Goal: Seal up, clean up, and prevent rodents from entering or nesting in your So-Cal home. Southern California homes, with our warm climates attract roof rats, Norway rats, and house mice year-round. If DIY gets to be too much or it isn’t working call (866) 827-1727 for a free rodent inspection & estimate.
🏡 Step 1: Inspect Your Home (Inside & Out)
Look for:
- Droppings (rice-sized for mice, larger for rats)
- Chew marks, greasy rub marks along walls
- Noises at night (especially in attic/walls)
- Entry points as small as:
- ¼ inch (mice)
- ½ inch (rats)
Key Inspection Zones:
- Roofline, vents, and soffits
- Foundation gaps or cracks
- Around utility pipes, A/C lines
- Garage door edges and weather stripping
- Crawlspaces and attic vents
🧰 Step 2: Seal All Entry Points
Materials:
Material | Use |
1/4" Hardware Cloth | Cover vents, chimneys, crawlspaces |
Steel Wool + Caulk | Stuff into gaps around pipes, then seal |
Rodent-Proof Foam | Expands into small cracks and hardens |
Sheet Metal Flashing | Reinforce chewed areas |
Weatherstripping | Under garage and exterior doors |
Tip: Avoid using regular foam or wood alone—rodents chew right through it.
🗑️ Step 3: Eliminate Food & Water Sources
- Store pet food and bird seed in sealed bins
- Fix leaky outdoor faucets and irrigation
- Don’t leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight
- Keep garbage in sealed containers
- Pick up fallen fruit and nuts from trees (common in SoCal)
🌿 Step 4: Clean Up Outdoor Habitat
- Trim tree branches at least 3 feet from roof
- Remove ivy and thick shrubbery near walls
- Stack firewood or lumber 18 inches off the ground
- Clean up palm fronds and yard debris
- Cap chimney with rodent-proof screen
- Plant mint (rodent control secret!!)
🧼 Step 5: Indoor Rodent Deterrence
- Set traps (snap traps or electronic traps in attic/garage)
- Use peppermint oil or rodent repellents in known hot spots
- Keep food sealed and floors clean
- Vacuum regularly and declutter storage areas
📅 Maintenance Plan
Task | Frequency |
Inspect attic, garage, and crawlspace | Monthly |
Check and refill traps | Weekly |
Trim trees and yard cleanup | Monthly |
Re-check seals and screens | Quarterly |
🚫 When to Call a Pro – call (866) 827-1727 for a free rodent inspection & estimate
- If you hear persistent attic noise or wall noises
- Droppings are widespread
- Rodents have damaged wiring or insulation
- You find a nest or smell urine anywhere indoors
Visit www.kiltertermiteandpestcontrol.com for more information or to schedule a free rodent inspection.