How small can mice go?

• Posted on August 8, 2016
• by mikew
• in Fix It & Use It
• No Comments.

The only pets I had as a child were gerbils. These are those creatures that are best in a cage or plastic tube and terrifying if scurrying under the kitchen fridge. I remember coming home from a short vacation to discover with my parents the gerbil cage was empty. Both of them were gone. Somehow we managed to recover them both and get them back into their cage. A pretty impressive feat considering what I’ve learned about mice and rodents as a home inspector. Rodents can fit into some pretty amazing places. So how small can a mice (or rat) go? As explained to me years ago I warn my clients that a mouse can fit through a hole the size of your pinky finger and a rat can fit through a hole the size of your thumb. Here are four common entry points for rodents into the home and crawlspace.

1. Damaged crawlspace vents.
2. Crawlspace access covers that are not properly secured or poorly constructed.
3. Pet doors.
4. Damaged siding and open gaps in the siding.

I guess I can add another way if you have a cat that likes to toy with its prey before killing it!