ABCs of Pest Habitat Modification-Exterior Cracks and Crevices
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All buildings need utilities
such as natural gas,
electricity, water,
and cabling line,
and so therefore,
they're gonna be going
into the building,
often needing areas like this,
around that pipe,
where pests can use
as a sidewalk to get inside.
As pests go along
the outside the building,
if they feel heat changes,
such as warmth or cold,
that may be the encouragement
to go inside,
or also light coming out
will trigger them to go inside.
So in your inspection, you need
to look very carefully
at all utility penetrations.
Now, what do you do
if you find a situation
like this?
You've got to prevent pests
from using that to get inside
and so we like to use
different types of meshes
like copper or metal mesh
that's sealed in there,
and then corked
around that area.
So there is no way
that the pests can get
on the inside of the building.
As buildings age,
they will settle,
also cracks can form
on the exterior.
Here's an example
where the brick facade
is actually pulling apart,
that same situation
can happen down
around the foundation.
So it's really important
when you do that inspection,
to look for these
type of conditions.
Mice can fit through the hole
as small as a dime,
and rats can fit through a hole
about the size of a quarter.
Therefore, anything left,
this size will actually
be a highway
where insects and rodents
can come and go inside
of your building.
Therefore, it's important
that this is closed up
completely.
We recommend that metal mesh
like copper
or other types of metal
be stuffed into that area
and then corking put over it.
And remember
to continue to inspect,
and fill in these holes
so pests don't find
easy access into your building.