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You should never block both the top and bottom of your chimney. Proper airflow is essential because the temperature inside the chimney will still fluctuate as your house warms and cools. Moisture can build up without ventilation, leading to dampness in your walls over time. Blocking the top prevents debris and animals from entering, but the chimney still needs air circulation to avoid condensation issues. Allowing the chimney to breathe maintains the health of your home and prevents long-term damage.

Not only are mice clever, they are also adept at squeezing in tiny cracks to get into your home. Figuring out how rodents are getting in is key to getting rid of mice quickly and humanely. Check these areas for entry points:

• Basement or crawl space

• The garage 

• Gaps in the foundation

• The roof or attic

• Underneath and around pipes, drains, electrical wiring, and gas lines

• Around doors and windows

• Baseboards

• Kitchen cabinets

• Behind appliances

• Air vents

In general, mouse droppings can remain infectious for 2 to 3 days at room temperature. Through their urine and feces, rodents can spread harmful diseases to humans. Common infectious diseases include hantavirus, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, and LCM.

However, depending on the specific virus and environmental conditions, mouse droppings can carry viruses for shorter or longer periods of time. For example, Salmonella can survive in mouse droppings several days and even weeks.

You're more likely to find a hobo spider outside rather than inside your home. If you do find one in your home, don't panic. You can remove the spider by catching it in a glass or cup and transporting it outside. You may also vacuum up the spider and remove it by emptying the vacuum bag. 

If you notice more than one spider, it may be a good idea to hire a local pest control company to check out the situation and recommend a course of action.