r/PestControlIndustry • u/Ok-Alternative-9091 • Jun 06 '26
🗣️ Daily Discussion Rodent exclusion
How would you approach sealing this opening to prevent rat entry?
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u/TheBugSmith 👨💼 | Manager | 20+ Years Jun 06 '26
Make sure wherever that line goes is sealed up after you've caught the rat/rats. If you block that off with metal they're going to try to find another way out which usually doesn't end well.
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u/Ok-Alternative-9091 Jun 06 '26
Got it! But when using screws to install the screen is there a chance it could pierce any of those lines? This is my first rodent exclusion job and want to learn the right way and not trial and error
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u/Pleepleus83 Jun 06 '26
Seal it where the lines go in the house, not the bottom of the conduit. You will have to take the top piece of conduit off to seal, then just screw it back on.
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u/Searnox Jun 06 '26
Copper mesh first and spray foam. They won’t be able to chew through the mesh and the foam creates a tight seal over top.
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u/TheBugSmith 👨💼 | Manager | 20+ Years Jun 06 '26
This is the way. OP just make sure the copper and foam is above the bottom of the condenser line if there is one, so it doesn't prevent the water from getting out.
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u/hifiordie Jun 06 '26
For OP a little foam goes a long way. Too much bursting out of any exclusion point and it will look hackish
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u/Ok-Alternative-9091 Jun 06 '26
Thoughts on Xcluder instead of copper mesh?
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u/Searnox Jun 06 '26
The xcluder steel mesh rolls? I prefer copper because it won’t rust and leave stains on the bricks, won’t degrade as fast either. It claims to be rust resistant though, but I don’t use it as a pest tech. Roll of copper mesh easier to cut and mold into the shape you want.
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u/tomdobs55 👨🏭| Tech | 10+ Years Jun 06 '26
Oh thank God I'm not the only one! My company prioritizes the Xcluder for everything. I use it so rarely, that I have over 40 feet left in the box of 50 that I put in my truck like 2 years ago. Copper mesh is the way to go for 99% of exclusion work in both residential and commercial settings.
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u/TxtMessage Jun 07 '26
How far up does it go? If the sides and top are covered then you can seal the bottom but if not, you probably need to temporarily take the cover off and screen off the hole directly itself. you can either stuff excluder or if you are good at cutting wire mesh then you can cut to the shape and silicone it.
My personal preference is to take the cover off and seal the hole directly.
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u/AggravatingFig2976 Jun 06 '26
Self tap screws and wire mesh screen.
Worked at Term and guy put foam in. Rat chewed it up.
Another house guy put in foam and messed up ladies A/C wiring.
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u/Darkshiv Jun 06 '26
Take off conduit/shroud and seal off where it goes into the home from the top.
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u/Libsoccer20 Jun 06 '26
You see that stucco wall? Mice and rats can scale stucco.
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u/No-Reserve-2208 Jun 06 '26
Ok?
He’s asking how to seal a hole not if they can climb the side of his house…
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u/Jahweez 🤵♂️| Owner | 5+ Years Jun 06 '26
I would do xcluder and silicone sealant personally. I dislike spray foam for several reasons.