Maintenance and Repairs

November 12, 2025 Published by Golden Horseshoe Chapter - By Brent Chislett

Coming Invasion: Rodent- Proofing Your Property This Fall

From the Volume 25, Fall 2025 issue of the CCI GHC Condo News Magazine

As summer fades and cooler weather settles in, it’s time to inspect our properties for vulnerabilities. Just like us, rodents seek warm, safe shelter when temperatures drop—and your building could be their next target. Before the invasion begins, there are proactive steps you can take to pest-proof your property and avoid costly pest control interventions.

Why Keep Rodents Out?

Rodents are more than just a nuisance—they’re a serious threat to property and health. A single pair of mice can produce up to 1,000 offspring in just a few months, leading to rapid infestations. Left unchecked, rodents can cause:

• Thousands of dollars in structural damage from gnawed wood, drywall, and insulation.
• Higher utility bills due to compromised insulation.
• Decreased property value from visible damage and infestation stigma.
• Health risks, including hantavirus, salmonella, and rat-bite fever—especially dangerous for elderly and vulnerable residents.

And here’s the kicker: most insurance policies do not cover rodent damage, as it’s considered preventable.

How to Keep Rodents Out

An effective pest management strategy starts with prevention. The good news? There are simple, cost-effective steps your maintenance team can take to protect your property.

Step 1: Find the Hole and Fill It

Rodents are escape artists. Mice can squeeze through holes the size of a pencil, and rats through nickel-sized gaps. Sealing these entry points is essential.

• Use steel wool to fill gaps, then reinforce with spray foam insulation for a durable seal.
• For functional openings like vents and weep holes, install commercially available covers that allow airflow while keeping pests out.

Step 2: Close the All-You-Can-Eat Buffet

Rodents are opportunistic feeders—and they’ll eat almost anything, including grass seed, cardboard, and even wiring.

• Store landscaping materials like grass seed and bulbs in airtight containers.
• Implement proper garbage management:
  • Use pest-proof bins.
  • Keep garbage rooms clean and regularly swept/mopped.
  • Ensure dumpsters are closed, not overflowing, and placed away from the building on hard surfaces like concrete.

Step 3: Cut the Clutter and Keep It Clean

Rodents thrive in cluttered environments. The more hiding spots, the harder they are to control

• Declutter storage rooms—keep only essentials.
• Use plastic totes instead of cardboard boxes.
• Regularly vacuum, sweep, and mop common areas like lobbies, hallways, and party rooms.
• Don’t forget to clean under furniture, where crumbs and rodents can hide.

Brent Chislett
Beacon Pest Control