Your comfortable home is a magnet for things seeking comfort — bugs, rodents, etc. — and your friendly contractors have invited them in.
🖼️ The big picture: Any hole or gap in the outer shell of your home is a possible entrance for various critters. Many contractors are not thinking about this when they work on your home. It’s up to you to do the thinking.
- Note: Today’s email inspired by a helpful walk around my house with pest expert Michael Bosco.
👀 What to look for: Plumbers, electricians & HVAC techs need to drill holes in exterior wood or brick to run drain lines, wires & refrigerant lines.
- When access is tight or tricky, they might drill a much larger hole than needed. After running lines the hole leaves a gap big enough for …
🥊 A rat needs a 1” hole or a 1/2” gap. A mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of your pointer finger. A roach needs a gap the thickness of a penny.
✅ For your Smart Homeowner list
- Walk around your house and do a visual inspection.
- Look for holes or gaps pests could use.
- Go to your outdoor AC condenser(s). If the lines going into the house have a metal cover hiding the actual hole—the cover may need to be removed to inspect. You can ask your HVAC tech to do this next time you need service.
Best,
Travis
P.S. Don’t rely only on foam. Holes and gaps need a physical barrier — wood, or metal flashing or mesh. Use foam/caulk as the final step only.