Home Proofing & Prevention Plan
A ranked, room-by-room exclusion plan: which gaps to seal with copper mesh, hardware cloth, silicone, or door sweeps, which moisture and food sources to remove, plus a seasonal calendar and a materials list with rough costs.
Quick scenarios
What this tool answers
A ranked, room-by-room exclusion plan: which gaps to seal with copper mesh, hardware cloth, silicone, or door sweeps, which moisture and food sources to remove, plus a seasonal calendar and a materials list with rough costs.
Fill in the details, or tap a quick scenario, then run it.
Questions people ask about this
What size gap can a mouse get through?
About a quarter inch — roughly the width of a pencil. Rats need about half an inch. That is why sealing utility penetrations, door sweeps, garage corners, and weep or vent gaps matters more than any spray schedule.
What is the best material to seal mouse holes?
Copper mesh or stainless wool packed tight and backed with sealant, quarter-inch hardware cloth over vents and larger openings, and metal flashing or escutcheon plates at pipe penetrations. Expanding foam alone is chewed through quickly.