Raccoons, Squirrels, and Other Unwelcome Visitors to Your Attic!
That scampering noise, late at night… is it on the roof? Or in the attic? You should be sure.
Raccoons, squirrels, birds and other vermin are notorious for nesting in attics. And in spring, it can grow from just a few critters to full family of furry creatures.
ATTIC INFESTATIONS ARE SERIOUS & DANGEROUS
Once in, these vermin use insulation and storage items for bedding, and waste. The moisture from urine and waste can lead to mold and mildew. They also carry fleas, ticks and a variety of bacteria that can cause significant health issues for humans.
SO HOW DO THEY GET IN TO YOUR ATTIC?
The most common ways vermin gain access to attic space include:
- Climbing up nearby trees and shrubs. Keep in mind, vermin can jump more than three feet. Check to make sure tree and shrub branches are cut back at least 4 feet or more from your roof.
- Once on the roof, these critters will gnaw at roof vents until they gain access. While small, vermin have strong, sharp teeth and claws. Poorly made plastic roof vents deteriorate over time, from exposure to UV rays and freezing temperatures, becoming brittle and easy to destruct for these powerful little creatures.
- Some economy grade roof vent screens, designed to keep critters out, break away easily leaving your attic wide open to a variety of unwanted guests.
- Soffit screens are also quick work for vermin. These powerful critters can bend and tear at aluminum soffits panels and do significant damage in order to gain access.
- Bi-level homes and homes with multi-level roofs are easy targets for rodents, squirrels, and racoons.
- Creatures also crawl up downspouts and other vertical structures to gain access to soffits or roof vents
If you suspect an infestation in your attic, do not try to deal with it on your own. If the vermin are still nesting they can be very aggressive, please contact a wildlife removal service (we recommend Critter Detectives at 630.916.7678). They will capture the critters and safely release them in the wild, away from residential homes.
Once the critters are removed, a thorough inspection of your attic is necessary. Not only to identify the nesting area, but abandoned nests as well, and most important, tracing the critters access methods in order to block future invasions.