Rodent Proofing Leicester: What Actually Works (And What It Costs)

You've paid for rat or mouse treatment. The pest controller cleared the infestation. Two months later, they're back. Sound familiar?

Here's the truth: killing rats and mice is easy. Keeping them out permanently is hard. Most Leicester pest control companies treat the symptoms (kill the rodents) but ignore the cause (how they're getting in).

This guide explains what rodent proofing actually is, what works, what doesn't, and what it costs to keep rats and mice out of your Leicester property for good.

Why Rodent Treatment Alone Doesn't Work

Here's what happens when you don't proof your property:

1. You call a pest controller because you've seen rats or mice

2. They lay bait and traps and kill the rodents (this works)

3. The rodents are gone (for now)

4. Two months later, new rodents move in through the same entry points

5. You call the pest controller again and pay again

6. Repeat forever (or until you proof the property)

Why this happens: Rats and mice don't live in your property by accident. They're there because:

• There's food (crumbs, bins, pet food, bird feeders)

• There's shelter (warm, dry, safe from predators)

• There's access (gaps, holes, broken vents, damaged brickwork)

If you remove the rodents but don't remove the access, new rodents will move in. It's that simple.

What Is Rodent Proofing?

Rodent proofing (also called rodent exclusion) is the process of sealing all entry points to prevent rats and mice from entering your property.

How small a gap can rodents squeeze through?

• Mice: 6mm (size of a pencil)

• Rats: 15mm (size of a £1 coin)

If you can fit a pencil or a £1 coin through a gap, a rodent can get through it.

Common entry points:

• Gaps around pipes (water, gas, drainage)

• Airbricks and vents (damaged or missing grilles)

• Gaps under doors (especially external and garage doors)

• Holes in brickwork or mortar (caused by weathering or building work)

• Gaps around cables and utility entry points

• Damaged roof soffits and fascias

• Gaps in cavity walls

• Broken or missing drain covers

• Gaps around window frames

A typical Leicester terraced house has 10-20 potential entry points. A commercial warehouse can have 50-100+.

VPS Ltd Rodent Proofing Prices (Leicester, 2025)

Here's what we charge for rodent proofing. Real prices, not estimates:

Residential Proofing (Per Entry Point)

• Small gap (pipe entry, cable hole): £40-£60

• Medium gap (airbrick, vent, door gap): £60-£90

• Large gap (hole in wall, damaged soffit): £90-£150

• Complex proofing (cavity wall, drainage, height access): £150-£300+

Commercial Proofing (Per Entry Point)

• Small gap: £50-£80

• Medium gap: £80-£120

• Large gap: £120-£200

• Complex proofing: £200-£500+

Full Property Proofing Surveys

• Residential property (terraced/semi): £300-£800 (typically 5-15 entry points)

• Residential property (detached/large): £600-£1,500 (typically 10-25 entry points)

• Small commercial property (shop, small office): £500-£1,200

• Medium commercial property (warehouse, restaurant): £1,000-£3,000

• Large commercial property (factory, distribution centre): £3,000-£10,000+

What's Included in Proofing?

• Full property survey (internal and external)

• Identification of all entry points

• Proofing using appropriate materials (mesh, expanding foam, mortar, metal plates, door sweeps, etc.)

• Written report with photos (commercial properties)

• Guarantee (varies by material and location, typically 12 months)

What Costs Extra?

• Height access (above 3m): +£50-£150 (requires ladders, scaffolding, or cherry picker)

• Structural repairs (brickwork, rendering): +£100-£500+ (may require builder)

• Drainage proofing (one-way valves, gully guards): +£80-£200 per drain

• Emergency same-day proofing: +£50-£100 premium

What Materials We Use (And Why)

Different entry points require different proofing materials. Here's what we use and why:

1. Stainless Steel Mesh (Most Common)

Best for: Airbricks, vents, pipe gaps, small holes

Why it works:

• Rodents can't chew through stainless steel

• Allows airflow (important for airbricks and vents)

• Durable (lasts 10+ years)

• Rust-resistant

Cost: £40-£90 per entry point (depending on size and access)

2. Expanding Foam + Mesh (For Larger Gaps)

Best for: Gaps around pipes, cable entries, irregular holes

Why it works:

• Expanding foam fills the gap completely

• Mesh embedded in foam prevents rodents chewing through

• Quick and effective

Cost: £40-£80 per entry point

Warning: Foam alone doesn't work. Rodents can chew through foam in hours. Always use foam + mesh.

3. Mortar/Cement (For Structural Holes)

Best for: Holes in brickwork, damaged mortar, structural gaps

Why it works:

• Permanent repair

• Rodents can't chew through properly cured mortar

• Matches existing brickwork (looks professional)

Cost: £60-£150 per entry point (depending on size and location)

4. Metal Kick Plates (For Door Gaps)

Best for: Gaps under external doors, garage doors, fire exits

Why it works:

• Rodents can't chew through metal

• Durable (lasts 10+ years)

• Allows door to function normally

Cost: £80-£150 per door

5. Brush Strips/Door Sweeps (For Small Door Gaps)

Best for: Small gaps under doors (less than 10mm)

Why it works:

• Seals gap while allowing door to open/close

• Cheap and easy to install

Cost: £40-£80 per door

Warning: Brush strips alone won't stop determined rats. Use metal kick plates for serious rodent problems.

