When you think about rodents like rats and mice, your first thought might be about the chaos they can create inside your home or the health risks they pose. But rodents don’t need to make it inside to cause problems. These tiny creatures can wreak havoc on your home’s exterior too. 

If you’re a homeowner or business owner in Pickering, understanding how these creatures can damage your property is key to keeping things safe, sound, and intact. And if you find evidence of their unwelcome presence, you’ll want expert help—like Skedaddle—for humane, long-term wildlife control solutions. So read on to learn what damage rodents can cause, and how to keep them away from your home. 

The Trouble Rodents Can Cause on the Outside

At first glance, it might be hard to imagine how something so small could create any significant damage to your home’s exterior. After all, it’s built to withstand wind, rain, and snow! But rodents like rats, mice, and squirrels are surprisingly determined (and surprisingly destructive!) when it comes to finding shelter or food. Their sharp teeth, climbing abilities, and resourceful nature make even tough materials fair game.

Here are some of the most common ways rodents can damage your home’s exterior:

1. Chewing Through Building Materials

Rodents are relentless chewers, and the reason why comes down to their biology. Their teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw on surfaces to wear them down and keep them from becoming overgrown. While in nature they might chew on wood or seeds, when they’re near your house, they’ll target whatever materials they can sink their teeth into.

This chewing habit can lead to:

• Holes in siding and fascia: Rats and mice are experts at squeezing through tight spaces. If your home’s exterior has a small crack or gap, a rodent will chew around it to enlarge the opening and gain easy access to your attic, walls, or basement.
• Weakened vents and screens: Your roof vents, dryer vents, and even window screens can fall victim to relentless chewing. Once these barriers are broken, it becomes easier for rodents to make their way inside.
• Damaged roofing materials: Roof rats, in particular, are known to chew through shingles or soffits as they attempt to nest in your attic.

2. Nest Building in Hidden Spots

Rodents are resourceful when it comes to building nests for their families, and they’re not shy about borrowing bits and pieces from your home’s exterior. Insulation, wood chips, or even shingles can all become nesting material in their tiny paws.

This might not seem like a big deal at first, but over time, the loss of materials and the structural changes caused by nests can weaken key parts of your home. If a rodent chooses a spot in your eaves or roofline to build its nest, it could lead to water leaks, sagging wood, or even pest infestations from other species looking to settle in.

3. Damaging Electrical Wiring

While it might sound odd, rodents can and will chew through exterior electrical wiring. Wires for outdoor lighting, air conditioning units, or even solar panels are tempting targets for a curious rodent. Not only does this create a fire hazard, but it can also lead to costly repairs for damaged systems.

4. Undermining Foundations

Some rodents, like rats, also burrow, which means they can create underground tunnels near or beneath your home’s foundation. Over time, this digging can compromise the stability of walkways, patios, or even the foundation itself. This often goes unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred.

5. Contaminating Surfaces

Even if rodents don’t actively chew or dig, their presence can still cause trouble on your home’s exterior. Rodents leave behind urine and droppings wherever they go, which can stain surfaces and create unsanitary conditions. This is especially concerning near entry points or areas where children or pets play.

Why Do Rodents Target Your Home?

Now that you know what kind of damage rodents can cause, you might be wondering why they’re even targeting your home in the first place. The answer lies in what they need to survive—food, water, and shelter. Unfortunately, our homes and businesses often provide all three.

1. Food: Garbage bins, bird feeders, gardens, and pet food stored outside can attract rodents like a magnet. Even small crumbs or spills can be enough to draw them closer to your property.
2. Water: Rodents need a reliable water source to survive. Leaky outdoor faucets, clogged gutters, or even pet water bowls left outside can invite them over.
3. Shelter: Your home provides warmth, protection from predators, and plenty of hiding spots. A rodent doesn’t need much space to squeeze in; mice, for instance, can fit through a hole the size of a dime.

How Skedaddle’s Experts Can Help

If you’ve noticed signs of rodents on your property—or evidence that they’re already inside—it’s time to act. Rodent problems rarely go away on their own, and delaying action can lead to more significant damage and costs in the long run.

At Skedaddle, we specialize in humane wildlife removal and prevention, helping homeowners and businesses tackle wildlife problems without resorting to harmful traps or poisons. Here’s how our process works:

1. Thorough Inspection

The first step in solving any rodent problem is understanding the scope of it. Our team of skilled technicians starts by inspecting your property, both inside and outside, to identify entry points, nesting sites, and signs of damage.

2. Safe and Humane Removal

We firmly believe in solving wildlife conflicts in a way that’s safe for both you and the animals involved. Our humane removal techniques ensure that any rodents on your property are removed without suffering.

3. Cleaning and Decontamination

Rodents leave behind urine, droppings, and hair that can create health risks. After removing the rodents, we clean and sanitize affected areas to eliminate these hazards and restore your space to a safe condition.

4. Preventative Repairs

Once we’ve removed the rodents, we turn our attention to keeping them from coming back. Our team seals up entry points, reinforces vulnerable areas, and repairs any damage caused by rodents—whether it’s chewed siding, broken vents, or compromised insulation.

5. Ongoing Support

Rodent prevention doesn’t stop after our team leaves. We provide you with tips and recommendations to keep your property rodent-free, from securing garbage bins to trimming back trees and bushes near your home.

Don’t Wait—Protect Your Home Today

Rodents may be small, but the damage they can cause is anything but minor. From chewed siding to weakened foundations, the risks to your home’s exterior (and interior) are real. The good news is, you don’t have to face this problem alone. At Skedaddle, we’re here to help you protect your property with an approach that’s humane, effective, and tailored to your needs.

Do you have questions or suspect you have a rodent problem? Contact Skedaddle in Pickering today! Whether it’s a small issue or a full-blown infestation, our team has the expertise to help you reclaim your home or business from unwanted visitors. Don’t wait until the damage is done—call us and take the first step to a rodent-free property.