Rodents don't hibernate — they relocate. As temperatures drop, roof voids, sub-floors and wall cavities become prime real estate. A mouse only needs a gap the size of a pencil, and a rat the size of a thumb. Proofing before winter is far easier than evicting a colony mid-season.
Find and seal entry points
Walk the perimeter and check where pipes and cables enter, weep holes, roof-line gaps and under eaves. Seal with steel wool and sealant or mesh — rodents chew through expanding foam alone.
Cut off the food supply
Secure pet food and birdseed in metal or thick plastic containers, pick up fallen fruit, and keep the bin sealed. A reliable food source is what turns a passing rodent into a resident.
Tidy the harbourage
Trim vegetation away from the roof line, clear stored clutter in garages and sheds, and keep firewood off the ground and away from walls.
Why speed matters
Rodents breed quickly and gnaw constantly — including on electrical wiring, a leading hidden cause of house fires. Early action is genuinely a safety issue, not just a nuisance one.
Quick checklist
- Seal gaps with steel wool + sealant, not foam alone
- Store pet food and seed in gnaw-proof containers
- Trim branches back from the roof line
- Act at the first droppings or night-time scratching
If you're already hearing movement in the ceiling at night, proofing alone won't be enough — you'll need a baiting and monitoring program alongside it.
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