Rodents
The Rodent Exclusion Checklist We Use on Every Home
Trapping removes the rodents you have. Exclusion is what stops the next ones getting in. Here is the full checklist.
By Erin Halvorsen · April 25, 2026 · 7 min read
A mouse can pass through a gap the size of a dime, a rat through one the size of a quarter. Almost every home has several.
Exterior
Start at ground level and work around the entire structure.
- Utility and pipe penetrations
- Dryer and bathroom vent covers
- Garage door sweeps and side seals
- Foundation cracks and weep holes
- Roofline, soffit and fascia gaps
- Chimney caps and attic vents
Interior
Interior sealing matters most in kitchens, utility rooms and attached garages.
- Behind and under kitchen cabinets
- Around plumbing under sinks
- Attic hatches and crawlspace access doors
Materials matter
Expanding foam alone will not stop a rodent. Use copper mesh, hardware cloth or sheet metal as the barrier, then seal around it.