Why Exclusion Works (And Poison Doesn't)

Here's what most pest control companies won't tell you: poison creates a cycle, not a solution.

 

Kill the rats inside, and new rats smell the old scent trails and follow them right back in. You pay again. And again. Meanwhile, poisoned rats die in your walls, creating odors—and every owl, hawk, and neighborhood cat that eats a poisoned rat gets poisoned too. It's estimated that 80-100% of tested predatory wildlife in Florida carries rodenticide in their systems.

 

Exclusion stops the cycle permanently. I seal every entry point with steel mesh, commercial sealants, and hardware cloth rated to withstand gnawing. Once sealed, rats can't get back in—period. The scent trails become irrelevant. The problem ends.

 

 

Roof Rats: Florida's Most Common Attic Invader

In Southwest Florida, we deal primarily with roof rats (also called black rats, citrus rats, or palm rats). Unlike Norway rats that burrow underground, roof rats are climbers. They use tree branches, power lines, and fence lines to access your roof, then squeeze through gaps as small as a quarter.

 

Common roof rat entry points I seal:

 

• Soffit gaps and damaged soffit panels

• Ridge vents and gable vents without proper screening

• A/C line penetrations and plumbing stacks

• Gaps where the roof meets the fascia

• Garage door seals and weatherstripping failures

• Foundation vents and crawlspace access points

• Damaged or missing vent screens

 

If there's a way in, I'll find it. And I'll seal it.

 

 

Signs You Have Rats in Your Attic

What homeowners typically notice first:

 

• Scratching, scurrying, or thumping sounds at night (rats are nocturnal)

• Droppings—small, dark, spindle-shaped pellets about ½ inch long

• Gnaw marks on wood, wires, or food packaging

• Greasy rub marks along walls and beams (from their oily fur)

• Nesting materials—shredded insulation, paper, fabric

• Unusual pet behavior (dogs or cats fixating on walls or ceilings)

• Dead rat smell (if they've been poisoned elsewhere and crawled into your home to die)

 

Don't wait. Rats reproduce fast—a single pair can become 20+ in just a few months. They chew electrical wires (fire hazard), contaminate insulation with urine and feces, and carry diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella.

 

 

My Exclusion Process: How It Works

Step 1: Full Property Inspection

 

I inspect your entire home—ground to roof, inside and out. Attic, crawlspace, garage, exterior walls, roofline. I identify every current and potential entry point, active runways, and nesting areas. No rushing. No shortcuts.

 

Step 2: Trapping & One-Way Exclusion

 

I install one-way exclusion doors, cages and traps at primary entry points. Rats inside can exit but can't return. Traps are checked every 24-48 hours—I don't leave animals to suffer.

 

Step 3: Complete Sealing

 

Once the structure is clear, I seal every entry point with professional-grade materials:

 

• Weatherproof stainless steel mesh and hardware cloth (rats can't chew through it)

• Commercial-grade sealants rated for exterior use

• Custom metal work 

• Proper vent screening that allows airflow while blocking access

 

Step 4: Warranty & Follow-Up

 

Every job includes an complete 1 year warranty, renewable annually for $150 with an inspection. If rats get back in through my work, or any additional changes are required, I come back and fix it—no charge.

 

 

What Makes Seal Em Out Different

I'm not a pest control company. I don't spray chemicals. I don't sell monthly contracts. I don't use poison—ever.

 

I'm an exclusion specialist. For 25+ years, I've focused on one thing: sealing structures so pests can't enter. In 2005, I started the first mouse-proofing company in Connecticut. People said it couldn't be done. I proved them wrong.

 

Now I bring those same methods to Southwest Florida, adapted for our unique challenges—roof rats, cane toads, Florida's intense humidity, and building styles that create plenty of entry points.

 

I'm trusted by the biggest names in pest control. Pest Control Companies across Florida call me when they need exclusion done right. If the industry leaders trust my work, you can too.

 

 

Service Area: Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral & Beyond

I serve homeowners throughout Southwest Florida:

 

• Lee County: Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel

• Collier County: Naples, Marco Island, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Ave Maria

• Charlotte County: Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Englewood

• Sarasota County: Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Osprey, Nokomis

 

If you're hearing scratching in the attic or finding rat droppings anywhere from Marco Island to Bradenton, I can help.

 

 

Pricing: Transparent, Fair, No Surprises

I price by linear foot—typically $3.50–$5.00 per linear foot depending on the complexity of the work. You'll get a detailed quote after inspection with no hidden fees.

 

What's included:

 

• Full property inspection

• All trapping and removal

• Complete sealing of all identified entry points

• Commercial-grade materials

• 2-year warranty on all work

 

Most homes fall in the $800–$1,500 range for complete exclusion. Larger properties or severe infestations may be higher. I'll always explain exactly what's needed and why before any work begins.

 

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Stop the Scratching. Schedule Your Free Inspection.

You don't have to live with rats in your attic. You don't have to pay for poison that doesn't work. And you don't have to worry about your pets or local wildlife being harmed.

 

One phone call. One inspection. One permanent solution.

 

📞 Call or Text: (239) 722-8243 📧 Email: sealemout@gmail.com