Why exclusion beats chemicals
Every pest in your home entered through a gap — and gaps do not develop resistance, do not wash away in rain, and do not need reapplication. A tube of sealant and an afternoon can do more permanent good than a year of spraying. Professional exclusion just does it thoroughly: finding gaps you would never notice and sealing them with materials pests cannot defeat.
The roofline: the rodent highway
Soffit returns, roof-to-wall junctions, gable vents, and ridge gaps — this is where rats and squirrels enter, and where most homeowners never look. Seal with steel mesh and metal flashing, never foam alone (rodents chew through foam overnight). Trim tree limbs back from the roof while you are at it.
Doors and windows: the everyday entries
Worn door sweeps, degraded weatherstripping, and garage door seals are the number-one entry for palmetto bugs and ants. Hold a flashlight outside a closed exterior door at night — if you see light inside, pests see a doorway. Replacing sweeps and seals is cheap, fast, and disproportionately effective.
Pipes, wires, and utilities: the hidden highways
Every pipe and wire entering your home — under sinks, behind the washing machine, at the AC unit, where cables enter — should be sealed with copper mesh and sealant or metal escutcheons. These penetrations are how German roaches travel between apartments and how mice enter kitchens.
Vents and chimneys: cap them
Dryer vents, bath fan vents, and chimneys without caps are open invitations for birds, rodents, and wildlife. Proper vent covers (that still vent) and chimney caps close these without creating new problems.
The foundation: the termite line
Slab cracks, expansion joints, and anywhere wood touches soil deserve attention — these are subterranean termite entries. Keep mulch and soil below the siding line, and make sure irrigation is not pooling against the foundation.
Want it done professionally? Our free inspection includes a full entry-point map of your home.