Mice, rats and other rodent intruders often make a mess of a home and contaminate it with potential disease. Trapping the rodents is a step toward getting rid of the problem, but stopping access to the home is just as important. Finding the entry points where the rodents are getting inside allows a homeowner to reinforce the areas to keep out rodents. There are several ways to locate the general area where the creatures are entering.
Step One
Chewed or Gnawed Areas - Mice and rats are able to squeeze through small openings from the outside, and if they are unable to get in, they simply chew their way through. Rodents have sharp teeth, powerful jaws and determination. They shred through most any kind of material to get where they want to go. Begin looking for chewed or gnawed areas around the house to trace the path the rodents use to gain access. Stuff the chewed holes with steel wool for a temporary fix until the holes are able to be mended.
Step Two
Droppings - Rodents tend to use the same paths into and around a home. During the course of their intrusion, they occasionally defecate along the trail. Keeping an eye out for tiny mouse or slightly larger rat droppings helps determine the path the rodents travel through the house. Use this information to figure out the path and try to find its origin and do what is necessary to block access.
Step Three
Rub Marks - Rats and mice have oily residue in their fur and leave rub marks along the baseboards of a home where they frequently travel. Like other methods, these oily rub marks help trace the route the rodents use to navigate. The marks are especially prominent in any place where they have to squeeze through, often near the entry point.
Step Four
RodoTrak - RodoTrak (rodotrak.com) is a pest control product that allows homeowners to see the footprints of mice, rats or other animals under a UV light. The tracking stations are like little mouse houses filled with a powder that the rodents walk in and then track on their feet around the home. By turning off the overhead lights and turning on a UV light such as a black light, all of the rodent's steps are visible. The heavy footprints show high traffic areas and the entry points are obvious.