How can you seal your house against mice? - briefly
Identify and close every opening larger than ¼ inch with steel wool, copper mesh, or high‑quality caulk; reinforce gaps around pipes, vents, utility lines, and the foundation using expanding foam or concrete. Add door sweeps, repair damaged screens, and keep the perimeter clear to deter future rodent intrusion.
How can you seal your house against mice? - in detail
Identify every possible entry point. Walk the exterior, examine the foundation, walls, roof, and utility openings. Mark cracks larger than ¼ inch, gaps around pipes, vents, and cables, and any openings beneath doors.
Seal gaps with appropriate materials. Use stainless‑steel mesh or copper wire to block holes larger than a few millimeters, then apply heavy‑duty caulk or silicone sealant to close seams. For wider cracks, fill with concrete, hydraulic cement, or a high‑expansion foam that hardens into a rigid barrier. Install metal flashing around vents and chimney stacks; cover vent openings with fine mesh.
Reinforce doors and windows. Attach door sweeps to the bottom of all exterior doors, ensuring a tight seal when closed. Replace damaged weatherstripping and install tight‑fitting screens on windows. For garage doors, add a rubber or vinyl threshold and seal the perimeter with silicone.
Protect the crawl space and basement. Apply a waterproofing sealant to interior walls, then line the floor with a polyethylene vapor barrier. Fill foundation gaps with concrete or mortar, and backfill around the exterior with compacted soil to eliminate voids.
Secure utility penetrations. Wrap pipe entries with steel wool, then encase with copper mesh and seal with caulk. For cable entries, use a combination of expanding foam and metal mesh to prevent chewing.
Maintain the exterior environment. Trim trees, shrubs, and vines away from the house to reduce climbing pathways. Keep mulch and compost at least 12 inches from the foundation. Store firewood off the ground and away from walls. Ensure garbage containers have tight‑closing lids and are positioned away from the structure.
Implement interior safeguards. Store food in airtight containers, clean crumbs promptly, and vacuum regularly to remove rodent scent trails. Install metal or hard‑plastic traps in known activity zones; monitor and replace them as needed.
Perform periodic inspections. After severe weather or seasonal changes, re‑examine sealed areas for new cracks or wear. Repair any damage immediately to maintain an impenetrable barrier.