Rodent-Proofing

Rodent Proofing Service Guide

Please download the guide to review all general information and the section related to your specific pest.

What’s Included?

Each initial mouse control visit includes a square foot area of patchwork repairs along the foundation level of the home. (As many holes that fit into a square foot area.) If rats are determined to be entering from the exterior, the same amount of repairs are included.

What is a Patchwork Repair?

It includes spot repairs that can be made with clear sealant, spray foam, and Xcluder/stainless steel fabric.

What is Quoted Separately?

Anything over a total of a square foot area or any repair requiring other materials is quoted separately.
Also, any repair that requires an extension ladder (over ten feet) is quoted separately.
We do not remove lattice from porch or deck panels unless they easily unscrew or are on hinges.
Interior repairs for mice: These are not usually recommended for mice unless you live in an apartment or multifamily housing. We do the repairs outside to prevent further rodent entry into the structure. Blocking things off indoors can force mice into other areas- complicating trapping. Most people ask about sealing around kitchen cabinets. In most cases, this will not stop mice from entering the kitchen. We sometimes perform repairs inside the home at an additional fee for mice.
Interior Repairs for rats: Rats often enter the structure from below ground, usually through open foundation blocks, drain lines, or openings in the basement floor. We will provide a quote or plumber referral for rat entry points inside.

Additional Repair Recommendations

We will document our recommended repairs. If practical, we will send photos of the areas or show them to you in person. If we can provide the repairs, we will provide a quote, and the cost will be listed on the invoice notes. Otherwise, we will provide our best recommendations or refer you to a different professional. Additional repair recommendations should be performed in conjunction with the service. This prevents the problem from continuing and helps prevent future wildlife problems. We recommend that you perform every repair, but we can itemize/ prioritize them.

General Pricing Estimates for Extra Repair Work

Extra Repair Work

$250⁰⁰Per Hour

• A basic repair estimate is $250 per hour of labor plus materials. Cost per hour increases if ladders or roof access is required.
• Screening vents start at $120.
• Most extra rodent proofing takes approximately 2.5 hours of labor plus materials.

Schedule

Exterior Rodent Bait Stations

Tier 1 Tamper-Resistant Rodent Bait Stations can be installed around the structure’s perimeter (home/ garage). This reduces the population of mice, rats, and voles foraging outside your home, but it does not guarantee that rodents will not be found on your property.
In most instances, four stations are placed around the foundation. Bait stations cost $50 per station installed. The cost per visit to maintain the bait stations is $50 for a home with four stations. Add $10 per maintenance service for each additional station.
We only use bait stations rated tier-one and tamper-resistant for children and pets. Animals larger than a rat should be unable to access the bait in the stations. Chipmunks will be able to access the bait and may die from it. However, we cannot sell the stations specifically to target chipmunks. The bait is secured within the station on metal rods, and a concrete weight anchors the station. A unique key is required to open the station.

Exterior Rodent Bait Station Service Intervals

A constant supply of bait is required to start controlling the population. We usually schedule a two-week follow-up to investigate how much bait is consumed. How much bait is missing from the stations determines how often we initially service them. Rats typically require more frequent visits at first. Nonetheless, we reduce the service intervals as quickly as possible while providing sufficient bait.
The regular maintenance service interval is every other month- skipping January and February. We put you on a route with nearby people who receive the same service. You do not need to be home during service.
Activity levels are mentioned in the invoice notes. Naturally, there will be less activity from November to April. Activity in the stations tends to be higher as the year progresses. We recommend keeping the stations year-round.
Either party can cancel with written notice at any time. Upon cancellation, we will pick up the stations at the next scheduled service at no charge. Please do not relocate stations without us knowing. We only provide this service within our service area (see map).

Sanitation Service and Feces Cleanup

This service is offered from November through March. We use disinfectants, odor removal/ encapsulation products, and specialized HEPA Filter vacuums. We charge an hourly rate for sanitation services. Some larger sanitation jobs require a bio-remediation company like Serve-Pro.

