Pipe and conduit gaps
Openings around plumbing, gas and electrical lines are packed with steel wool or copper mesh and finished with sealant, so rodents cannot gnaw through and insects cannot crawl along them.
PEST-PROOFING.
CLOSE THE WAYS IN.
Treatment deals with the pests you have. Pest-proofing deals with how they got there, by finding and closing the openings and conditions that let them in.
WHY IT MATTERS
IN CITY BUILDINGS.
Most pests arrive through the same few routes.
In New York City buildings, pipes, conduits and wall voids connect apartments to each other and to basements, roofs and trash rooms. Gaps around those penetrations, under doors and at the base of walls give mice, cockroaches and other pests a way to move in and between units.
Pest-proofing, also called exclusion, is the work of finding those openings and closing them with materials pests cannot chew through. It pairs with treatment: treatment reduces the population, and sealing makes it harder for the next one to arrive.
WHAT TO EXPECT.
FROM INSPECTION TO SEALING.
We start by finding the routes, then close what can be closed.
STEP 01
INSPECT ENTRY POINTS
We check around pipes, vents, doors, windows, baseboards, cabinets and utility penetrations, and look for rub marks, droppings and damage that show where pests travel.
Tell us where you have noticed activity.
STEP 02
SEAL AND EXCLUDE
We close gaps with steel wool, copper mesh, metal flashing, cement or suitable sealants, fit door sweeps and screens, and repair what we can reach within the scope agreed.
Larger structural repairs may be a job for building management or a contractor.
STEP 03
REVIEW AND ADVISE
We note what was sealed, what remains open and which conditions, such as moisture or stored items, add to the risk, and we recheck activity on the follow-up visit.
Keep the notes for building management.
COMMON FIXES.
WHAT GETS SEALED.
The right material depends on the gap and on what is trying to get through.
Doors, sweeps and screens
Door sweeps close the gap at the threshold, and intact vent and window screens keep out flying insects. Worn weatherstripping is replaced where we can.
Baseboards, cabinets and wall edges
Cracks along baseboards, behind sinks and at cabinet edges are caulked, which removes harborage for cockroaches and silverfish.
WHAT YOU
CAN DO.
Small habits support the sealing work.
Report gaps and drafts
Tell building management about holes, missing sweeps and damaged screens so they can be repaired.
Reduce moisture
Fix leaks and wipe standing water. Many pests, including cockroaches and silverfish, depend on it.
Store items off the floor
Shelving and clear aisles in basements, closets and storage rooms leave fewer places to hide and make inspection easier.
Keep food sealed
Hard containers for pantry items and pet food, and closed trash, remove the reason pests come in.
YOUR QUESTIONS.
CLEAR ANSWERS.
Will pest-proofing stop all pests?
It lowers the number of routes in, and it works best alongside treatment and good sanitation. In a building with shared walls, openings elsewhere can still matter, so we explain what was and was not addressed.
Can you seal common areas or other apartments?
Work in shared areas and other units needs the building owner or management to arrange access. We can recommend what to seal and where.
Is sealing included with treatment?
Sealing often sits within a treatment plan for rodents and cockroaches. We confirm what is included when we plan the visit.
How long does it take?
It depends on the size of the space and how many openings we find. We will tell you what to expect when we have inspected.
Is pest-proofing something my landlord should do?
Often, yes. In buildings with three or more apartments, Local Law 55 asks owners to seal holes, gaps and cracks pests use, repair leaks and fit door sweeps on doors leading to hallways, basements and outside. We can document the openings we find so they can be reported to the building, and seal what falls inside your apartment.
LET’S TALK
ABOUT YOUR SPACE.
A short request is enough to start. Tell us what you have noticed and where, and we will follow up to plan the assessment.
What to include
Where you have noticed activity or drafts, the rooms involved, and any gaps you have already seen.
What happens next
We review your request and follow up to discuss access, preparation and the assessment.
NEW YORK CITY.
ALL FIVE BOROUGHS.
LET’S PUT PESTS
ON NOTICE.
Tell us what you are seeing and where. We will help you choose the right starting point for your home or business.
