Table of Contents
Job Overview
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Two-story detached house
Problem: Rat activity inside the home and around the exterior foundation
Service: Rat removal, monitoring, and structural exclusion
Visits: 3
Summary
We completed a three-visit rat removal project at a two-story detached home in Toronto after the homeowner reported rat activity both inside the house and around the exterior foundation. Our licensed exterminator, Richard, confirmed active entry points, implemented an integrated treatment program, and completed extensive exclusion work to prevent future access. The project concluded after monitoring confirmed that rat activity had stopped and all temporary devices were removed.
Background / Property Context
The property had evidence of rat activity affecting both the exterior foundation and the finished basement area. Inspection identified entry points at the foundation where rodents were accessing the structure. Long-term protection required both exterior exclusion and interior structural repairs.
Customer Concern
The homeowner reported hearing and seeing rats inside the home while also observing activity around the exterior foundation. They wanted the infestation addressed while preventing additional rodents from entering the building.
Inspection & Findings
Richard carried out a complete inspection of both the interior and exterior of the property.
Inspection findings included:
- Active rat entry points along the exterior foundation.
- Interior evidence of rodent activity within finished basement wall cavities.
- Open gaps at the base of foundation walls that required structural exclusion.
- Areas requiring removal of finished wall materials to properly seal concealed entry points.
The photographs show a one-way door installed over an active exterior entry point, galvanized steel mesh secured along the foundation, interior wall sections opened to expose the foundation, galvanized mesh installed behind the finished wall, and completed exclusion work before wall restoration. Additional images show the protected entry point following removal of the one-way door.
Cause Analysis
Rats commonly enter homes through small gaps at the foundation where utility penetrations, settlement, or construction joints create accessible openings. Once inside, wall cavities provide protected travel routes throughout the structure. Permanent exclusion at both exterior and interior entry locations helps prevent future access while supporting long-term rodent control.
Treatment / Removal
During the initial visit, Richard confirmed active rat activity and completed treatment using an integrated control approach.
Work completed included:
- Placement of large weighted tamper-resistant exterior bait stations containing commercial-grade rodenticide.
- Placement of commercial-grade snap traps indoors to reduce activity while helping prevent rodents from dying inside wall cavities.
- Inspection and identification of two primary entry points requiring exclusion.
All rodenticide applications were performed by a licensed exterminator in accordance with Ontario Ministry of the Environment guidelines.
Exclusion & Repairs
Following approval of the exclusion proposal, we returned to complete permanent repairs.
Work included:
- Installation of a rat one-way door over the primary exterior entry point.
- Installation of approximately 16 feet of underground galvanized steel mesh using trenching methods to prevent future burrowing beneath the foundation.
- Removal of approximately 10 feet of interior drywall to access the foundation wall.
- Installation of galvanized steel mesh along the base of the wall to permanently block rodent access.
- Cleaning of affected areas using a HEPA-filtered vacuum and hospital-grade disinfectants before exclusion was completed.
During the final visit, the one-way door was removed, the remaining opening was permanently sealed, and the completed exclusion work was inspected.
Outcome & Confirmation
At the final visit, the homeowner reported no further sounds or signs of rat activity inside or outside the home. The one-way door was removed, all exclusion measures were confirmed to be secure, and no additional rodent activity was reported.
Technician Notes
Richard completed the inspection, treatment, monitoring, and exclusion work across three visits. Permanent structural exclusion included underground galvanized steel mesh at the exterior foundation and reinforced mesh installation behind the interior basement wall. Monitoring confirmed successful removal before the one-way door was removed and the final entry point sealed.