In Iowa, fall and winter bring a predictable surge in rodent activity inside homes. As temperatures drop, mice and rats search for warmth, food, and shelter — and your home is an ideal candidate. What many homeowners don’t realize is just how small an opening rodents need to get inside.
A mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime. A rat needs only a quarter-sized opening. If you have a gap, crack, or hole that size anywhere on your home’s exterior, it’s a potential entry point.
Where Rodents Enter
Conduct a thorough exterior inspection of your home, paying close attention to:
- Foundation gaps — cracks in the foundation, gaps where the foundation meets the siding
- Utility penetrations — where pipes, wires, and cables enter the building
- Garage doors — worn weatherstripping and gaps under the door
- Vents — dryer vents, crawlspace vents, and roof vents without proper screens
- Roofline — gaps in soffits, fascia, and where different building materials meet
- Doors and windows — damaged weatherstripping, gaps in door frames
How to Seal Entry Points
Not all sealants are created equal when it comes to rodents — they can gnaw through foam, rubber, and plastic. Use materials that mice and rats can’t chew through:
- Steel wool — stuffed into gaps as a temporary or supplemental barrier (pair with caulk to hold it in place)
- Hardware cloth — heavy-gauge wire mesh for larger openings like vents and crawlspace entrances
- Sheet metal or metal flashing — for gaps around pipes and along the foundation
- Concrete patching — for foundation cracks
Standard expanding foam alone is not rodent-proof — rodents can chew right through it. Use it in combination with a metal barrier if needed.
Reduce Attractants Around Your Property
Exclusion is only half the battle. You also need to eliminate the things that draw rodents to your property:
- Store food (including pet food) in sealed metal or hard plastic containers
- Clean up fallen fruit from trees and gardens
- Move firewood piles at least 20 feet from the house and elevate them off the ground
- Keep grass and vegetation trimmed near the foundation
- Remove clutter and debris from garages and outbuildings — rodents love nesting in undisturbed piles
- Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids
Signs of an Active Rodent Infestation
If rodents are already inside, exclusion work alone won’t solve the problem — you’ll need to remove the existing population first. Signs of active infestation include:
- Droppings along walls, in cabinets, and under appliances
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, wood, or wiring
- Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls or ceilings
- Grease marks along baseboards
- Nesting materials (shredded paper, insulation, fabric) in hidden areas
When to Call a Professional
Rodent control is most effective when it combines exclusion (sealing entry points) with elimination (removing existing animals). A professional can identify entry points you might miss, safely remove existing populations, and advise on long-term prevention strategies.
At Rid-R-Bug Pest Control, we inspect your property, identify how rodents are entering, treat the existing infestation, and help you seal things up. Contact us to schedule an inspection.