[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

I wish. My garage is not attached to the house. Even assuming I replace the rubber seal at the bottom of the garage door, they will chew a hole again to get under the door. And, there are ways in that I can never stop. The cinder blocks supporting the garage walls are placed vertically, with the holes up and down. The rodents dig a hole in the yard, find a cinder block entrance hole and up they go into the garage.

As for the house, well its 60 years old. I had a mice problem a few years back and learned that a mouse can fit through a hole the size of a nickel. Do you think I can locate that nickel size hole somewhere around the house? No way. Mice are gone now though

But, as I said above, I did have a squirrel in the basement a few years back and have no idea how it got in...if it was a hole...then surely a rat can get through it. And I hope they do not, obviously. Though I think by now I would know it as I am in the basement all the time, everyday and have seen no trace of rats

As for the car, I keep the lights on in the garage 24/7. The engine lid is always up and the windows are closed. Maybe I have been lucky but other than traces of a chipmunk having lunch under the front hood, I see no signs of rats being interested in my 911....could be a matter of time, or not. I think this rat situation has been going on for at least 3 years or maybe more. I have been here 9 years and no issues with any damage

A good exterminator can make recommendations. It took them 2-3 visits at my old place to get all of the little access points addressed. Like you say, it may be near impossible. Anyway, maybe the goal is just to make your place harder to get in than your neighbors.