​As desert nights get cooler, rats and mice may seek shelter in attics, garages, and other protected spaces. But rodent problems aren't limited to fall and winter. These pests remain active year-round, and even small openings around a house can give them a way inside.

Professional rodent exclusion helps close off those access points before they lead to an infestation.

Northwest Exterminating provides rodent exclusion services throughout the Phoenix metro, Tucson, and Southern Arizona. Our team identifies vulnerable areas around homes and installs physical barriers that help prevent rats and mice from getting inside.

broken clay roof

​What Is Rodent Exclusion?

Rodent exclusion, also called rodent-proofing, is the process of identifying and closing openings that rats and mice can use to enter a home.

Unlike trapping and other control methods that address rodents already present, exclusion focuses on limiting access to the structure.

Professional exclusion can be completed before an infestation develops or combined with rodent control when rats or mice are already inside.

Where Do Rodents Get Into Phoenix and Tucson Homes?

Rats and mice don't need large openings to enter a house. According to the CDC, mice can squeeze through holes as small as ¼ inch wide.

In Phoenix and Tucson, common areas that may need exclusion work include:

  • Tile roofs and rooflines: Openings beneath roof tile edges, gaps where roofing meets exterior walls, and damaged areas around fascia boards can provide access to attic spaces.
  • Attic vents, eaves, and soffits: Damaged screening and openings around these areas can allow rodents to enter.
  • Garage doors: Worn weatherstripping and gaps along the bottom or corners of the garage doors can give rodents a way inside.
  • Utility connections: Openings around plumbing, electrical lines, air conditioning connections, and other exterior penetrations can provide access.
  • Exterior walls and foundations: Unsealed cracks, damaged materials, and gaps around doors and windows can create additional entry opportunities.

Roof rats are particularly skilled climbers. They can travel along fences, tree branches, and utility lines to reach a home's upper exterior.

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension confirms that roof rats are well established in some Arizona neighborhoods and recommends pest-proofing buildings to help keep them out.

Pack rats and house mice can also take advantage of openings around garages, foundations, and other parts of a home.

Because different rodents can use different access points, a professional inspection is helpful for identifying vulnerabilities that aren't immediately obvious.

What Does Professional Rodent Exclusion Include?

Professional rodent exclusion involves more than sealing a few visible gaps. The work must account for the home's construction, potential entry points, and the materials needed to address them.

Northwest Exterminating's professional rodent exclusion service includes:

1. A thorough inspection

Our technicians inspect the structure to identify potential rodent entry points, gaps, and other vulnerable areas. Depending on the home, this may include inspecting the roofline, foundation perimeter, exterior walls, garage, and accessible attic spaces.

2. Installation of exclusion materials

Once we've identified areas requiring attention, we select materials appropriate for the openings and your home's construction.

These may include weather stripping, screening, netting, expanding cloth, caulking, and other physical barriers. Larger or vulnerable openings may require reinforced materials rather than sealant alone.

3. A quality assurance inspection

After the recommended materials have been installed, we inspect the completed work to confirm it has been properly performed.

Northwest offers these services through its Desert Guard program. Installed exclusion materials are backed by a one-year warranty covering replacement materials and labor.

Can Rodent Exclusion Get Rid of Rats or Mice Already Inside?

No. Rodent exclusion helps prevent additional rats and mice from entering, but it doesn't eliminate those already inside your home.

If you're hearing scratching in the attic, finding droppings in the garage, or noticing other signs of rodents, the existing activity needs to be addressed along with the entry points.

Sealing openings without accounting for rodents already inside could leave them trapped in an attic, wall, or another enclosed space.

Northwest Exterminating can evaluate the situation and recommend an appropriate combination of rodent control and exclusion services.

How Rodent Exclusion and SMART Monitoring Work Together

Rodent exclusion is one way to help protect your home, but Northwest Exterminating also offers ongoing rodent protection through our SMARTDefense and SMARTDefense Complete pest control plans.

These plans include Anticimex SMART digital rodent monitoring, which uses connected technology to monitor rodent activity around the clock.

When activity is detected, the system communicates information to Northwest Exterminating, helping our technicians identify potential rodent problems and determine where attention is needed.

While rodent exclusion addresses physical entry points, SMART monitoring helps identify rodent activity so problems can be addressed.

Exclusion is offered separately from our ongoing pest control plans, but the services can complement one another for homeowners who want additional protection.

How Much Does Rodent Exclusion Cost?

The cost of professional rodent exclusion depends on your home's construction, the number and location of potential entry points, and the materials needed to address them.

For example, a home with multiple roofline openings requiring specialized materials may need more extensive work than one with a few accessible gaps around garage doors or utility connections.

Northwest Exterminating can inspect your home, explain the recommended exclusion work, and provide an estimate based on your property's needs.

Get Help With Rodent Exclusion in Phoenix, Tucson, and Southern Arizona

Whether you've dealt with rodents before or want to address vulnerable openings before they become a problem, Northwest Exterminating can help.

Our professional exclusion services help reduce the opportunities rats and mice have to enter your home.

Don't wait until rodents find their way inside. Request a free consultation today to learn more about rodent exclusion for your property.

Originally published October 30, 2025. Updated October 17, 2026, with expanded information about professional rodent exclusion, Arizona rodent entry points, and Northwest Exterminating's services.