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Basic Rodent Proofing Measures

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Basic Rodent Proofing Measures Substandard repairs and remodeling can alter a structure's rodent proofing. The vast majority of rodent proofing breakdowns is the result of damage after initial construction. Repairs for rodent proofing are usually very simple and cost very little. Periodic inspection of your property should be conducted to insure that proper rodent proofing is still intact. The following list illustrates the types of rodent proofing breakdown in homes in the order of how frequently they occur. 1. Subfloor space ventilation openings must be intact. A. the screen is pushed out or detached B. loose flat cut in the wire mesh C. the hole for pipe or wire is too large D. hand or fingers can be pushed up between screen and foundation 2. Subfloor crawl space entry opening must be sealed with a door or a lid that will exclude finger-size objects. Removable lids should fit so that the lid must be lifted up to open. 3. At the junction of roof pitches the overhanging roof may form a triangular recess which allows rat entry at the very back. Most of these areas are inaccessible. The best permanent seal is a piece of 1/4 inch mesh, galvanized screen. A piece larger than the opening should be jammed tightly in place with a stick. Heavy arrows indicate typical locations of recess holes. Vents that open into the attic should be screened. 4. Poorly fitting side or main garage doors should be weather-stripped at the bottom if your fingers can fit underneath the door. 5. Old wooden stairs on houses without concrete foundations may have holes, which need to be sealed with the 1/4 inch, galvanized screen. 6. Some unusual holes may exist, such as roof mounted chimney covers that have no pipes in them and open directly into the attic.