6. One-Way Valves (For Drainage)

Best for: Preventing rats entering via drains and sewers

Why it works:

• Allows water/waste to flow out but prevents rats entering

• Installed inside drain pipes

Cost: £100-£200 per drain (requires drainage specialist)

7. Gully Guards (For External Drains)

Best for: Preventing rats entering via external gullies and manholes

Why it works:

• Metal grille prevents rats climbing up drain

• Allows water to drain normally

Cost: £80-£150 per gully

What Doesn't Work (Don't Waste Your Money)

Here are "proofing" methods that don't work (but some pest controllers still use):

1. Expanding Foam Alone

Why it doesn't work: Rodents chew through foam in hours. Foam must be reinforced with mesh or metal.

2. Plastic Mesh

Why it doesn't work: Rodents chew through plastic easily. Always use stainless steel mesh.

3. Silicone Sealant

Why it doesn't work: Rodents chew through silicone in minutes. Silicone is only useful for sealing gaps after proofing with mesh or metal.

4. Ultrasonic Repellers

Why it doesn't work: No scientific evidence they work. Rodents quickly habituate to ultrasonic noise. Save your money.

5. Peppermint Oil, Mothballs, etc.

Why it doesn't work: Rodents don't care about smells. They'll walk right over peppermint oil to get to food.

6. DIY Wire Wool

Why it doesn't work: Wire wool rusts and disintegrates within months. Rodents can pull it out or wait for it to rust away. Use stainless steel mesh instead.

Real Leicester Client Examples (What They Paid for Proofing)

Example 1: Terraced House, Leicester (Clarendon Park)

• Problem: Mice entering via gaps around pipes under kitchen sink and gap under back door

• Proofing: 3 pipe gaps (mesh + foam), 1 door gap (brush strip)

• Cost: 3 x £50 (pipe gaps) + £60 (door) = £210 total

• Result: No mice for 18 months (and counting)

Example 2: Semi-Detached House, Oadby

• Problem: Rats entering via damaged airbricks, hole in garage wall, gap under garage door

• Proofing: 4 airbricks (mesh), 1 hole in wall (mortar), 1 garage door (metal kick plate)

• Cost: 4 x £60 (airbricks) + £90 (wall hole) + £120 (door) = £450 total

• Result: No rats for 2 years

Example 3: Detached House, Hinckley

• Problem: Rats entering loft via damaged soffit, gaps around utility pipes, and through drains

• Proofing: 2 soffit repairs (height access), 6 pipe gaps (mesh + foam), 2 drain one-way valves

• Cost: 2 x £180 (soffit + height access) + 6 x £50 (pipes) + 2 x £150 (drains) = £960 total

• Result: No rats for 4 years

Example 4: Restaurant, Leicester City Centre

• Problem: Rats entering via gaps around waste pipes, damaged airbricks, and gaps under fire exit doors

• Proofing: 8 pipe gaps (mesh + foam), 6 airbricks (mesh), 3 fire exit doors (metal kick plates)

• Cost: 8 x £60 (pipes) + 6 x £70 (airbricks) + 3 x £120 (doors) = £1,260 total

• Result: No rats no activity to date (3 years), passed EHO inspection

Example 5: Warehouse, Coalville

• Problem: Rats entering via multiple gaps in roller shutter doors, damaged loading bay doors, gaps in external walls

• Proofing: 12 roller shutter gaps (brush strips + metal plates), 4 loading bay doors (metal kick plates), 18 wall gaps (mesh + foam)

• Cost: 12 x £80 (roller shutters) + 4 x £150 (loading bays) + 18 x £60 (wall gaps) = £2,640 total

• Result: Rodent activity reduced by 95%, ongoing monitoring contract in place

How Long Does Proofing Last?

Properly installed proofing should last years, not months. Here's what to expect:

Stainless Steel Mesh

• Lifespan: 10+ years

• Failure rate: Very low (unless physically damaged by building work)

Mortar/Cement

• Lifespan: 10+ years

• Failure rate: Low (unless building settles or mortar cracks)

Metal Kick Plates

• Lifespan: 10+ years

• Failure rate: Very low (unless door is replaced)

Brush Strips/Door Sweeps

• Lifespan: 2-5 years

• Failure rate: Moderate (brushes wear down with use)

Expanding Foam + Mesh

• Lifespan: 5-10 years

• Failure rate: Low (unless foam degrades due to UV exposure or moisture)

One-Way Valves (Drainage)

• Lifespan: 5-10 years

• Failure rate: Moderate (can block with debris, requires annual inspection)

Guarantee: We offer a 12-month guarantee on most proofing work. If rodents breach the proofing within 12 months, we'll re-proof free of charge.

