Loft Rodent Proofing in Middlesbrough & the North East

Mice and rats in the loft are more than a nuisance. They foul the insulation, gnaw timbers and stored belongings, and can chew through cables. Traps and bait deal with the ones already inside, but if the gaps they used are still open, more will follow, especially as the weather turns cold. Rodent proofing deals with the way in.

We rodent-proof lofts across Middlesbrough, Teesside and the North East. We find the entry points into the loft, seal them with materials rodents cannot easily chew through, and clean out insulation that has been soiled. To be clear about what we do: our work is in the loft only. We do not lay poison or bait and we are not a pest control company. If there is an active infestation, a pest controller should deal with the rodents, and we make sure the loft is sealed and cleaned up.

Signs of mice or rats in the loft

• Scratching or scurrying in the ceiling at night.
• Droppings on boards, on the insulation or around the water tank.
• Gnawing on timbers, boxes, pipe lagging or plastic.
• Chewed cables. Damaged wiring is a fire risk and should be checked by an electrician.
• Tunnelled, flattened or shredded insulation, often with runs along the joists.
• A stale, ammonia-like smell in the loft or upstairs rooms.

How rodents get into lofts

Mice can get through surprisingly small gaps, and rats are strong chewers. The common routes into a loft include:

• Eaves and soffits. Gaps where soffit boards meet the wall, loose or rotten fascias, and missing eaves fillers.
• Pipe and cable entries. Where pipes, overflows and cables pass through walls into the roof space.
• Around soil and vent pipes, where they pass through the roof or walls.
• The wall cavity. In cavity-walled homes, rodents can climb inside the cavity and come up into the loft at the top of the wall.
• Party walls in terraces. In older terraced streets, gaps in the shared loft walls can let rodents move between houses.
• Damaged roofs, such as slipped tiles or gaps at the verge.

What we do

Inspection

We look through the loft for droppings, runs, gnawing and nesting to work out where activity is concentrated, then check the eaves, wall heads, pipe and cable entries and party walls for gaps. A loft inspection is the starting point.

Proofing the entry points

Gaps we can reach from inside the loft, at the eaves, wall heads, around pipes and cables, and in party walls, are sealed with materials designed to resist gnawing, such as wire mesh and rodent-resistant fillers. Where an entry point is on the outside of the house or on the roof, such as a damaged fascia or slipped tiles, we tell you what needs doing and whether it needs a roofer or builder.

Clearing out soiled insulation

Insulation fouled by droppings, urine or nesting should not be topped up or left in place. It is bagged up in the loft and taken away. The loft is then cleaned between the joists. See loft insulation removal for how that is done.

New insulation

Once the loft is proofed and clean, new Knauf Earthwool mineral wool is laid to 270mm, with the eaves kept clear for ventilation. Mineral wool is not a food source for rodents, though it will not stop them on its own, which is why proofing comes first. See our main loft insulation page.

Working with pest control

If rodents are still active, proofing on its own can trap them inside. In that case we recommend a pest controller deals with them first. Once they have finished, we seal the entry points and clean up. If you are not sure whether activity has stopped, we can tell you what we see at the inspection.

Why problems often start in autumn

As the weather turns colder, mice and rats look for warm, dry shelter, and a loft full of soft insulation is ideal. Many people first notice activity in the autumn. Proofing the loft before then, or as soon as you notice signs, is the best way to avoid the mess.

What affects the cost

The price depends on how many entry points need sealing and how easy they are to reach, how much insulation needs removing, the size of the loft and what new insulation goes back in. You get a written quotation after a free assessment.

Who does the work

The work is carried out by The Insulation Company or an approved installation partner. Eligible installations come with a written guarantee of up to five years; the terms are set out in your quotation.

Areas we cover

We cover Middlesbrough and Teesside, County Durham, Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, North Yorkshire and York, and parts of West Yorkshire and the East Riding. See all the areas we cover, or call 0800 229 4668 to book a free assessment.