Note: Follow the CDC recommendations if you clean up after rodents yourself.

Rodent-Proofing Service

Don’t miss a single spot. Even if you seal off 99% of the entry points in your home, you’d still find rodents. Our detailed inspection service has a 100% track record when it comes to sealing homes.
Achieve long-term control. We start by removing the rodents inside your home. But more importantly, we assess your home’s entry points and exterior environment to make sure they never come back.
Do it right – the first time. We use high-quality sealants to block entry points. That means we take care of the problem once, and then it’s done.
Get back to living. Our rodent-proofing service is backed by a two-year warrantee. We guarantee that you’ll have zero rodent sightings for the next two years or more — so you can get back to feeling at home.

Even if you haven’t seen a rodent inside, rodent-proofing is always a good idea. Rodents are experts at hiding — just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there! Call us for an interior and exterior inspection so you can cover all your bases.

Service Area

Our service area is inside the purple line. We service homes outside of the purple line. However, a “trip charge” will be incurred to account for longer drive times.

Out of Area “Trip Charge”

For locations outside the purple line- up to forty minutes from the office, a “trip charge” of $50 per visit applies for single services and non-warrantied follow-up visits. Add $100 for multi-visit service plans. We do not service homes over 40 minutes away. During the busy April-October season, we might be unable to service homes outside the purple line. We are likelier to take jobs to the West than jobs further away to the South or East.

Additional Units

For multi-family homes (duplexes and apartment buildings), extra units can be added for $50 for single services or $100 for multi-visit service plans (per additional unit).

Add-on Services/ Multiple Pest Treatments

Customers can purchase multiple services to be performed during the same visit. When bundled, receive 20% off the lesser service. An example of this is mouse control coupled with an ant treatment.

Arrival Window

Allow an arrival window of a half-hour before and after your scheduled appointment time.

Appointment Reminders

Depending on your service, you should receive an email/ text reminder 3 days or 1 day before your scheduled service. However, our software sometimes fails to send these reminders. You are responsible for keeping track of any appointments that you plan.

Missed Appointments

For initial/ single services, if we arrive at the job site and cannot gain access to the property (if required), there will be an $80 missed appointment fee. This must be paid before scheduling any future service.
If access is required but not provided for any follow-up visit, the warranty becomes void and counts as one of the follow-up visits. In this case, extra visits can be purchased within the 60 or 90-day service period for 1/3 of the original cost.
Follow-up visits must be scheduled within the service period (60 or 90 days). It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure all visits are scheduled.
As with all appointments, allow an arrival time of half an hour before and after the scheduled appointment time. We wait for unavailable customers for 15 minutes before counting the visit as a missed appointment.

Warranty Service/ Service Period

Most pest control services have a warranty or come with half-price follow-up services within 60 days. Except for rats and wildlife, please allow two weeks for control before requesting follow-up service (one week for ants).

Most pesticides have a residual, which means they keep working after they dry. The average lifespan of a residual pesticide application is 20 days. Most of our pesticides cannot be reapplied for 2-4 weeks.
Pests also have a lifecycle, which means it can take time to see results. For example, sprays don’t kill newly laid bed bug eggs. Likewise, flea pupae are immune to most pesticides. It can take two weeks for ant and yellowjacket colonies to collapse.
If ants go away after the treatment, but return within the warranty period, please allow 3-5 days before requesting a follow-up. The new ants often encounter the previously applied product and dissipate a few days later. If we have left you with a bait station, please place this device where you see the activity.

Different pests are active during certain times of the year, and pesticide applications only last so long. This is why we offer maintenance plans to manage your pests year-round.

We will inform the customer during the initial service if sanitation or other factors compromise the warranty.

