How to seal common rodent entry points
San Diego County Vector Control says trapping is only part of the work: seal gaps, remove food, and keep vegetation off the roof line. CDC and UC IPM both treat exclusion as the lasting control. Check what you can see from the ground first.
What you'll learn
- Where CDC and County Vector Control say to look for gaps, from the foundation and utility lines to vents and the roof line
- Why steel wool or hardware cloth plus a sealant beats foam or caulk used alone (UC IPM: rats chew through foam, plastic, wood, and caulk)
- That roof rats are strong climbers and often use upper-story and roof access, according to UC IPM
- How to check dryer-vent flaps, garage door gaps, and other ground-reachable openings without climbing the roof
Step by step
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Keep learning.
How to identify bed bugs early
UC IPM says you confirm bed bugs by finding the insects or their signs, not by bites alone. The first places to check are mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, and nearby cracks, and to compare what you find with a reliable identification guide.
How to prevent ants in your kitchen
UC IPM says the Argentine ant is the most common household ant in California. Most ants live outdoors, so the lasting work is sealing entry, removing food and water, and baiting the colony rather than spraying indoor trails.
How to spot termite warning signs
UC IPM says California has drywood and subterranean termites, and the signs differ. Catching activity early still needs a professional inspection. Local treatment versus whole-structure fumigation depends on species and how widespread the infestation is, not on a first-year versus third-year rule.