Overview
Rodent exclusion is the single most important step in any lasting rodent control program — and the step most often skipped by standard exterminator services. Killing rodents inside a building without sealing the entry points is like bailing a sinking boat without patching the hull. The population inside drops. The population outside stays constant. New rodents replace the ones you removed within days.
Exclusion can be ordered as a standalone service — either as a preventive measure before an infestation starts, or as a follow-up to treatments that addressed the population but left the entry points open. It is also included as part of every full extermination package we offer. Either way, the process is the same: a full property inspection to map every gap, penetration, and structural weakness rodents use, followed by systematic physical sealing using materials appropriate to the gap size and location.
NYC's building stock makes exclusion work complex. Pre-war masonry buildings, brownstones, row houses, walk-ups, and multi-family apartment buildings all have specific entry-point patterns that differ from newer construction. Our exclusion work is tailored to what the building actually has, not a generic checklist.
Get a Free Inspection
Free phone consultation. We'll give you a straight answer before any work starts.
- ✓No obligation to book
- ✓Same-day availability in most of NYC
- ✓Flat-rate quote upfront
- ✓Follow-up visits included
What's Included
Every service includes a thorough inspection and written scope before any work begins.
Copper Mesh at Pipe Penetrations
Stuffed into all wall-pipe penetrations before sealant is applied, creating a chew-proof barrier rodents cannot gnaw through.
Hardware Cloth Over Vents & Openings
1/4-inch galvanized hardware cloth secured over foundation vents, dryer exhaust openings, crawl space vents, and other large openings.
Steel-Backed Foam Sealant
Expanding foam backed with steel mesh or copper wool for larger irregular gaps where rigid hardware alone won't conform.
Door Sweeps on Exterior & Basement Doors
Heavy-duty door sweeps and threshold seals on every exterior and basement door with a visible light gap at the bottom.
Vent Screens for Roof & Soffit Vents
Secure screening over roof vents, soffit vents, and any open penetration in the roofline that roof rats and mice exploit.
Concrete Patching for Foundation Cracks
Rodent-resistant concrete patching for foundation cracks and gaps where sewer and utility lines enter the building.
Drainage & Sewer Cap Inspection
Inspection of all sewer clean-out caps, floor drains, and drainage openings for integrity, with recommendations for damaged or missing caps.
Exterior Perimeter Audit
Complete walk of the exterior perimeter to identify any ground-level entry points missed during interior inspection.
Our Process
Phone Consultation
Describe the building type and any known rodent history. We'll tell you what a typical exclusion scope looks like for your property type.
Full Exclusion Inspection
Comprehensive interior and exterior inspection documenting every entry point, gap, and structural weakness by location, size, and required sealing material.
Written Exclusion Plan & Quote
Flat-rate quote itemizing exactly which entry points will be sealed, with what materials, before any work begins.
Systematic Sealing
Entry points sealed in priority order — highest-traffic rodent access routes first — using materials matched to each specific gap type and location.
Post-Sealing Inspection & Documentation
Walk-through after sealing to verify all identified points are addressed, with documentation of completed work for your records.
Why It Matters in NYC
Exclusion works because it changes the math. Rodent pressure from outside NYC buildings is relentless — subway-connected sewer systems, adjacent construction, restaurant density, and neighboring buildings all keep pushing rodents toward your structure. You cannot eliminate that outside pressure. You can stop it from getting inside.
NYC buildings have predictable entry-point patterns based on their construction era and type. Pre-war brownstones built before 1940 typically have multiple compromised foundation penetrations where original pipe installations were never properly sealed, gaps in the exterior masonry at the first-floor transition, and sewer clean-out caps that have been cracked or displaced over decades of street maintenance. Walk-up apartment buildings have utility shaft penetrations between units that give rodents access to every floor from a single ground-level entry. Pre-war co-ops have cornices, soffits, and roofline details that roof rats exploit with ease.
Sewer cap integrity is underappreciated. NYC buildings without tight sewer caps on their exterior clean-outs have a direct highway from the sewer system into the building's pipe infrastructure. Norway rats — which are strong swimmers and comfortable in sewer environments — use these gaps routinely. A properly capped sewer clean-out is one of the highest-value exclusion steps for Manhattan and Brooklyn properties.
The materials matter. Standard expanding foam used by most contractors degrades in 2-3 years and can be gnawed through. We back all foam applications with copper mesh or steel wool, which rodents cannot chew, and use galvanized hardware cloth over any opening larger than 1/4 inch. These materials don't degrade on the same timeline as foam alone, and a properly installed exclusion barrier should hold for years, not months.
How to Get Started
Call Us
Free phone consultation. Describe what you're seeing and we'll give you an honest read.
Free Inspection
A technician maps the full property, identifies the species, and finds every entry point.
Flat-Rate Quote
One number covering the full job. No surprises, no hourly billing.
Rodent Species We Address
Effective treatment depends on knowing exactly which species you have.
Service Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
Can exclusion be done without an active infestation?+
Yes, and that's the ideal scenario. Exclusion as a preventive measure — before rodents establish a population inside — is faster, less disruptive, and doesn't require the monitoring phase that active-infestation treatments need. If you're in a building with a rodent history or high exterior pressure, preventive exclusion is worth considering before you see a single dropping.
What materials do you use to seal the gaps?+
It depends on the gap. Small pipe penetrations get copper mesh stuffed in before sealant is applied. Larger openings get galvanized hardware cloth. Irregular gaps get steel-backed expanding foam. Exterior cracks get rodent-resistant concrete patching. Door sweeps go on any door with a visible light gap at the floor. We match the material to the specific gap type.
How long does exclusion work last?+
A properly installed exclusion with copper mesh, hardware cloth, and appropriate sealants should hold for years. Standard expanding foam alone starts degrading in 2-3 years and can be gnawed through. We use chew-resistant materials specifically because we want the exclusion to be permanent, not a repeat service.
Who is responsible for exclusion — me or my landlord?+
In rental properties, landlords are responsible for maintaining the building in a condition that prevents rodent entry. If you're a unit owner in a co-op or condo, the responsibility depends on whether the entry points are in common areas (building responsibility) or within your unit. We can help you document what's needed and provide written scope to share with your building management.
Will sealing affect the look of my building?+
We use materials and finishes that are appropriate for the visible surfaces involved. Hardware cloth is painted or powder-coated to blend. Concrete patching is matched to existing mortar where possible. Door sweeps are available in finishes that match door hardware. We'll discuss aesthetics before any visible exterior work.
Does exclusion address all rodent species?+
Yes. The same entry-point sealing that blocks Norway rats also blocks roof rats, house mice, and deer mice. The specific points we prioritize differ by species — ground-level foundation sealing matters most for Norway rats, roofline and upper-story sealing matters for roof rats, and dime-sized gaps at utility penetrations matter most for mice — but a comprehensive exclusion addresses all of them.
Can you coordinate with building management for a multi-unit building?+
Yes. For apartment buildings, co-ops, and multi-family properties, we work directly with supers, building managers, and property management to coordinate access, communicate the scope, and ensure the exclusion addresses building-wide entry points rather than just a single unit.
Do I need extermination service too, or is exclusion alone enough?+
If there's already an active infestation inside, exclusion seals the building but doesn't address the existing population. You need both. If there's no active infestation and you're doing exclusion preventively, or if the previous extermination already cleared the interior, exclusion alone is appropriate.
Ready to End the Problem?
Free phone consultation. Free inspection. Flat-rate quote before any work starts.
Call Now: (212) 555-012324/7 Availability · Same-Day Service · All 5 Boroughs