Preparation For Service

For any pesticide application, keep children and pets out of the treatment area until the treatment has dried/ settled out of the air. Depending on the application, this can take 45 minutes to 4 hours.
Please secure dogs so they cannot physically contact our technicians.
It is the customer’s responsibility to provide all responsible parties (tenants) with the preparation guidelines. They are also responsible for providing access and ensuring occupants are ready to vacate the premises if needed.
Please follow all customer preparation guidelines and instructions. For more details, see the section related to your service.

Chemical Sensitivity

Suppose a customer or other structure(s) occupants believe they are or may be sensitive to pesticides/termiticides or their odors. In that case, the customer must notify Lakewood Exterminating LLC in writing before service, including whether the customer or other occupants have consulted with a medical doctor or other healthcare provider regarding such sensitivity. Upon receipt of such notification, Lakewood Exterminating LLC reserves the right to deny or terminate service. Failure to provide notification represents the customer’s assumption of risk and waiving of claims against Lakewood Exterminating LLC in connection with such sensitivity.

Invoicing and Payment Options

After completing the service, we will return to our vehicle to write up your invoice. Here, you will find information such as our time on site, weather conditions for exterior pesticide application, inspection findings, materials we used for control and their locations, completed repairs, documented notes, and recommendations. This will be sent to the phone number and email address on file.
We ask that you pay at the time of service. We accept checks, cash, or credit cards. We require a signed invoice and credit card on file if you cannot pay at the time of service. If you are a landlord or responsible party but will not be present for the appointment, please put a card on file during the scheduling process. Payments will be run after the initial service is complete. Receipts are sent via email. If you have used our services with a history of timely payments, you may be invoiced/ pay online. If we invoice you, payment is due in 2 weeks.

Commercial Properties

For large commercial properties and apartments with more than six units, the cost per service starts at $200 per hour of labor- plus materials costing over $30.
Small offices and stores are generally priced the same as homes.
Restaurants and similar establishments require an on-site visit to provide an estimate. There is usually an initial service fee plus a monthly maintenance fee, which starts at $100.
If you are receiving a pesticide application, remember that employees, customers, and other occupants must stay out of the treatment area for a few hours until the spray dries. Our available times for treatments are generally 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Scheduling For Rental Properties

For rentals, the customer is responsible for coordinating with the tenants, providing access upon arrival, giving tenants the preparation guidelines, and ensuring they properly prepare and vacate.
Tenants cannot schedule service without the landlord’s permission. The only exception is if the lease states that pest control is the tenant’s responsibility.
For any rodent or wildlife issue, the customer must be the landlord.
We require a credit card on file if the landlord is absent for the appointment.

Outdoor Spray Season

Exterior Pesticide Treatments are performed from March through November, weather permitting. At all other times, an interior treatment will be applied for most common household pests.

Diagnosing Unknown Pest Problems/Service Call Fee

Many pest problems can be diagnosed over the phone or by email for free. If you are unclear about which service your problem falls under, please email pictures to support@lakewoodexterminating.com. Our owner also provides phone consultations upon request. Please reach out through the contact form on our website to speak with our Owner.

If you require a site visit to diagnose a pest issue, there is a $99 plus tax fee. This includes an inspection/ consultation. A price quote will be provided to remedy problems as needed.

Seal Your Home From Rodents

Getting rid of the rodents in your home is only the first step in getting control of your rodent problem. To truly get rid of rodents for good, you need more than just rodent control; you need to rodent–proof.

When a rodent manages to get into your home, it leaves a trail of pheromones along the way. This trail acts like a map, letting all the other neighborhood rodents know the fastest way to get inside your house. That means that even if you get rid of every rodent inside, you’ll always have more coming in. The only way to truly get rid of your rodents is to block their trail by sealing off your home.

Rodent control services in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mouse Eviction

Getting Rid Of Mice In Your Attic

House mice are crafty and versatile little critters. They’re known for finding ways inside your home that you’d never even dream of — they can climb exterior walls and scurry up wall voids. They make a tunnel system out of your vinyl siding, scaling your house to get in through the soffit. Mice also make themselves at home in your attic insulation.

