Rodent Proofing Checklist for Pittsburgh Homes
Rodent proofing is a walk around the building with a flashlight and the right materials. This checklist covers the exterior, doors and windows, utilities, roof, and basement, with the materials that hold and the ones that fail.
Walk the outside first
Go slowly around the foundation and look at ground level. You are looking for cracks, crumbling mortar, gaps where siding meets the foundation, and holes in the soil beside the wall. On hillside lots, also walk the uphill side of the foundation, where retaining walls and soil can hide burrow holes. Mark every opening larger than a pencil with tape so you can find it again.
Doors, windows and garage
Check that door sweeps touch the threshold along the whole width and that weatherstripping is not torn. A gap you can slide a coin under is a gap a mouse can use. Look at the corners of garage doors and the seal along the bottom, and make sure window screens and basement window wells are intact.
Utilities and penetrations
Look at every place a pipe, cable, gas line, dryer vent or air conditioner line passes through a wall. Old openings are often much larger than the pipe. Fill them with stainless steel wool pushed in tight and finish with sealant or cement, and do not rely on foam alone.
Roofline, attic and vents
Inspect roof vents, soffits, fascia boards and the gaps where roof meets wall. Cover vents with quarter inch hardware cloth, repair damaged screens and trim tree branches that touch the roof. From the attic, look for daylight, droppings and chewed insulation.
Basement and crawl space
Check floor drains for covers, look at sump pit lids, and follow pipes and wires from where they come in from outside. Seal gaps around them, store boxes on shelves rather than on the floor, and look for burrows in any dirt floor section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials actually keep rodents out?
Stainless steel wool backed with sealant, quarter inch hardware cloth, sheet metal, and cement or concrete patch. Expanding foam, caulk and plastic alone get chewed through.
How small a gap can a mouse use?
About a quarter inch. A rat needs about half an inch. That is why every opening larger than a pencil should be treated as an entry point.
How often should I check my home?
Walk the exterior twice a year, once in late summer and once in spring, and look under sinks and behind appliances every few months.
When is it time to call a professional?
When you find droppings, burrows, gnawed material or any daytime sighting, or when you cannot find or reach the entry points yourself. A professional inspection ends the guessing.
