When Rodents Move In: How to Keep Unwanted Winter Guests Out

As the weather cools, rodents start looking for warmth, food, and shelter and unfortunately, your home checks all those boxes. A mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime, while a rat only needs a gap the size of a quarter. Once they’re inside, these uninvited guests can cause damage, spread disease, and make themselves at home fast.

What’s at Risk

Rodents may be small, but their impact is anything but. They chew through drywall, insulation, and electrical wiring, creating fire hazards and costly repairs. They can also contaminate food and surfaces, spreading bacteria and diseases that threaten your family’s health.

Where They Sneak In

Rodents are opportunists. They take advantage of gaps around garage doors, foundation cracks, vents, utility lines, and attic openings. Even overgrown shrubs or stacked firewood can serve as convenient bridges to your home.

Smart Ways to Keep Rodents Out

You don’t need to wait for signs of activity to take action. Proactive prevention makes all the difference.

Outside Your Home:

• Seal it tight. Inspect your home’s foundation, roofline, and entry points. Close gaps with steel wool, metal flashing, or caulk.
• Trim it back. Keep trees and shrubs at least a few feet from the house to remove easy access routes.
• Store smart. Keep firewood 20 feet from your home and elevated to discourage nesting.

Inside Your Home:

• Declutter. Keep storage areas neat and items off the floor to eliminate hiding spots.
• Watch for clues. Gnaw marks, droppings, and scratching sounds often mean it’s time to call a professional.
• Keep it clean. Seal food in airtight containers, wipe up spills immediately, and take out garbage regularly.

Why Professional Help Matters

Rodents reproduce quickly - one mouse can produce up to 35 offspring a year - so a small problem can turn into an infestation before you know it. DIY traps and deterrents rarely solve the problem for good. A licensed pest control professional can identify hidden entry points, safely remove rodents, and keep them from returning.

Protect Your Home with Clark’s Exclusion Shield

Clark Pest Control’s Exclusion Shield offers year-round protection by sealing entry points, providing ongoing repair coverage, and conducting regular inspections to stop rodents before they start.

Your Exclusion Shield includes:

• Professional entry-point sealing
• Ongoing repair coverage at no extra charge
• Trapping or remediation as needed
• Routine inspections and condition reports
• Proactive prevention strategies

Continuous protection, fewer surprises, and peace of mind - that’s the Clark way.

Rodent Control from Clark Pest Control

If rodents are trying to move in, don’t wait for the scratching to start. Call California’s trusted pest management experts at 800/WE-NEED-YOU or email clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time, the professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.