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Rodent Exclusion Guide: Keep Mice Out of Kansas Homes
Mice do not need a big door. They need a gap about as wide as a pencil. Sealing those gaps is called rodent exclusion. This guide shows you where to look and what to use.
What is rodent exclusion?
Rodent exclusion means blocking the ways mice and rats get into a building. It is the part of rodent control that keeps new ones from moving in. K-State Research and Extension calls mouse-proof construction the most successful form of mouse control.
At Bug Shockers, we think of rodent jobs as two jobs. First, remove the mice that are inside. Second, find and seal the gaps they used to get in. Skip the second job and new mice usually follow.
How small of a gap can a mouse use?
Smaller than most people think. The CDC says a mouse can fit through a hole the width of a pencil. That is about 1/4 inch. The Sedgwick County Health Department says mice can use a hole the size of a nickel, and rats can use one the size of a half dollar.
A simple test: if you can slide a pencil into a gap, a mouse can likely get through it.
Where do mice get into a home?
The CDC suggests checking inside and outside. Start outside with these spots:
Gaps between the foundation and the ground
Around doors and windows, especially ones with no weather stripping
Around attic and crawl space vents
Where electrical, plumbing, cable, and gas lines enter the house
Along the roof edge, eaves, and soffits
Then check inside:
Under and behind kitchen cabinets
Around pipes under sinks and washing machines
Around dryer vents and floor vents
Behind appliances
In the attic, basement, or crawl space
Around floor drains
Garages and sheds count too. Mice use them as a way into the house.
What can you use to seal gaps?
The material matters, because mice chew. K-State says latex, plastic, rubber, spray foam, and wood are not good fixes on their own. Mice can chew through them. Steel or copper wool can plug a small gap for a while. Foundation cracks and openings for pipes, vents, and utilities should be sealed with metal or concrete.
Small holes: steel wool, with caulk around it to hold it in place
Larger holes: hardware cloth, metal sheeting, or cement
Door and window edges: metal edging, so mice cannot chew the corners
Base of the house: flashing, and sealed gaps where the foundation meets the ground
A good rule: if it is soft, mice can chew it. Use metal or concrete where you can. Our step-by-step post, How to Seal Mouse Entry Points Around Your Home, walks you through it.
Is sealing enough by itself?
Sealing keeps new mice out. It does not remove the ones already inside. That is why trapping and sealing go together. The Sedgwick County Health Department says doing both at the same time helps stop new mice from moving in.
For a home, the county suggests snap traps rather than glue traps or live traps. K-State says to set traps along walls, behind objects, and in dark corners where you see signs of mice.
What else makes your home less inviting?
Store food in thick plastic, metal, or glass containers with tight lids
Do not leave pet food or water bowls out overnight
Use trash cans with tight lids
Keep woodpiles away from the house, and raise them at least a foot off the ground
Keep compost bins and bird feeders away from the house
Trim brush and weeds near the home
How fast do mice multiply?
Fast. K-State says a female mouse can have 5 to 10 litters a year, with 5 or 6 young in each. The young can have babies of their own in 6 to 10 weeks. That is why a small problem can turn into a big one.
Do ultrasonic repellers work?
Probably not. K-State, MU Extension, and UNL Extension all say there is little evidence that sound devices drive mice out of a building. You can read more in Do Ultrasonic Mouse Repellers Work?
When should you call a professional?
Call if you hear scratching in the walls, find droppings in more than one room, or cannot tell where mice are getting in. Roof edges, vents, and crawl spaces can be hard to check safely. A professional can find the gaps and tell you what is going on.
Quick Answers
How small of a hole can a mouse fit through?
About 1/4 inch, which is the width of a pencil. K-State says mice can squeeze through openings slightly larger than 1/4 inch.
What is the best material to seal mouse holes?
Metal and concrete work best. Steel wool can plug small gaps, with caulk around it to hold it in place. Soft materials like plastic, rubber, and wood can be chewed through.
Does spray foam keep mice out?
Not by itself. Mice can chew through it. The CDC suggests using it with steel wool or metal so there is something hard in the gap.
Can I seal my home myself?
You can seal many small gaps yourself with steel wool and caulk. Vents, roof edges, and crawl spaces can be hard to reach. If you are not sure where mice are getting in, call a professional.
Do I need to trap mice and seal gaps?
Usually both. Sealing keeps new mice out. Trapping removes the ones already inside.
How We Help
We take a look, explain what we see in plain words, and walk you through your options. No scare tactics. No contracts. Wichita: (316) 775-7867. Overland Park: (913) 222-2847. You can also text a photo of what you found.
Learn more about rodent control in Wichita or rodent control in Overland Park.
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