How Rodents Get Into Plano Homes — Entry Points Explained
Mice fit through a dime-sized gap and rats through a quarter. Here is where they get in.
The roofline
The roofline is the top entry route, especially for roof rats. Gaps where dormers meet the roof, open gable and soffit vents, and lifted shingles all give climbing rats a way in. Fences and tree limbs that touch the roof act as the ladder.
The garage
Garage doors rarely seal tight at the corners, and the gap under a worn door sweep is an open invitation. Once inside the garage, rodents reach the attic and walls through unfinished framing and utility gaps.
Pipe, vent, and wire penetrations
Every spot where a pipe, cable, or dryer vent passes through a wall or slab leaves a gap. Builders rarely seal these tight, and rodents widen them with a few bites. These are some of the most common entry points we find.
The foundation
Norway rats burrow along the slab and enter through foundation gaps, weep holes, and openings around the base of the home. North Texas ground movement opens new gaps as homes settle.
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Common questions
How small a gap can a mouse fit through?
A mouse fits through a gap about the size of a dime, and a rat through one about the size of a quarter. That is why sealing has to be precise.
Can I seal these gaps myself?
You can slow rodents down, but they chew through foam and standard caulk. Lasting exclusion work uses steel mesh and chew-resistant materials in the right spots.
How we can help
Entry-Point Sealing
Exclusion work that closes the roofline gaps, vents, and pipe runs rodents use, so they cannot return.
Learn moreRodent Inspection
A local tech checks the attic, walls, and exterior, tracks where rodents travel, and maps every way they get in.
Learn moreRat Removal
Roof rats and Norway rats trapped out of attics, fence lines, and burrows around the slab, then sealed out.
Learn moreHave a rodent problem now?
Call or book a free inspection. A local Plano tech will take it from here.
Questions Plano homeowners ask before they call
What's the most common entry point in Plano homes?
Roof-line returns and soffit corners. Builders leave a small triangle gap there and rats slip in within months.
Can mice really fit through a dime-sized hole?
Yes. A mouse fits through 1/4 inch; a young rat through 1/2 inch. That's most weep holes and pipe penetrations.
Should I seal weep holes?
Yes — with stainless steel weep covers that let air through but stop rodents. Don't caulk them shut.