Exclusion Service
Getting rid of a pest problem is only part of the job. If insects, rodents, or birds still have an easy way into the property, the problem can return. Pest exclusion is the preventative side of pest control. It focuses on finding the places pests are getting in and closing off those routes whenever possible.
At Uptown Pest Control, exclusion is part of many of the services we provide. Pests can fit through surprisingly small cracks and crevices around pipes, utility lines, walls, floors, doors, and other structural openings.
We inspect for vulnerable spots, treat the active problem, and seal the entrances we identify. In multi-unit buildings, the goal is often to isolate your residence as much as possible from the rest of the building so pests have fewer ways to move into your space.
Why Pest Exclusion Matters
Treating an infestation handles the pests that are there now. Exclusion addresses one of the reasons they were able to get there in the first place.
A mouse can be removed, but another may enter through the same opening. Cockroaches can be treated inside an apartment, but gaps around plumbing or walls may continue to provide a route into the unit. Birds can be driven away from a ledge, but if the area remains easy to use for nesting or roosting, they may return.
Depending on what we find, exclusion may involve sealing cracks and gaps, reinforcing vulnerable areas, installing underground barriers, or using bird spikes and netting.
Rodent Exclusion For Apartments and Homes
Rodents are very good at finding small openings. In apartment buildings, they may travel behind walls, around plumbing lines, through utility penetrations, or between adjoining spaces. In homes, they can take advantage of gaps along the exterior and other weak points in the structure.
We inspect the areas where activity has been found, identify likely entry points, and seal or reinforce them. This is especially useful in apartment buildings, where rodents may be moving through other parts of the property. Reducing the openings that connect your living space to surrounding areas can provide added protection beyond trapping or treatment alone.
Rodent Exclusion for Yards
Rodent problems can also develop outdoors. Rats and other rodents may burrow into lawns and landscaped areas, creating an ongoing problem even when they have not entered the home. For these situations, Uptown Pest Control can use a combination of treatment and physical exclusion. We first work to eliminate the active problem through multiple lawn treatments. We then dig approximately 8 to 12 inches into the lawn and install steel mesh below ground. Rock is placed over the mesh to reinforce the barrier and make it more difficult for rodents to burrow back into the protected area.
After the work is finished, we replant the grass and plants so the lawn can return to a natural, finished appearance. The goal is to solve the current problem and make it much harder for rodents to reclaim the same space.
Bird Exclusion for Buildings
Birds can become a persistent nuisance when they begin nesting or roosting around awnings, pipes, gutters, ledges, and other protected areas. Droppings and nesting material can build up below these locations and create a mess around entrances, patios, walkways, and living areas.
Depending on the property, we may recommend bird spikes, netting, or a combination of methods. Bird spikes make a surface difficult for birds to land on rather than trap them. Netting can block birds from entering or settling into larger protected spaces.
When installed correctly, both methods can be used without harming the birds. We choose the approach based on the structure and where the birds are gathering.
A More Complete Approach to Pest Control
Exclusion works best as part of a complete pest control plan. Sealing an opening without addressing an active infestation may leave pests inside. Treating pests without addressing obvious entry points can leave the property vulnerable to another infestation.
Uptown Pest Control treats the active pest issue, then addresses the cracks, gaps, burrows, nesting areas, or other access points that are contributing to it.
If you are dealing with recurring rodents, insects moving into an apartment, rodents burrowing in the yard, or birds repeatedly nesting around your property, pest exclusion can help address the source of the problem instead of only reacting to what you see.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pest Exclusion
Q: Do I need exclusion if the pests have already been treated?
A: Often, yes. Treatment addresses the pests that are active now, while exclusion helps reduce the chance of new pests entering through the same routes. The two services frequently work together.
Q: Can exclusion help keep pests from entering my apartment from other units?
A: It can help. We inspect for cracks, gaps, pipe openings, and other access points that may connect your living space to other parts of the building. Sealing those areas can reduce the ways pests move into your unit.
Q: Are bird spikes and bird netting safe for birds?
A: When properly selected and installed, bird spikes and netting are designed to discourage birds from landing, roosting, or entering an area rather than injuring them. The right method depends on the structure and where the birds are gathering.