Why Sealing Rodent Entry Points Isn’t a DIY Job in Haslet, Justin, and Roanoke
If you’ve spotted rodent droppings in the attic, heard scratching behind the walls, or found gnawed wood around your roofline, your first thought may be: “I’ll just seal that up myself.”
In neighborhoods like Timberbrook in Justin, Sendra Ranch in Haslet, and Briarwyck in Roanoke, homeowners often try the DIY route when it comes to rodent proofing. After all, it seems simple: find the hole, cover it up, and the problem is solved—right?
Unfortunately, rodents are far more persistent than most homeowners expect. What looks like a quick fix usually ends up being a temporary patch. At Myles Pest Services, we regularly help families in Haslet, Justin, and Roanoke after DIY exclusion has failed. Here’s why sealing rodent entry points isn’t a do-it-yourself job—and why professional exclusion, paired with Rodent Maintenance, is the only long-term solution.
Why Rodents Are a Big Problem in Newer Communities
Rodents thrive in developing areas like Timberbrook, Sendra Ranch, and Briarwyck because construction disrupts their habitats and creates easy access to homes:
- Construction gaps: New homes often have unfinished or settling areas where rodents slip through.
- Greenbelt proximity: Many of these communities border open fields, creeks, and wooded areas where rodents naturally live.
- Shared pressure: In neighborhoods with dozens of homes under construction, rodents move from one property to another looking for shelter.
Even small openings are an invitation. Mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime, and rats can compress through gaps the size of a quarter. That’s why “close enough” DIY fixes rarely work.
The Most Common DIY Mistakes Homeowners Make
From our years of experience in Haslet, Justin, and Roanoke homes, we’ve seen the same mistakes repeated:
1. Using the Wrong Materials
- Wood patches: Homeowners often nail a piece of wood over a hole. Rats and squirrels can chew through wood in hours, creating a new entry point.
- Foam or caulk: Spray foam and caulking may block airflow, but rodents chew through it easily. To them, it’s like a snack.
- Wire mesh: Thin screen material isn’t strong enough. Rodents claw or chew right through it.
2. Fixing Only One Entry Point
- Rodents rarely use just one hole. If you seal one without addressing the others, they’ll find another weak spot—often within days.
- Professional exclusion means inspecting the entire structure: roofline, gable vents, AC line penetrations, garage doors, cornice returns, and more.
- If a colony is already established inside, sealing the hole can trap rodents indoors—this can lead to worse problems like damage to air ducting or PEX piping, or the odor they leave for weeks after they die. And the last thing you want to do is separate a momma rat or squirrel from her pups by sealing her out while she’s looking for food for her babies. That momma will scratch and claw her way back into your attic—or die trying. Dead animals, odors, and damage.
3. Ignoring Signs of Activity
- Many homeowners patch the spot where they saw gnawing without checking the attic for droppings.
4. Underestimating Rodent Persistence
- Rats and squirrels are relentless. If they’ve chosen your attic as their home, they’ll chew, scratch, and gnaw until they’re back inside. Just like that momma squirrel.
- Without chew-proof materials and professional techniques, DIY fixes almost always fail.
Why Professional Exclusion Works
At Myles Pest Services, we approach rodent exclusion differently than a homeowner with a can of foam or a piece of plywood:
1. Chew-Proof Materials
- We use galvanized steel, hardware cloth, and other rodent-proof materials that rodents can’t chew through.
- These materials are installed with precision to withstand weather and animal pressure.
2. Whole-Home Inspections
- Our technicians are trained to identify every vulnerable spot—from roof vents to foundation gaps.
- Closing off one entry point doesn’t solve the problem; sealing all potential weak points does.
3. Safe, Long-Term Solutions
- We don’t just block rodents out—we also remove them safely if they’re already inside.
- DIY often risks illegal or unsafe bait use (like throwing bait blocks into the attic), which can create health hazards.
4. Guaranteed Work
- Our exclusion services are backed by a guarantee. If rodents come back through a sealed point, we return to make it right.
- Homeowners can’t get that peace of mind from a DIY fix.
Adding Rodent Maintenance for Complete Protection
Sealing rodent entry points is step one. But in areas like Haslet, Justin, and Roanoke, rodents are constantly foraging and exploring. Even if your home is sealed, there may be ongoing rodent activity in your yard, along your fences, and in the greenbelts around your neighborhood.
That’s why we recommend pairing exclusion with our Rodent Maintenance Program.
Here’s how it works:
- Strategic bait boxes: We place tamper-resistant bait boxes around the exterior of your home to intercept rodents before they ever try to get inside.
- Proven formula: The bait makes rodents seek out water, causing them to die away from your home—reducing the overall population around your property.
- Bi-monthly service: Our team services these bait stations every two months to refresh bait and monitor rodent activity.
- Monthly billing: Simple, predictable billing makes budgeting easy.
- Bundled savings: Rodent Maintenance can be bundled with regular pest control or mosquito services for a discounted rate.
By combining exclusion (keeping rodents out) with Rodent Maintenance (reducing rodent populations), families in Timberbrook, Sendra Ranch, and Briarwyck enjoy complete, layered protection.
The Risks of DIY Rodent Fixes
Rodents don’t just cause frustration—they carry real risks:
- Health hazards: Droppings and urine spread disease and worsen asthma.
- Damage: Gnawed wires can spark fires; insulation contamination lowers energy efficiency.
- Resale value: Rodent infestations reduce home value and can complicate inspections.
In communities like Timberbrook, Sendra Ranch, and Briarwyck—where homes are newer and property values are high—protecting your investment is critical. A professional solution ensures rodents don’t quietly damage your home behind the scenes.
Family and Pet Safety Comes First
At Myles Pest Services, we understand the importance of protecting not just your home, but your family. That’s why:
- We use products that are not harmful to children, pets, or sensitive populations.
- Our exclusion methods are mechanical—built to last without relying on harmful chemicals.
- Our Rodent Maintenance bait stations are tamper-resistant and designed to protect kids, pets, and non-target animals.
Protecting Your Home Investment in Haslet, Justin, and Roanoke
Your home is one of your largest investments—and rodents are one of the fastest ways to reduce its value.
- In Sendra Ranch, a large master-planned community with wide open green spaces, rodent pressure tends to be high as these areas provide ideal shelter and food sources. Over in Timberbrook, a family-friendly neighborhood in Justin where construction is still ongoing, constant development keeps rodents on the move and looking for new places to nest. Meanwhile, Briarwyck in Roanoke features beautiful homes that back up to wooded areas—prime habitat for rodents—making professional rodent prevention and maintenance especially important for homeowners there.
No matter which neighborhood you call home, professional exclusion paired with Rodent Maintenance keeps your property protected and your family safe.
Seal Rodents Out for Good
Don’t waste time with quick DIY fixes that rodents can chew through overnight. Protect your home in Haslet, Justin, or Roanoke with professional exclusion and ongoing Rodent Maintenance from Myles Pest Services.