If you're dealing with mice, squirrels, or bats in your Traverse City home, chances are they’re getting in through easy-to-miss access points. Pest entry depends on your home's location, condition, and the extent to which it’s sealed. Understanding where these pests get in can help prevent infestations before they start.
How Mice Get Into Your Home
Mice may be small, but the damage they cause can be significant. Once inside, they chew through insulation, drywall, wires, and even plastic piping, posing a serious fire hazard due to potential electrical shorts. Their constant gnawing can weaken structural elements, and their droppings and urine contaminate food storage areas, insulation, and air ducts, leading to health concerns. Mice also reproduce rapidly, so a small problem can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation.
Mice only need a hole the size of a quarter inch to squeeze through. Common mouse entry points include:
- Small gaps or cracks in the exterior siding or foundation
- Unsealed attic or crawlspace vents
- Window-mounted air conditioning units
- Garage doors that are left open or don't close tightly
- Firewood stacked near the home
- Overgrown shrubs or tree branches touching the house
- Doors with worn sweeps or gaps, and poorly sealed window frames or screens
Tip: Homes with basements are especially vulnerable. Mice often enter through foundation cracks, unsealed basement windows, or around plumbing and HVAC lines, so extra care is advised.
How Squirrels Get Into Your Home
Squirrels are notorious for causing structural damage in attics and walls. They often chew through roofing materials, wooden beams, fascia boards, and even electrical wiring, creating fire risks and costly repairs. Once inside, squirrels shred insulation for nesting, reduce energy efficiency, and may gnaw through stored belongings or ductwork. Their presence can also introduce fleas, ticks, and parasites into your home. Squirrel damage is exceedingly common in homes near wooded areas or with easy rooftop access.
Squirrels only need an opening smaller than an inch. Their preferred entry points are often high up and include:
- Fascia boards with cracks or rot
- Roof ridge vents
- Roof returns or gaps between the roof and walls
- Open or uncapped chimneys
- Gable vents with missing or loose screens
- Damaged or weakened soffits
How Bats Get Into Your Home
While bats themselves often go unnoticed and can be great at controlling other pests, the damage they cause to the home is hard to ignore. The biggest concern with bats is their droppings, called guano, which accumulate quickly in attics, walls, and insulation. Guano is not only corrosive and odorous but can also carry histoplasmosis, a fungal disease harmful to humans. Over time, the weight and acidity of bat droppings can destroy insulation, stain drywall, and cause wood rot.
Bats are often found in attics and walls due to their ability to squeeze through tiny gaps. They commonly enter through:
- Attic vents without screens
- Gaps in soffits or fascia boards
- Loose or damaged siding
- Chimneys without proper caps or screening
- Ridge vents and gable vents
- Roof returns or eaves
Note: Bat conservation regulations are continually evolving, and the scope of permitted mitigation efforts can vary based on current Michigan laws and seasonal guidelines. They are also a significant carrier of rabies—a fatal brain infection. If you suspect a bat presence in or around your property, it’s important to act promptly and within legal guidelines. Contact Critter Control of Traverse City at 231-359-4843 to speak with our team of experts right away to learn how we can assist you in addressing the issue safely and responsibly.
Protecting Your Traverse City Home from Pests
No matter the critter, prevention starts with sealing up these vulnerable areas. A professional pest control inspection can help identify and secure these when remediating your critter or pest problem.
Call now or contact us online today.