Proofing vs Treatment: What's Cheaper Long-Term?

Here's the math:

Option 1: Treatment Only (No Proofing)

• Initial treatment: £150

• Follow-up treatment (2 months later): £150

• Follow-up treatment (4 months later): £150

• Follow-up treatment (6 months later): £150

• Total cost (1 year): £600

• Total cost (3 years): £1,800

Option 2: Treatment + Proofing

• Initial treatment: £150

• Proofing (5-10 entry points): £300-£600

• Follow-up treatment (if needed): £0-£150

• Total cost (1 year): £450-£900

• Total cost (3 years): £450-£900 (no further treatments needed)

Savings over 3 years: £900-£1,350

Payback period: 6-12 months

Proofing costs more upfront, but saves you money within a year. And you don't have to deal with rodents every few months.

Autumn/Winter: Why Proofing Is Essential Now

Rodent pressure peaks in autumn and winter (October-March). Here's why proofing is essential now:

1. Cold Weather Drives Rodents Indoors

• Outdoor temperatures drop, rodents seek warmth

• Your property is warm, dry, and has food = perfect rodent habitat

• Rodent activity increases 200-300% in October-December

2. Autumn Breeding Season

• Rats and mice breed in autumn (preparing for winter)

• More rodents = more pressure on entry points

• One pregnant mouse can produce 50-100 offspring in 6 months

3. Harvest Season

• Fields are cleared in autumn, rodents lose outdoor food sources

• Rodents move to buildings (homes, warehouses, restaurants)

• Rural and semi-rural Leicester properties see biggest increase

4. Building Damage from Summer

• Summer heat causes brickwork to expand and contract

• Mortar cracks, soffits warp, airbricks loosen

• New entry points appear in autumn

What this means: If you proof your property in October (before peak rodent season), you'll prevent infestations all winter. If you wait until December (after rodents have moved in), you'll pay for treatment and proofing.

Best time to proof: Any Time (before rodents move in)

What Questions Should You Ask Any Leicester Pest Controller About Proofing?

Before you pay for proofing, ask these questions:

1. What Materials Do You Use?

Ask specifically:

• Stainless steel mesh or plastic mesh? (Only stainless steel works)

• Expanding foam alone or foam + mesh? (Foam alone doesn't work)

• What type of door seals? (Brush strips or metal kick plates?)

2. Do You Provide a Written Survey?

Ask for:

• Written report identifying all entry points

• Photos of entry points (before and after)

• Breakdown of costs per entry point

If they won't provide a written survey, walk away.

3. What's Your Guarantee?

Ask:

• How long is the guarantee? (12 months minimum)

• What's covered? (Re-proofing if rodents breach?)

• What's not covered? (New entry points caused by building work?)

4. How Many Entry Points Do You Expect to Find?

Ask for an estimate:

• Terraced house: 5-15 entry points

• Detached house: 10-25 entry points

• Commercial property: 20-100+ entry points

If they promise "we'll seal everything for £200," they're either lying or cutting corners.

5. Do You Offer Treatment + Proofing Packages?

Ask if they offer combined treatment + proofing at a discount. We offer 10-15% discount on proofing when booked with treatment.

6. Are You Insured?

Proofing involves drilling, cutting, and working at height. Ask for proof of public liability insurance (minimum £5m).

How to Book VPS Ltd Rodent Proofing

If you want to proof your Leicester property against rodents:

1. Call or email us with details of your property (type, size, location, any known entry points)

2. We'll arrange a survey (free with treatment, £80-£150 standalone)

3. We'll provide a written quote with breakdown of costs per entry point

4. We'll complete proofing within 1-2 weeks (or same-day for emergencies)

5. We'll provide a 12-month guarantee

Contact VPS Ltd:

• Website: www.vpscleaning.com

• Phone: 07805126356 / 07510290434

• Email: info@varapropertyservices.com

The Honest Summary

Rodent proofing in Leicester costs:

• Per entry point: £40-£150 (depending on size and complexity)

• Full residential property: £300-£1,500 (typically 5-25 entry points)

• Full commercial property: £500-£10,000+ (depending on size and complexity)

Proofing costs more upfront than treatment alone, but saves you money within 6-12 months (and you don't have to deal with rodents every few months).

Best time to proof: September-October (before peak rodent season)

Materials that work: Stainless steel mesh, mortar, metal kick plates, one-way valves

Materials that don't work: Expanding foam alone, plastic mesh, silicone, ultrasonic repellers, peppermint oil (temporary fix)

We're not the cheapest. We use proper materials (stainless steel, not plastic), provide written surveys, and offer 12-month guarantees. If you want the cheapest option, hire a sole trader who'll seal gaps with foam (which we do not recommend) and wire wool. If you want proofing that actually works, get in touch.

No hidden fees. No surprise charges. Just honest pricing for Leicester rodent proofing that actually works.