What is exclusion and why does it cost so much?
Exclusion means rodent-proofing the structure. It takes hours of careful work around a Dover home, often in tight or high spots. The price reflects labor, not materials. It is the part of the job that turns a temporary fix into a lasting one, which is why Dover providers push it.
What does a rodent inspection involve?
a rodent inspection in Dover covers the outside first: foundation, vents, rooflines, utility penetrations, and doors. Then they check attics, crawlspaces, and garages for droppings and nests. You should leave with entry points listed and a priced plan.
How do I know if I have mice or rats?
Size is the tell. Mouse droppings are rice-sized and pointed; rat droppings are raisin-sized. In Dover homes, mice are usually in the kitchen and walls, while rats tend to be in the attic, crawlspace, or garage. Rat gnaw marks are larger, and their rub marks are heavier.
Do I need to replace attic insulation?
Sometimes. If the rodents were in your Dover attic for a season or more, the insulation is likely soaked and holding odor that will keep attracting new rodents. Short-term activity usually means spot cleanup rather than full replacement. Ask for photos of the affected areas.
Can I just seal the holes myself?
Ground-level gaps are a reasonable DIY project. Door sweeps, pipe gaps, and dryer vent covers are hardware-store fixes. Roofline gaps, attic vents, and crawlspace openings in Dover homes are harder to reach and easier to miss, and those are where most rodents actually get in.
How many homes have a full rodent infestation?
One figure Dover homeowners tend to underestimate: in the National Pest Management Association's (NPMA) September 2022 Harris Poll of more than 1,300 U.S. homeowners, 14% reported a multiple-rodent infestation over their lifetime, far fewer than the 37% who recalled a single animal. If you are in Dover, use this as a starting point for questions rather than a prediction for your home.
Do homes with rodents usually have other pests too?
Often enough to matter. Dover is not an outlier on this point: two point nine million occupied U.S. homes reported seeing both rodents and cockroaches in the previous 12 months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 American Housing Survey (AHS), a count of reported sightings and signs rather than confirmed infestations. Providers serving Dover should be able to explain how their recommendation fits what they actually found on your property.