Yes, mice can fit through openings about 1/4 inch wide, so even a small gap beneath a worn or uneven garage door seal may be large enough.
A garage door can appear closed and still leave plenty of room for a mouse to get inside. Mice are tiny and squeeze through openings roughly 1/4 inch wide. There are plenty of these to be found in garages, particularly around garage door seals that often develop gaps near the corners. An uneven garage floor can also leave openings even when the seal itself looks to be intact. Mice need so little space that these minor defects matter a lot.
Garages are also very useful to mice once they get inside. Not only are garages sheltered from the weather, but they also have a lot of supplies. Many garages have birdseed and pet food, meaning the rodents will be able to eat well. Cardboard boxes and fabric, often stored in garages, give mice access to nesting materials. The problem is even worse for garages with exposed insulation, which mice are very comfortable shredding for their own use.
If this is a concern, you can start by inspecting the garage door from both sides while it is fully closed. Look closely along the bottom edge and at both corners. Don’t just check the obvious places. If you see daylight beneath closed doors, that’s a clue that mice can get in, although sometimes the spaces are so small that you won’t even see that.
Door seals are only one possible entry point. Check around the garage for gaps near pipes, wires, vents, foundations, siding transitions, and the door connecting the garage to the house. You can repair an obvious seal problem and still have a rodent problem due to other openings near these areas.
Before you ever see a mouse, there's a very good chance you'll first notice the physical evidence it leaves behind. Finding scattered droppings or hearing unexplained scratching noises usually provides the earliest indication that rodents might be active indoors.
If mice are getting into your garage or other parts of your home, Mosquito Squad of Bergen and Passaic County can help identify likely entry points and develop a rodent control plan. Call (201) 870-4860 or request a free quote online.
