Pest-Proof Your Home

Nothing invites bugs and rodents faster than tiny openings around your home’s shell. The good news: a few targeted fixes from a pest proofing handyman can shut down entry points before ants, roaches, spiders, and mice move in. Focus on thresholds, utility penetrations, screens, and attic/basement vents, then back it up with a seasonal checklist so defenses stay strong year-round.

Where Pests Sneak In (and How to Block Them)

• Doors & thresholds: If you see daylight, pests see a highway. Install tight door sweeps on exterior doors and add adhesive weatherstripping along jambs. Aim for firm contact without dragging on the floor.
• Windows & frames: Replace torn screens and re-caulk perimeter gaps where trim meets siding. For slider windows, add a bug seal at the meeting rail.
• Utility penetrations: Seal around AC lines, hose bibs, cable and electrical penetrations with exterior-rated sealant or pest-resistant copper mesh plus foam (mesh first, foam second).
• Foundation & siding: Fill cracks with masonry sealant. Look for siding end gaps at corners and under deck ledger boards.
• Attic and crawl vents: Install 1/4″ hardware cloth behind vents to keep rodents and birds out while preserving airflow. Add insect screening where appropriate.
• Garage & overhead doors: Adjust bottom seals and side brush seals; pests love the cool, dark edges along the tracks.
• Roofline & eaves: Cap gaps at soffits and fascia; secure lifted drip edge that can hide wasp nests.

Rule of thumb: mice can squeeze through a hole about the size of a dime (~1/2″), roaches through a credit-card slit. If you can slip a card into a gap, seal it.

Materials That Work

• Silicone or high-quality hybrid caulk (paintable for trim, non-paintable for wet zones)
• Backer rod for large gaps, then caulk over it
• Copper mesh (won’t rust) + low-expansion foam for utility lines
• Aluminum or stainless door sweeps and threshold plates
• 1/4″ galvanized hardware cloth for vents and soffit gaps
• Premium window screens (fiberglass or aluminum) with new spline

Seasonal Pest-Proofing Checklist

Spring

• Re-screen windows; repair torn mesh.
• Inspect door sweeps after winter wear.
• Seal new gaps from settling and temperature shifts.

Summer

• Check vents and soffits for bird/wasp activity; install hardware cloth as needed.
• Re-caulk sun-cracked joints on south/west exposures.
• Trim vegetation 12–18″ away from siding.

Fall

• Add garage bottom seals before cold weather.
• Seal foundation cracks and pipe penetrations (rodents seek warmth).
• Install leaf guards and repair attic access weatherstripping.

Winter

• Inspect interior: baseboard gaps, under-sink penetrations, water-line cutouts.
• Confirm dryer and bath exhaust dampers shut fully.
• Monitor for droppings or chew marks; re-seal as needed.

Why This Matters

Sealing out pests protects food, wiring, insulation, and indoor air quality. It also reduces reliance on chemicals—prevention beats treatment every time.

Thank you for taking the time with me to learn more about what Mr. Done Right, the handyman / contractor does for you.

Sincerely,

Nathaniel Peterson

(AKA) Mr. Done Right

For more information on handyman or contractor work in the greater Austin area (or beyond), please contact your premiere handyman, Nathaniel Peterson, AKA Mr. Done Right Handyman Contractor of Austin, because Mr. Done Right ensures any repairs and/or remodels get Done Right the first time! Call us now for a free estimate! 512-659-8931

www.Handyman-Austin.com

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