Mouse-Proofing services
OK… We’ve exterminated the mice, but what about all the damage they have done. They’ve made holes in the basement insulation, left dropping near the basement walls, and the house now has a mousey odor. Those are the things that are obvious. In fact, they’ve done a lot more damage than that. Mouse droppings, urine, and nesting materials can contaminate insulation and enclosed spaces, contributing to poor indoor air quality and unpleasant odors. In some cases, rodent contamination can be a concern for individuals with asthma, allergies, or compromised immune systems. Because modern homes are tightly insulated, contaminants in basements and crawlspaces can remain trapped unless properly removed and treated. Fox Valley Environmental Pest Control provides mouse-proofing, cleanup, and insulation services for homes throughout Kane and DuPage counties and the surrounding Fox Valley area.
Mouse Proofing
It would be more correct to use the term ‘Mouse Resistance’ as, with the ability to chew, climb brick and smooth concrete, squeeze into gaps the size of a standard pencil, and the tenacity of an Olympic athlete, mice will continue to thwart your efforts to keep them out. Below is an overview of how FVEPC approaches comprehensive mouse resistance.
Basements and crawlspaces
This is most often the first place that mice go when they enter your home. When they enter areas like the kitchen, they do so from the basement or crawl. In many older homes throughout Kane and DuPage counties, mice often use passages cut for water lines, gas lines, electrical conduit, and vents. There is rarely a direct way from the exterior directly to your main floor; the mice are almost always coming from below. The most damage mice will end up causing will generally be in the basement.
Outside perimeter and inside the garage
The area immediately above the concrete stem-wall is where holes are cut to put in gas, electric, AC, water lines, dryer vents, etc. These holes are often larger than needed and are often improperly sealed allowing mice easy access.
Nearly every home requires sealing of the exterior of the house and the interior of the garage. This is accomplished in most cases with a proprietary product designed by FVEPC commonly referred to by clients as ‘Rodent Rope’. AICR is basically a flexible copper cable which is often used seamlessly around the outside perimeter. Unlike hard metal flashing materials, our Rodent Rope solution conforms tightly to the shape of your home and the gaps being filled. Other strategies and materials may also be required. The work is done by university trained FVEPC staff, and the ‘seal’ is guaranteed with yearly inspection and maintenance.
Every situation is different, but common materials used to seal are those mice cannot chew, such as metallic cloth, lumber, and concrete. Soft materials such as expanding foam are sometimes involved but are never depended upon as the strategy to seal mice out, as they can chew through it.
Even if your home was initially well sealed, utility work, exterior damage/decay, or siding replacement can open new holes allowing mice unlimited access. Many other areas are less obvious and often require that damaged insulation be removed to find and repair the hidden entryways.
Once mice are sealed out of the home, it is an appropriate time to look at cleanup and damage mitigation options. The droppings will continue to aerosolize for as long as they are in the home, so cleaning is an important step. If they have significantly damaged the insulation of the home, a thorough decontamination and re-insulation will be needed.
FAQs
Can I seal mice out myself?
In many cases, no. Mice require a gap the size of a pencil to enter your home, and sealing every little gap is a dirty and difficult endeavor.
Do you offer mouse-proofing and insulation services in Kane and DuPage counties?
Yes, FVEPC provides mouse-proofing, rodent cleanup, and basement insulation services throughout Kane County, DuPage county and nearby Fox Valley communities in the Chicagoland area