[JavaBrewer]

I believe the saying is that a rat 16" long can fit thought a quarter sized hole. Good that you removed the overhanging branches - they are rodent highways. Use traps and cats to control rodents - poison will only force you to start cutting sheetrock looking for the stink.

I still stand by by suggestion. Take a coupe months and several cases of wine. Think the plan out with our SO and then pull the trigger. Ivy is a fast growing weed and only suitable in wild landscapes. For smaller yards it's a nuisance. Plan your pathways and steps and go from there. I like the idea of DG (decomposed granite) walkways over concrete but would suggest a one up and go paver stone. Suitable to walk on barefoot and not get dirty, will not crack, at least double the compressive strength of concrete, and easily changed.