Integrated Pest Management, IPM for short, is a philosophy that stresses the use of all methods of pest control with the use of chemical treatments as just one important tool in the kit, and perhaps not the most important tool, at that.

A key toward reducing the amount of pesticides used in our environment is through pest prevention.  Exclusion, or ‘build-out’ is a mechanical control method for keeping pests out of areas they are not wanted.  It is extremely green. 

With some pests, like rats, mice, or squirrels, if you do not perform exclusion, you are almost certain of future infestations.

In this home I was dealing, once again, with squirrels in the walls, and squirrels in the roof, or attic.  Another not so typical case of squirrel removal.  First step, live trap the squirrels, and then work to keep future squirrels from moving in.

Here is one more unusual area for rat, squirrel, mouse exclusion.  The chimney of this home has settled in such a way that it has separated from the home.  A mason or chimney expert may be able to anchor the chimney and keep it from separating any further.

I was asked to rodent proof the gap, post haste.  After discarding the use of flashing, since the chimney incorporated rock and brick, making the surface area highly irregular, I settled on heavy duty 1/4 inch metal screen.

The owners of this home were worried about cost factors so we skipped a couple of steps that might have made this application more secure.  I recommended but was over ruled, the use of high quality, high strength mortar, to fill in the screen, and to make it adhere more strongly to the chimney.  Instead I used some ready made concrete patch that should work.  It will dry darker and more similar in color to the chimney in time.

Years and years of experience have made us experts in getting rid of rodents. Regardless of how you feel about rats, mice, and squirrels, in general, no one wants them inside their homes, chewing on electrical wiring, making huge messes in their attics and crawlspaces.

You can find more info on rodent control, pest prevention, and our company at www.safepest.org.  Feel free to email us with questions service@safepest.org, or call us at 1-877-743-1896