frame around the door with expanding-foam insulation. [11] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
For prevention, go ahead and patch up gaps and cracks even if you don’t see any signs that mice have been using that entry point. Repair screens on your windows if they have any holes or are damaged, especially if you open your windows during warmer months. Make sure the screen itself fits tightly in the window.
Seal any gaps or cracks in your cabinets, as well as between the cabinets and the walls. Stuff larger gaps with steel wool. Use pieces of tin cut from cans to patch larger holes and gaps. Check for gaps around the gas and water connections as well. Even in new construction, the contractors who install these don’t usually pay much attention to the space around these pipes. Clean up spills and crumbs right away and avoid leaving food out on counters. Store food in airtight glass or metal containers so it won’t potentially attract mice and other pests.
Try to store your trash cans somewhere on the exterior of your home, rather than in your garage. If you have to keep them in your garage, get a metal container that will hold your trash cans and make sure everything’s sealed tight. If you have crafting or building materials, such as wood and paper, in your garage, keep them in metal containers. These are prime nesting materials that attract mice. Check for cracks along the walls of your garage that could allow entry into the house and seal them up.
Clean the area thoroughly to get rid of all signs of rodent activity. These smells will continue to attract other mice Fill in gaps and crevices with steel wool and cover them with concrete or caulk to seal them off.
