Rat proofing is the most thorough form of prevention: a methodical, whole-home seal-up that closes every gap a rat could use, with materials they cannot chew through. It is the step that turns a one-time rat removal into a permanent solution, and it is just as valuable for homeowners who have never had rats but want to keep it that way. A rat can fit through an opening the size of a quarter and squeeze through gaps you would never think twice about, so proofing is about finding and closing all of them.
The pros who handle it inspect the entire envelope of the home, the roofline, soffits, fascia, vents, chimney, weep holes, garage, foundation, and every spot where a pipe or wire passes through a wall. Each opening is sealed with rodent-resistant materials such as metal flashing, hardware cloth, and specialized sealants rather than the foam or steel wool that rats defeat in a season. The result is a home that simply does not give rats a way in.