Why You Should Seal Your Home Before Winter: Simple Checks You Can Do in Under 10 Minutes

Start With Your Doors and Windows

These are the first spots pests use to get inside. Look for gaps under your exterior doors and check if light shines through the bottom. If it does, a door sweep will close that space and help keep warm air inside.

Then run your hand around each window frame. If you feel air or see cracked caulking, cold air and rodents can slip through. Re-caulking those thin cracks seals the openings and keeps your home protected as temperatures drop.

Look Around the Outside

Walk once around your home. Focus on areas where pipes, cables, and vents pass through the wall.

Many gaps are no bigger than a pencil, but they are enough for mice.

Fill these openings with exterior caulk or steel wool.

Don’t Forget Your Attic and Basement

These spaces often reveal problems first. If you notice daylight or small cracks near rafters or foundation edges, seal them with expanding foam or wire mesh. These areas attract pests early when nights start to freeze.

Check the Garage

Garages are one of the first places rodents target when temperatures drop. The space is warmer than the outdoors, usually has food sources like stored birdseed or pet food, and often connects directly to the house.

Close your garage door and look closely at the bottom seal. The rubber strip should touch the floor from end to end. If you see daylight or notice an uneven gap, mice can squeeze right under it. Even a space the width of a finger is enough for them to get through.

Why This Matters Now

Late fall is when pests start looking for shelter. Once snow arrives, they become harder to remove and more costly to treat. A quick sealing check keeps your home warm, reduces pest activity, and helps you cut heating costs.

If you want a quick inspection before temperatures drop, Montana Pest Solutions can help. Our team checks the entry points you might miss and seals the spots pests use to enter. Schedule your service at montanapestsolutions.com or call 406-830-8752. Let’s keep your home protected before winter arrives.