Our rodent-proofing attacks the problem from all angles. We inspect every inch of your home, top to bottom, and seal off every entry point. This includes using Ridge Guard and Kritter Caps when necessary.

Homes in Westlake and Rocky River are particularly vulnerable to attic infestations. Additionally, not all of these attics are easily accessible. Our team is specially trained in rodent-proofing strategies in these difficult-to-access areas. We’ll often use rodenticide on top of rodent-proofing to make sure you’re fully protected.

Getting Rid Of Mice In Your Basement

First of all mice nest outside underneath our porches. Especially if there is old junk underneath them. Most porches have old construction debris stored there. Consequently an ideal mouse habitat is created. From there, they find gaps along the foundation to enter structures. In conclusion, you should seal along the foundation walls. Especially under porches and decks.

Does your home have an addition? If so, this could be your main source. For a newer part of the home, they surprisingly have a lot of gaps! Not only that, these gaps lead into quiet dark crawlspaces. Make it a priority to rodent-proof additions. Overtime they become contaminated with feces. After exclusion, sanitation measures may help reduce indoor allergens.

Next inspect areas around utilities. This includes water spigots, air conditioning, dryer vents, and the like. Since mice can enter attic ventilation, remember they enter foundation vents too.

Finally make sure gaps underneath siding are sealed. While you are at it inspect around basement windows and below door thresholds too. Most homeowners fail to inspect these areas.

Sound like a lot? That’s because it is. Lakewood Exterminating specializes in mouse-proofing. And for good reason!

How Small of a Hole Can Mice Squeeze Through?

Mice need a gap larger than 1/4″ diameter to squeeze through. Therefore anything larger than a #2 pencil must be sealed. Granted this could cause you to go overboard with exclusion. Make sure the hole actually leads somewhere habitable. Sometimes potential entry points under siding dead end before actually making it inside.

Rat Exclusions

Rat Inspection

Most rats infesting Cleveland, OH homes are called Norway rats. They’re also known as common rats, or sewer rats, because they love to live and travel in sewers and drainage systems in and around family homes. These rats are well-adapted to life below ground level. They nest in burrows — the soft, damp soil underneath porches and decks is ideal for rat shelter.

In order to successfully control your rat problem, you have to first figure out where they’re coming from. Are they nesting outside, and then finding a hole or gap to get in? Or are they getting inside directly through your sewer or drainage system? Regardless of their points of entry, getting rid of rats can be difficult. After all, you can’t very well shut off your entire drainage system! That’s why most homeowners choose to call in a professional.

Getting Rid Of Rats In Basements

Once rats find their way inside your home, trapping them is the most effective way to get rid of them. For the most part, if the rats are contained to crawlspaces and porches, soft bait can be very effective. Additionally, we’ve had success with Tracking powder, exterior rodent stations, and burrow baiting.

Sealing off your home from rats is very similar to sealing it off from mice. However, you’ll also need to assess your sewer system if you have a rat problem. A professional plumber is your best bet for this kind of work. However, there are a few simple fixes you can try yourself.

First, seal your downspout drains, as they enter the perimeter drainage system. Next, make sure all drain traps have water in them. Lakewood homes have a lot of random toilet stalls in basements that go ignored and unused. To keep rats from getting in, keep your toilets operable. Similarly, don’t neglect any showers or tubs in your home, and keep your basement floor drains in good shape, too.

Finally, the one thing that most rat-infested homes have in common is an open laundry drain. This is a favorite entry point for rats, but it’s easily fixed. Get yourself a drain strainer — problem solved!

How Small of a Hole Can Norway Rats Squeeze Through?

Norway rats need a bit more berth than mice — they can squeeze through gaps larger than ½” diameter. Unlike mice, Norway rats prefer not to climb to enter structures. Instead, they enter at or below ground level.