Survey the Entire Exterior
The best way to keep pests out is to understand how they get in. That means finding the holes around your home that lead inside. To do this, first carefully walk around the exterior of your home in search of holes. Bring a pencil and paper with you to mark down any vulnerable spots you see. Pests only need a gap of a few millimeters to get inside.
After an initial walkthrough, it’s time to get a little more thorough in your search. Put on clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, along with safety equipment, including gloves and goggles. Get behind your shrubs, and as close to the foundation of your home as you can. Again, keep an eye out for even the smallest cracks.If you have a crawlspace, grab a flashlight and check in there for vulnerabilities, as well. Then, grab a partner and a ladder. Head to the roof, noting any holes you see up there as well. You can move onto the next step once you’ve covered every area where pests can get inside.
Block the Gaps Appropriately
Now that you know the location and size of the gaps around your home, it’s time to gear up with the right materials to seal them. For small cracks and holes, use weatherproof silicone caulk, which rodents will not be able to chew through. If you plan on painting over the plugged crack, use latex caulk. A little goes a long way with either.
Bigger holes require a little more work. Any hole more than a half-inch wide needs to be plugged with a material like steel wool or copper mesh. This creates a foundational layer for sealing the gap. Fill it the rest of the way with expandable polyurethane foam. When the foam cures, you may have some excess protruding from where the gap was. It can be trimmed and painted over. Use both the metal mesh and foam in tandem, otherwise you will be susceptible to gnawing animals.
Do you have difficulty keeping pests out of your home? Contact Harbor Pest Control today.
