There is one very important thing that you'll need to remember if you've spotted rodents in your shed — the ONLY way to get them out and keep them out is to seal the building shut. Absolutely shut. 100% sealed.
Holes
A hole that is about the same size as an eraser on the top of a pencil will be large enough for a small mouse to squeeze through. If the material around that hole is wood, plastic, drywall, or any other material than hard metals, the rodent will chew around the space to make it big enough if it wasn't already.
Inspection
You can avoid these holes from appearing by regularly inspecting and maintaining the buildings on your property, including the shed. We personally recommend doing the inspection and maintenance twice annually, but at least once — before winter comes. That's when most wild animals look towards the warmer homes of people to shelter from the cold temperatures.
You will want to inspect your shed, inside and out, looking at the top of the construction, the bottom, and everywhere in between. Pay particular attention to the areas around doors and windows, and also when the walls meet the roof, as well as on the roof itself.
Signs to Look For
Look for signs of damage, and not just chewing or gnawing. Look for signs of scratching, digging around the base, attempts to get inside the window or door. Essentially, you're looking for anything that looks a little out of the ordinary. These are the areas that you'll need to pay attention to, because these are the areas that wild critters, including mice, are trying to access the building.
A double-check is preferable — once during the day, using natural light; the other at night, using a flashlight. Working with another person is a good idea, too, and you should also have a notebook and a pen handy to document your findings. Alternatively, record the inspection with something like a Gopro or your cell phone's camera. Missing just one tiny spot could be enough to bring the entire infestation right back again.
Seal Holes
If you notice holes, seal them. Write a list of all the holes and then tick them off as you seal them, one by one. It's a time-consuming process, yes. But it's also a necessary one.
Holes and gaps will need to be filled and sealed with an appropriate, sturdy, and durable material, and we recommend using a combination of caulking and steel wire wool. The rodent can still chew through the caulking with some time, but the steel wire wool will stand the test of time. Just remember to regularly check the areas you have repaired, reinforced, or sealed. If you notice some wear and tear, you'll know to make it even stronger and repair it the very second it appears to be damaged again. The right kind of barrier or sealant, however, will do the job very well.
One trick that we have learned over the years is to make sure the surface of any repair works are as smooth as you can make them. The slightest raise, ridge, or bump will be enough for the rodent to grab on to and start chewing away. The smoother the surface, the harder it is for them to chew and gnaw at it.
Other Areas to Watch Out For
If you have electricity in the shed or outbuilding, make sure that the holes where the cables or pipes lead in and out of the construction are sealed. If there is a bit of movement of that wire, a rodent can get through or chew the space until it is then large enough to get through. The slightest movement, such as wind or being battered by rain, could also leave the wire moving in a way that will slowly erode the material around the hole away. Weather and time causes damage that the rodents then take advantage of. If you stop the damage in the first place, the rodents have nothing to take advantage of.
Doors and windows should also be scrutinised in the same way — making sure that any gaps are sealed and any patches of damage are repaired and then reinforced. If you have noticed that rodents are already gnawing at the edges of door frames, doors, edges of wood or other soft materials, you can add metal flashing to stop them from getting any further.
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