Rodent Exclusion and Entry-Point Sealing in Wichita, KS
Exclusion means closing the openings that rats and mice use to get into a building. It is the part of rodent control that helps keep the problem from coming back. Mice can squeeze through a gap about 1/4 inch wide. Rats can fit through a gap about 1/2 inch wide.
Common openings include gaps under garage doors, holes where pipes, wires and AC lines go through walls, foundation and crawl-space vents, gaps at the roof edge, and damaged screens. Rodents can chew through foam, rubber and thin plastic, so good sealing uses hard materials like 1/4 inch hardware cloth, sheet metal, concrete or mortar, and steel or copper mesh packed with sealant.
Sealing works best after active rodents are trapped, so they are not shut inside the walls. Call to talk through your rodent problem and ask whether sealing can be part of the visit.
Urgent rodent help: if rodents are active inside right now, ask about trapping first and then sealing. Call to ask about the next available visit.
Places to check around your house
- Garage doorStand inside the closed garage during the day. If you see light under or beside the door, a mouse can likely get in.
- Pipes, wires and AC linesLook where lines enter the house. Gaps around them are common, especially behind the AC unit and at the dryer vent.
- Foundation and crawl-space ventsCheck for missing, rusted or bent screens and for a crawl-space door that does not close tight.
- Roof edge and attic ventsLook for gaps at the eaves, loose trim and torn vent screens, especially where tree limbs touch the roof.
- Cracks and settled concreteLook for cracks in the foundation, gaps where steps or a patio meet the house and open spaces under slabs.
- Doors and window wellsWorn door bottoms, gaps at the threshold and window wells filled with leaves and debris.
What good exclusion work usually includes
- A full walk around the outsideFrom the ground to the roof edge, including the garage, vents and every place a pipe or wire comes through.
- The right material for each gapHardware cloth for vents, sheet metal or flashing for chewed edges, mortar for masonry, and mesh with sealant for small pipe gaps.
- Trapping before sealingRodents still inside should be dealt with first, so they are not sealed in.
- Keeping vents workingDryer, furnace and water heater vents must still let air out. They need rodent guards made for vents, not a solid seal.
- A list or photos of what was doneAsk for a written list or photos of each sealed spot so you can check them later.
What you can do today
- Check the bottom of the garage door in daylight and replace a worn rubber seal.
- Make sure the dryer vent flap closes all the way when the dryer is off.
- Close the crawl-space door and fix any loose vent screens.
- Keep plants, mulch and stored items a short distance away from the foundation so you can see gaps and burrows.
- Do not block furnace, water heater or dryer vents. Ask a professional about the right guard.
Questions to ask when you call
Your call is connected with an independent provider. These questions help you get clear answers before anyone comes out.
- Do you serve my address, and is sealing part of the visit?
- Which openings did you find, and how will each one be closed?
- What materials will you use?
- Will any of the work affect my vents?
- Does the work come with any guarantee? If so, can I have the terms in writing?
Call to confirm service at your address. Prices, schedules and any guarantee come from the provider, so ask for the details on the call.
Related services
Rat Control
Burrows by the foundation, big droppings in the garage or thumping in the attic. Learn the signs and what a good rat job covers.
Mice Removal
Small droppings in drawers, chewed food boxes or light scratching in the walls. Learn why trapping works best with sealing.
Emergency Rodent Removal
A rat in the kitchen or a mouse in the bedroom. Safe steps to take now, and what to ask when you call about the next available visit.
Areas around Wichita
We take calls from Wichita neighborhoods and nearby cities such as Derby, Andover, Bel Aire and Maize. See the service areas page for local property checks, and call to confirm service at your address.