Table of Contents
Job Overview
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Two-story, detached house
Problem: Rat activity in the interior and exterior
Service: Rat removal and foundation exclusion
Visits: 3
Summary
A homeowner in Toronto reported rat activity both inside the house and around the exterior. During the initial visit, our technician confirmed the activity and inspected the structure for possible entry points.
The service combined exterior rodenticide stations, interior snap traps, and structural exclusion. A one-way door was installed at the identified foundation entry point, and approximately six feet of foundation gaps were secured with galvanized steel mesh. By the third visit, the homeowner was no longer hearing or seeing rat activity.
Background / Property Context
The property was a two-story detached house with exterior siding, brick sections, landscaped areas, and soil immediately adjacent to portions of the foundation.
The inspection photographs documented accessible areas along the lower perimeter of the house. Soil was excavated where necessary to expose conditions at the foundation and allow the identified openings to be addressed.
Customer Concern
The homeowner reported rats on the property as well as activity inside the house. Our team was asked to address the active rodent problem and determine how rats were gaining access to the structure.
Because activity had been reported on both sides of the building envelope, the service included interior control measures as well as an exterior inspection and exclusion work.
Inspection & Findings
Richard confirmed rat activity and inspected the property for entry points. The inspection identified an opening that rats were using to gain access beneath the foundation, along with additional gaps requiring exclusion.
Photographs from the exterior show exposed soil along the foundation and openings beneath the lower edge of the structure. These conditions corresponded with the areas addressed during the exclusion phase.
Cause Analysis
Foundation-level openings can provide rats with access beneath a structure, particularly where soil and landscaping meet the building perimeter. Once beneath the foundation, rodents may be able to move through protected structural spaces and reach interior areas.
In this case, the identified foundation entry point and adjacent gaps required physical exclusion in addition to the initial rodent-control treatment.
Treatment / Removal
Our licensed exterminator performed the pest-control treatment in accordance with Ontario Ministry of the Environment guidelines.
Large weighted, tamper-resistant bait stations containing commercial-grade rodenticide were placed on the exterior. Inside the house, commercial-grade baited snap traps were positioned in areas of high activity.
Following the inspection, the homeowner received a recommendation for exclusion of the identified entry points.
Exclusion & Repairs
After the exclusion work was approved, our team installed a rat one-way door at the active foundation entry point. This provided a non-trapping exit while the surrounding access conditions were being addressed.
Approximately six feet of foundation gaps were then excluded using galvanized steel mesh. The photographs document excavation along sections of the foundation and the exclusion materials used at the affected areas.
Outcome & Confirmation
At the third visit, the homeowner reported that rat activity was no longer being heard or seen.
Our team removed the one-way door, inspected the exclusion, and permanently sealed the remaining entry point. No further rat activity was reported at the completion of the three-visit service.
Technician Notes
Richard identified the foundation-level access conditions during the initial inspection and used a combination of population-control measures and structural exclusion to address the problem.
The one-way door allowed the active foundation opening to be managed before final closure. Once activity had ceased, the device was removed and the entry point was sealed, completing the exclusion.