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In Texas, it doesn’t take much for rodents to get inside. A small crack in the garage or a gap under the door, that’s all they need. I’ve seen roof rats slide right through vents and mice scoot under garage doors like it’s nothing. If your place feels warm and quiet, they’ll find a way in.
Once they get in, it doesn’t take long before they start wrecking things. You’ll find wires chewed up, insulation pulled apart for nesting, and droppings left in places they don’t belong, all of it bad news for your home and your health.
Let me walk you through why garages and basements pull rodents in and what you can do right now to keep them out for good.
Why Rodents Love Texas Garages
- Garages Stay Warm in Winter: Even when it’s cold outside, garages usually stay a few degrees warmer than outdoors. That’s all a rat or mouse needs to survive through Texas winters.
- Easy Entry Points: Garage doors don’t always seal tight. Add in vents, wall gaps, and those side-door thresholds, and you’ve got multiple entry points rodents can use.
- Food, Pet Supplies & Trash: Stored birdseed, grass seed, dog food, and even old trash bins are like a buffet for rodents.
- Quiet and Cluttered: Garages don’t see much foot traffic, especially in corners piled with boxes or tools. Rodents love these dark places.
Further Reading: How to Get Rid of the 7 Most Common Fort Worth Pests for Good
Why Texas Basements Aren’t Safe Either
Not every Texas home has a basement, but when they do, rodents see it as the perfect place to hide. It is dark, quiet, and often overlooked by homeowners, which makes it an easy target.
- Dark and Damp: Rodents love humid spots. Basements can be damp due to poor ventilation or water seepage, and that kind of environment attracts rats quickly.
- Access Through Crawl Spaces and Vents: If your home has a crawl space, it can act as a highway for rodents. They often move from crawl spaces into the basement unnoticed.
- Storage Galore: Like garages, basements are packed with boxes, old furniture, and cardboard, all perfect for nesting.
How to Stop Rodents From Taking Over:
Here’s how we recommend keeping mice and rats out, based on what we’ve seen in homes across Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, and other parts of North Texas.
1. Seal Entry Points
Start with your garage door. Make sure it fully seals against the ground. Check side doors, vents, and wall gaps. Use steel wool, caulk, or hardware cloth to seal small holes (mice can squeeze through a dime-sized gap).
2. Declutter and Organize
Get rid of stacks of old cardboard boxes. Use plastic storage bins instead. Don’t let piles sit untouched for months, that’s rodent heaven.
3. Elevate and Cover Food
If you store pet food, birdseed, or snacks in your garage or basement, keep them in sealed metal or heavy-duty plastic containers, not the original bags.
4. Install Rodent-Proof Vents and Screens
Add mesh screens to your crawl space vents and garage wall openings. Rodents can easily chew through cheap vent covers, so use strong materials.
5. Light It Up
Rodents hate well-lit areas. Install motion sensor lights in your garage and basement. Even a little light discourages activity.
6. Set Traps in Suspected Areas
If you hear scratching or spot droppings, set up traps near walls or corners. But keep traps away from pets or kids.
7. Call a Local Rodent Pro
Sometimes, rodents are just too good at hiding. That’s where we come in. At EcoStar Pest Control, we know where rodents hide, how they move, and how to shut them down, for good.
Useful Resource: How to Keep Your Pool Area Bug-Free in Texas?
FAQ:
Q1: How do I know if it’s mice or rats in my garage?
Check the droppings. Mice leave tiny ones, about the size of a grain of rice. Rats leave bigger, thick ones with pointed ends. You’ll also hear rats more, they’re louder and chew up tougher stuff like wires and wood.
Q2: Will traps alone get rid of the problem?
Traps can catch a few, but if you don’t fix where they’re getting in, it won’t stop. They’ll just keep coming back. You’ve got to seal it up tight.
Q3: Is professional rodent control worth it?
No doubt. We don’t just put out traps, we figure out how they’re getting in, seal it, and help you keep them out for good. It’s not just cleanup, it’s prevention too.
Related Pest Control Services in DFW
Rodents aren’t the only pests finding ways into Texas homes. At EcoStar Pest Control, we also specialize in:
