How Rats and Mice Sneak Into Buildings and How to Stop Them
In the quiet of the night, when the world seems still, a subtle rustling may break the silence, a reminder that while we sleep, unwanted intruders may be creeping into our buildings. Rodents are master infiltrators, slipping through cracks and crevices, determined to breach the barriers we consider secure. But how exactly do these tiny trespassers find their way inside, and more importantly, how can we stop them?
Why Rodents Want In: A Relentless Quest
Rodents are not merely wandering by accident. Like seasoned burglars, they’re on a mission. Food, warmth, and shelter are their prizes, and your building, whether an older structure or a shiny new commercial facility, offers an escape from the elements. To them, it’s a veritable five-star hotel. Their persistence isn’t just instinctual; it’s almost admirable, driven by hunger and survival. But unlike a welcome guest, these creatures bring chaos and destruction in their wake.
Small Openings, Big Problems
Rodents are ingenious when it comes to entry. They don’t knock, they sneak. A rat can squeeze through a gap as small as a €1 coin, while mice only need a hole the width of a pencil. Picture them slipping through cracks in walls, darting under doors, or scampering up drainpipes like miniature acrobats, their sharp claws scratching against the surface, unseen yet heard in the quiet.

Common entry points include:
- Expansion joints and gaps around pipes or wiring.
- Dock levellers and loading bays, where constant traffic/movement creates rodent-sized openings.
- Doors, especially those with worn seals, can also become a favourite entry point for a clever rodent.
Each access point is like a highway to these pests, ushering them into the warmth of your building.
How to Stop Rodents
So, how do you stop rodents? You’ve probably tried the basics, traps, poisons, and maybe even a strategic cat placement. However, these methods only address the symptoms, not the root of the problem. Rodent infestations demand prevention, not just reaction. This is where pest-proofing enters the picture, ensuring rodents can’t even step foot inside in the first place.
A robust solution like Flexi Armour, with its rodent-proof mesh, creates an impenetrable fortress. It covers potential entry points with flexible yet durable materials, sealing off the hidden highways on which mice and rats rely. Dock levellers, doors, and weep vents, once gateways for rodents, become fortified barriers, impossible for them to breach.

Do Rodents Only Infest Older Buildings?
One of the great myths is that rodents only infest older, dilapidated buildings. In reality, they don’t discriminate. Modern structures may have the latest security systems, but to a rat, it’s the tiny, unsealed vent that holds the allure. How to deter rats? Block their entry, regardless of your building’s age.
How to Get Rid of Rats and Rodents: Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Ultimately, the most effective way to get rid of rodents is to keep them out in the first place. By combining professional pest proofing with regular inspections to detect potential weak points, you turn your building into a fortress. Prevention, in this case, is more than just a strategy, it’s peace of mind.
How to repel rodents? Think of Flexi Armour as your building’s shield against an invasion that never sleeps. The sound of skittering claws in the dead of night becomes a thing of the past, replaced by the quiet assurance that your premises are secure.
Fortify, Don’t Fear
Rodents are persistent, but they aren’t unbeatable. By understanding how rats and mice sneak into buildings and deploying preventive measures like Flexi Armour rodent-proof mesh, you can ensure that your premises remain rodent-free. The next time you hear that faint rustling, remember: it’s not just the battle of the building; it’s the battle of the will. And with the right defences, you’ll win every time.
If you’re concerned about rodents or pests and need expert guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us for specialist advice and solutions.
Leave a Reply