When we inspect homes in Gilbert, the entry points we find follow consistent patterns. Pests do not require large gaps to access a structure—bark scorpions can enter through an opening as thin as a credit card, and house mice need only a quarter inch. Most of the pest entry into Gilbert homes occurs through a handful of predictable locations.
Gaps Around Plumbing Penetrations
Every pipe that enters the structure from outside creates a potential entry point where the pipe meets the wall or floor. Under kitchen and bathroom sinks, where supply lines and drain pipes pass through the cabinet base, gaps are common and are among the most frequently used mouse and cockroach entry points in Gilbert homes. Where pipes enter through exterior walls—HVAC refrigerant lines, gas lines, and irrigation supply lines—gaps between the pipe and the wall opening provide direct access to wall voids.
These penetrations are often sealed when a home is built but develop gaps over time as caulk shrinks and materials settle. Homes more than five to ten years old frequently have multiple unsealed or partially sealed plumbing penetrations.
Door Sweeps and Garage Door Seals
Worn or improperly fitted door sweeps are a consistent finding during Gilbert home inspections. The gap between the bottom of an entry door and the threshold, when a sweep is deteriorated or missing, is sufficient for scorpions, cockroaches, and mice to enter. Garage doors are a particularly significant entry point—the rubber seal along the bottom of a garage door deteriorates with age and heat exposure, and gaps at the corners where the door meets the floor are common in East Valley homes.
The interior door between the garage and living space is another critical point. Many Gilbert homes have a gap under this door that provides direct access from the garage—where scorpions, cockroaches, and spiders commonly shelter—into the living area.
Weep Holes in Brick and Block Construction
Homes with brick veneer construction have weep holes—small openings at the base of the brick coursing left intentionally for moisture drainage. These openings are also entry points for scorpions, cockroaches, and other insects. Weep hole covers that allow moisture drainage while blocking pest entry are available and are worth installing on Gilbert homes where scorpion activity is a concern.
Attic Vents and Soffit Gaps
Roof rats access Gilbert homes primarily through elevated entry points—gaps at the roofline, deteriorated or unscreened attic vents, and openings at the intersection of roofing materials and fascia boards. Damaged vent screens are one of the most common findings during attic-level inspections in the East Valley. A torn or rusted attic vent screen provides open access for roof rats, birds, and in some cases wasps.
Gaps at soffit intersections and behind exterior trim boards are also used by paper wasps for nest sites and by insects for access to wall voids.
Foundation Cracks and Gaps at the Sill Plate
Hairline cracks in block or poured concrete foundations are common in Gilbert homes and are sufficient entry points for ants, cockroaches, and scorpions. The gap between the foundation and the sill plate—the wood member that sits on top of the foundation wall—is another consistent entry area, particularly in homes where settling has created a separation between the two.
Window and Door Frame Perimeters
The caulk around window frames and exterior door frames cracks and shrinks over time, creating gaps that insects use as entry points. In Gilbert’s climate, where temperature swings between summer and winter are significant, caulk deteriorates faster than in more moderate climates. Window-mounted air conditioning units are another common gap source—the space around the unit and along the side inserts is frequently left unsealed.
What Homeowners Can Do
A systematic walk around the exterior of your home with these entry points in mind will identify most of the vulnerabilities present. Seal gaps around utility penetrations with caulk or copper mesh. Replace worn door sweeps. Repair or replace damaged attic vent screens. Install weep hole covers if scorpions are a concern. Recaulk window and door frame perimeters where gaps are visible.
For a professional assessment of entry points and a complete pest control program for your Gilbert home, contact Veterans Choice Pest Solutions for a free quote.