What Is Rodent Proofing?

What Is Rodent Proofing?

what is rodent proofing

Rodents household pests sneak into your home looking for food, water, and shelter. Rats and mice, for example, are really agile and have flexible bodies that makes it easy for them to climb up walls, sneak through vents or cracks and crevices in the home’s foundation, or swim through drainage pipes to get in.

So, what is rodent proofing? Rodent proofing is the sealing and blocking off areas where rodents might get in to prevent them from becoming a problem. A pest control service sometimes offers rodent proofing as a service in which they’ll identify the rats’ access spots and eliminate the ideal environments that allo them to survive and reproduce.

Why Rodent Proof Your Home?

Rodents may seem like harmless creatures but the truth is they’re notorious for getting into virtually anything and can spread a number of communicable diseases, too.

Rats, mice, and other kinds of rodent pests can cause structural damage to property by gnawing on valuable household items, leading to pretty bad monetary losses in some cases. They can also create safety hazards by gnawing at electrical wires which can to a devastating fire.

In fact, homes have actually burned down due to wiring that became exposed thanks to rats chewing through insulation!

Rodents carry various diseases that can be dangerous to you and your loved ones if you come into contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. They can also contaminate areas where food is stored or the food itself.

How Hard Is It to Rodent Proof?

Although eradicating rodents that manage to get in and build a nesting space all around may seem like a tough job to deal with, there are some simple ways you can keep rodents away. These include:

  • Installing wire mesh to block any entry points.
  • Keeping food sources enclosed in airtight containers they can’t chew through.
  • Eliminating clutter to eliminate safe hiding places.
  • Cutting off tree branches and plants that serve as a bridge for mice to enter the home.
  • Sealing off gaps in building materials like bricks, wooden planks, and around air vent or pipes.

What if I Already Have a Rodent Problem?

what if i already have a rodent problem

If you have a rodent problem it’s important to get in touch with a rodent proofing service and get a full inspection of your property. While you may want to deal with it yourself, pest control pros have a lot of experience and are generally much more efficient as well as being able to spot things you can’t.

Rodent Proofing vs. Extermination Differences

Rodent proofing is different from extermination in that it’s the prevention of a pest problem while extermination is killing off an existing rodent infestation.

Rodent proofing

For example, if a roofline has a hole, a mouse can get inside the attic and use it as shelter. Rodent proofing is a long-lasting solution that works by sealing any entry points rather than killing off the rodents. This can be using expanding foam sealants, wire/mesh wire, and silicone products.

It’s also safer and cheaper as you won’t need dangerous chemicals, poisons, or traps like the extermination process.

Extermination

While rodent proofing is a great way to avoid infestations it won’t help if you’ve already got a rodent problem.  When this happens it’s time for extermination. Rodent extermination usually involves rat poison, rat traps, and other pesticide products professionals use to keep rats from breeding as well as kill of the ones that remain.

You’ll have to be careful with pets and children as rat poison is potentially toxic although there are more options these days that are safe.

The problem is that it’s a time-consuming and temporary solution – if you don’t deal with the source of the rodent infestation that could get back in again and you’ll have the same situation again later. Ideally extermination should be done along with rodent proofing, too.

How Much Does Professional Rodent Proofing Cost?

how much does professional rodent proofing cost

Most rat control agencies typically have an average rate of $200-$800 to rodent-proof a home. Usually your estimate is based on a flat rate plus on how much work will be needed to seal off your home or building from pest entry points.

It’s also based on the size of the house, building, or office space.

Do Clean Houses Get Mice?

do clean houses get mice

Contrary to popular belief, mice are not only attracted to filthy environments. Any place with food, water, and shelter serves as an attraction to rodents including clean houses.

Even if a house is spotless, as long as it has what a mouse is looking for it can get mice. That’s especially true during the winter season since mice are actively on the lookout for warm hiding places where there can hide and possibly find food, too.

James Marshall

About the author

James is a business management professional and consultant with a former background in maintenance, repair, and hands-on projects. He enjoys DIY tasks and maintenance around the home as well as part-time writing. Read more »