Rodent Proofing: How It Works & What Gets Sealed
Professional rodent proofing across South & West Yorkshire, with local pages for Sheffield and Leeds.
Rodents keep coming back? Apex finds, shows and seals exactly how they get in.
BPCA certified · CRRU compliant · 12-month guarantee against re-entry · No call-out fee · 7 days a week
At a Glance
- Service
- Rodent Proofing
- Provider
- Apex Pest Control Ltd
- Locations
- Sheffield, Leeds, Rotherham & Barnsley
- Targets
- Brown rat, house mouse & grey squirrel
- Guarantee
- 12 months against re-entry
- Credentials
- BPCA certified · CRRU compliant · £5M insured
Rodent Proofing: Stopping Rats and Mice Getting In
Apex Pest Control Ltd carries out rodent proofing — also called exclusion or structural pest control — across South and West Yorkshire. Rodent proofing means finding and sealing the access points that rats and mice use, and it is the most effective long-term rodent control measure there is.
The house mouse (Mus musculus) can squeeze through a gap of just 6mm — about the width of a pencil — and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) needs only around 20mm and will gnaw to enlarge it. Apex Pest Control Ltd seals these gaps so the rodents cannot get back in.
Sealing the entry points is what ends the problem for good, which is why Apex Pest Control Ltd treats proofing as the first line of defence in integrated pest management, not an afterthought.
Proofing Profile
Where Do Rats and Mice Get In?
Apex Pest Control Ltd is called out across South and West Yorkshire to homes and businesses where rodents keep returning — almost always through gaps the owner cannot see. These are the entry points the team checks and seals.
Gaps around pipes & cables
Service penetrations where water, gas, waste and cables enter the building — a common gap for both rats and mice, sealed with steel mesh and sealant.
Air bricks & vents
Damaged or uncovered air bricks and vents are an open door. Apex Pest Control covers air bricks with fine steel mesh that still lets them breathe.
Drains & soil pipes
Brown rats travel the drainage system and enter through broken or uncapped drains — the most underestimated route, checked with a CCTV drain survey where needed.
Gaps under doors
Worn thresholds and ill-fitting doors let mice straight in. The team fits brush strips and door seals to close the gap.
Eaves, rooflines & gables
Mice and rats climb and enter at roof level, lofts, soffits and gable ends — often missed by DIY proofing at ground level.
Cavity walls & floor voids
Structural gaps in brickwork, damp-proof courses, cable runs and under floors, sealed with cement, mesh and proofing sealant.
Why Proofing Matters More Than Poison Alone
Apex Pest Control Ltd proofs properties because treatment alone does not stop the next rodent walking in. Sealing the entry points is what ends the problem for good. Most firms seal the obvious brickwork but never check the drains, where the BPCA reports around 80% of home rat infestations originate — so Apex traces every route, drainage included, and shows you where they’re getting in.
Re-infestation
Clear the rodents without proofing and new ones follow the same scent trails straight back in through the gaps left open.
Fire risk
Rats and mice gnaw electrical cables, and chewed wiring in walls and lofts is a recognised cause of house and business fires.
Contamination & disease
Rodents spread Salmonella and other bacteria through droppings and urine — a serious risk in kitchens and food businesses.
Structural & stock damage
Gnawing damages pipes, insulation, doors and stored goods, and the damage spreads the longer the gaps are left open.
How Apex Pest Control Proofs Your Property
Apex Pest Control Ltd follows a proven rodent proofing process, carried out by BPCA-certified, CRRU-compliant technicians who find the gaps you cannot see.
Survey & inspection
The technician inspects inside and out to find every active and potential entry point, including pipework, air bricks, eaves and drains; a CCTV drain survey is used where rats are getting in below ground.
Proof & seal
Each gap is sealed with the right material: stainless steel mesh and wire wool for larger gaps, proofing sealant and cement for smaller ones, bristle strips and seals for doors, and covers for air bricks. Expanding foam is never used on its own, because rodents gnaw straight through it.
