How Are Rodents Getting Into Your Home?
Rodents can enter through small gaps around foundations, crawl space vents, plumbing and utility penetrations, siding, rooflines, soffits, and other openings in the exterior of the home.
Finding the actual entry points is one of the most important parts of solving a rodent problem. Simply trapping the rodents already inside does not prevent new rodents from entering through the same openings.
What Is Rodent Exclusion?
Rodent exclusion is the process of identifying and sealing openings that mice and rats can use to enter your home. Depending on the home, exclusion work may include sealing gaps around crawl space foundations, vents, utility penetrations, siding, rooflines, soffits, and other vulnerable areas.
The goal is not simply to remove the rodents currently inside. It is to correct the conditions that allowed them into the home in the first place.
Why Isn't Trapping Rodents Enough?
Traps can remove mice and rats that are already inside your crawl space, attic, or home, but trapping alone does not solve an entry problem. If the openings rodents are using remain accessible, new rodents can simply replace the ones that were removed.
Effective rodent control typically requires identifying the entry points, eliminating the existing rodents, and completing the appropriate exclusion work.
Where Do We Look For Rodent Entry Points?
We inspect common entry areas including crawl space foundations, vents, utility penetrations, siding, rooflines, soffits, HVAC penetrations, and damaged or deteriorated building materials.
We also look for droppings, nesting material, chewing, damaged insulation, rub marks, and travel patterns that can help determine how rodents are moving through the structure.
How Do We Seal Rodent Entry Points?
The correct exclusion method depends on the size, location, and construction of the opening. We use appropriate durable materials and repair methods to close accessible entry points while maintaining necessary building functions.
Some rodent entry points involve damaged or deteriorated portions of the home rather than a simple gap. As a Virginia Class A contractor, Patriot can make many of these repairs as part of the overall rodent solution.
What Happens During A Rodent Inspection?
We inspect accessible areas of the crawl space, attic, exterior, and other areas related to the rodent problem. We determine where rodents are active, identify accessible entry points, and evaluate any visible damage.
We then recommend a scope based on what we actually find. Depending on the home, that may include rodent removal, exclusion, cleanup, insulation work, duct repair, or repairs to damaged building materials.
Why Do Homeowners Choose Patriot Crawl Space Repairs?
Rodent problems often involve more than pest control. Mice and rats can damage insulation, HVAC ducts, vapor barriers, wiring, and building materials while entering and traveling through a home.
Patriot combines licensed pest control experience with more than 25 years of construction experience. We can identify the rodent problem, correct accessible entry points, clean up affected areas, and repair damage when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Rodent Exclusion?
Rodent exclusion is the process of identifying and sealing openings that mice and rats use to enter a home. It helps address the source of recurring rodent activity.
Exclusion is typically combined with removal of the rodents already inside. Together, these steps help prevent the same problem from continuing.
How Do Mice And Rats Get Inside A House?
Rodents commonly enter through openings around foundations, crawl space vents, utility penetrations, siding, rooflines, soffits, HVAC components, and damaged building materials.
Some entry points can be difficult to see without inspecting the crawl space, attic, exterior, and areas where utilities enter the home.
How Small Of An Opening Can A Mouse Get Through?
Mice can squeeze through extremely small openings, which means gaps that appear insignificant can sometimes provide access to the home.
A thorough inspection helps identify these smaller openings as well as damaged areas that may be providing larger entry points.
Does Rodent Exclusion Permanently Keep Rodents Out?
Proper exclusion can greatly reduce the opportunities for rodents to enter the home. However, new openings can develop as materials deteriorate or changes are made to the structure.
For that reason, exclusion should focus on durable repairs and the areas most likely to provide rodent access rather than simply applying temporary sealants.
Should Rodents Be Removed Before Entry Points Are Sealed?
Rodent removal and exclusion should be coordinated so rodents are not unintentionally trapped inside inaccessible portions of the home.
The proper sequence depends on the infestation, where the rodents are located, and how they are entering the structure.
What Materials Are Used For Rodent Exclusion?
The appropriate material depends on the opening and the surrounding construction. Different locations may require screening, flashing, sealants, mortar, or repairs to damaged building materials.
Our goal is to use an exclusion method appropriate for the particular opening rather than applying the same material everywhere.
How Much Does Rodent Exclusion Cost?
Rodent exclusion costs depend on the number of entry points, their location and accessibility, the size of the home, and whether damaged building materials need to be repaired.
We inspect the property first so the recommended work and pricing are based on the actual conditions found at the home.
Can You Repair Damage Caused By Rodents?
Yes. Rodents can damage insulation, vapor barriers, HVAC ducts, and other materials while nesting or traveling through a home.
Patriot Crawl Space Repairs can address many of these repairs along with rodent removal, exclusion, and cleanup so the homeowner does not have to coordinate several different contractors.