Treat any active infestation
Where rats or mice are already inside, Apex Pest Control Ltd clears them with CRRU-compliant rodenticide and trapping first, so proofing seals an empty property — proofing is the first line of defence in integrated pest management.
Verify & guarantee
The team checks the work and, when proofing is carried out with rat or mouse treatment, backs it with a 12-month guarantee against re-entry for customers who complete the full treatment plan.
The rodent proofing survey is free; because the price depends on how many entry points your property has, it is quoted and confirmed before any work begins — no call-out fee, all plus VAT.
What Our Customers Say
"We called Tom after reading the positive reviews. He assessed our property and gave us a plan to sort the rats in the garden — we haven’t seen any since. Would highly recommend."
"From the first phone call to clearing rats from mine and next door’s — faultless service from Tony. He found how they were getting in, sealed it, and was very reassuring."
"Tony was very knowledgeable, professional and polite. He didn’t even need to carry out treatment — he advised me how to deal with the problem, which was very comforting. I strongly recommend them."
Rated 4.9/5 from 110+ reviews across our Google (Sheffield & Barnsley) and Trustpilot profiles.
Transparent Pricing
How Much Does Rodent Proofing Cost?
A free survey first, because the price depends on how many entry points your property has. Fixed price confirmed before any work begins.
Survey
Free
price quoted after survey · all + VAT · no call-out fee
- Full internal and external entry-point survey
- Fixed price confirmed before any work begins
- Included free in every rat and mouse treatment from £160 +VAT
- 12-month guarantee against re-entry with rodent treatment
Every job is quoted upfront — the price you are given is the price you pay, all plus VAT, with no call-out fee. Contact us for a free survey.
Why Choose Apex for Rodent Proofing?
Apex Pest Control Ltd is a BPCA-certified, family-run Yorkshire business, CRRU compliant and Killgerm BASIS registered for rodent control. Founder Tony Johnson has 40 years' experience in pest control, forestry and wildlife management.
BPCA Certified & CRRU Compliant
Every technician holds current BPCA certification and works to the CRRU code — the recognised UK standards for professional rodent control.
Lantra Advanced Rodent Control
Apex Pest Control Ltd holds Lantra Advanced Rodent Control training, held by founder Tony Johnson — proofing and exclusion done to a professional, audited standard.
12-Month Guarantee Against Re-Entry
When proofing is carried out with rat or mouse treatment, Apex Pest Control Ltd backs the work with a 12-month guarantee against re-entry.
Named Local Technician
A local technician who knows Yorkshire properties, covering Sheffield, Leeds, Rotherham and Barnsley — the same person from survey to sign-off.
Fixed Price, No Call-Out Fee
A free survey, then a fixed price confirmed before any work begins. No call-out charge and no surprise fees — the price quoted is the price paid.
Available 7 Days a Week
Monday to Friday 08:00–19:00 and Saturday to Sunday 08:00–13:00. Rodent problems do not keep office hours.
Where Do We Provide Rodent Proofing?
Apex Pest Control Ltd provides rodent proofing across South and West Yorkshire from four local offices. Choose your nearest area for local availability — or see landlord and commercial cover below.
Rodent Proofing for Landlords, HMOs & Businesses
Apex Pest Control Ltd proofs rental properties, HMOs, restaurants, warehouses, care homes and food businesses across South and West Yorkshire, with a written proofing report for your records. Proofing evidence supports the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 landlord duty and BRCGS and EHO audits.
Pest Intelligence
Rodent Proofing — Facts & Common Myths
Understanding how rats and mice get in explains why professional proofing works where DIY foam and poison alone do not.
Rodent Proofing — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often. If yours is not listed, call us on 0114 349 1098.
Seal Them Out for Good
Tired of rats or mice finding their way back in? Apex Pest Control Ltd proofs homes and businesses across South and West Yorkshire, sealing every entry point with a 12-month guarantee against re-entry, no call-out fee, 7 days a week.