Your attic is an important part of your home, providing storage space and insulation. However, it can also be a haven for unwanted animals, such as raccoons, squirrels, and bats. These animals can cause damage to your home and pose a health risk to your family. If you think you may have an attic invader, it’s important to take action right away.
In this blog post, we will discuss the signs of an attic invasion, common attic invaders, the dangers of attic invaders, DIY attic invader removal tips, and when to call a professional. We will also provide information on how to contact First Class Wildlife for help with your attic invader problem.
Signs of an attic invasion
Attics are often a target for unwanted animal guests due to their warmth and shelter from the elements. If you suspect that you may have an attic invader, it’s crucial to take action promptly to prevent further damage and potential health risks. Here are some telltale signs that indicate the presence of animals in your attic:
Scratching or Scampering Sounds, Especially at Night: Listen for unusual noises coming from your attic, particularly at night when these animals are most active. Scratching, scampering, gnawing or scurrying sounds are a clear indication that you have an attic invader.
Visible Holes or Entry Points in the Roof, Eaves, or Siding: Inspect your roof, eaves, and siding for any visible holes or entry points. These openings serve as access points for animals to enter your attic. Look for signs of damage or chew marks around these areas.
Nesting Materials Such as Insulation, Leaves, or Twigs in the Attic: Animals often gather materials to create nests in their chosen habitats. If you notice insulation, leaves, twigs, or other nesting materials in your attic, it’s a strong indication that an animal has taken up residence.
Strong, Unpleasant Odors Coming from the Attic: A pungent, unpleasant odor emanating from your attic is another sign of an animal invasion. This odor is often the result of urine, droppings, or other waste left behind by the animals.
Droppings or Urine Stains on the Insulation or Attic Floor: Check your insulation and attic floor for droppings or urine stains. These are clear indicators of animal activity and can help you identify the type of animal that has invaded your attic.
Common attic invaders
Common attic invaders include squirrels, raccoons, bats, rodents and birds.
Squirrels are nimble climbers and can easily access attics through small holes or gaps in the roof. They are known for their habit of chewing on electrical wires, which can pose a fire hazard. Additionally, squirrels can contaminate insulation with their urine and feces, creating an unpleasant odor and health risk.
Raccoons are larger animals that can cause significant damage to attics. They are known to tear through insulation, drywall, and even roofing material to gain access. Raccoons also carry diseases such as rabies and distemper, making it important to avoid direct contact with them.
Bats are nocturnal creatures that often roost in attics during the day. While bats can be beneficial to the environment as they feed on insects, their guano (bat droppings) can accumulate and create a health hazard. Additionally, bats can carry diseases such as rabies and histoplasmosis.
Birds can also find their way into attics through vents, chimneys, or holes in the roof. Birds can be noisy and disruptive, and their nesting materials can block vents and cause moisture damage. Some birds, such as pigeons, can also carry diseases.
Rodents: Sneaky invaders, such as mice and rats, are adept at accessing homes through attics, posing risks like infestation, wire gnawing, contamination, and disease transmission. Their small size enables easy access to the rest of your home, and once settled, their population can quickly multiply.
Dangers of attic invaders
The presence of animals in your attic can pose several dangers to you, your family, and your property. Here are some of the potential hazards associated with attic invaders:
Electrical Hazards: Some animals, such as squirrels, are known to chew on electrical wires, which can lead to short circuits and electrical fires. These fires can spread quickly and cause extensive damage to your home and can lead to disruptions in your home’s electrical functions, affecting items like pot lights and exhaust fans.
Diseases: Animals can carry a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans, including rabies, leptospirosis, and salmonella. These diseases can be serious and even life-threatening in some cases.
Parasites: Animals can carry parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, which can infest your home and cause discomfort and health problems for you and your pets.
Damage to Insulation: Animals can damage insulation by nesting in it, tearing it apart, or contaminating it with urine and feces. This can lead to reduced energy efficiency and increased heating and cooling costs.
Unpleasant Odors: The presence of animals in your attic can create unpleasant odors that can permeate your home. These odors can be caused by urine, feces, nesting materials, and dead animals.
Potential Attacks: Some animals, such as raccoons and bats, can be aggressive and may attack if they feel threatened. These attacks can cause serious injuries and require medical attention.
It is important to take action to remove animals from your attic as soon as possible to mitigate these dangers and protect your health, safety, and property. If you are not comfortable removing the animals yourself, it is best to contact a professional wildlife removal service.
DIY attic invader removal tips
If you believe that you have an animal invader in your attic, there are a few things you can try to remove it yourself before resorting to professional help.
First, try to seal any holes or cracks in your roof or siding that the animal may be using to enter your attic. You can use caulk, steel wool, or a combination of both to seal the openings. Be sure to inspect your attic regularly for new holes or cracks, as animals can be persistent in their attempts to find a way in. However, a crucial note: ensure the animal is not present in the attic before sealing any holes. Sealing an animal inside poses risks, potentially causing harm to the creature and exposing your home to additional problems, such as increased damage resulting from the animal’s attempts to escape. Regular attic inspections are essential to identify and address potential entry points without trapping the animal inside
Another budget-friendly option is using live traps strategically placed in areas frequented by the animal. Select traps designed for the specific species and bait them with suitable food. However, it’s crucial to check these traps daily to ensure humane treatment. Keep in mind that while this method might capture the intruder, it’s not a foolproof solution. Without addressing the access points inviting the animal in, there’s a risk of it returning, making live trapping less reliable for long-term wildlife control.
You can also try using commercial repellents designed to discourage animals from entering your attic. There are various options available, including those with scents or formulations intended to deter wildlife. Place these repellents in areas where you have seen or heard the animal, and be sure to follow the product instructions for optimal effectiveness. Regularly refresh or replace the repellents as needed.
Another important tip is to keep your attic clean and free of clutter. This will make it less appealing to animals, as they will have less places to hide and nest. Be sure to remove any food or water sources that may be attracting animals, such as pet food or birdseed.
Finally, you can install a chimney cap to prevent animals from entering your attic through your chimney. Chimney caps are available at most hardware stores, and they are relatively easy to install.
Remember, attic invader removal can be a time-consuming process, and DIY methods may not always be successful. If you are unable to remove the animal yourself, or if the animal poses a danger to you or your family, be sure to call a professional for help.
When to call a professional
When the attic invasion is extensive or involves dangerous animals, it is advisable to seek professional help. Wildlife removal companies have the expertise, equipment, and experience to safely and effectively remove animals from your attic, even in large numbers or if the animals are aggressive or venomous.
If you do not have the time or resources to remove the animals yourself, hiring a professional is also a good option. Wildlife removal can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, especially if the infestation is significant. Professionals have the manpower and tools to complete the job quickly and efficiently, minimizing disruption to your daily life.
In cases where you are uncomfortable handling wildlife, it is best to leave the task to professionals. Animals in the attic can be unpredictable and may react aggressively if they feel threatened.
Professionals are trained to handle wildlife safely and humanely, reducing the risk of injury to both you and the animals.
Lastly, if the animals have caused significant damage to your home that you cannot repair yourself, hiring a professional is essential. Wildlife infestations can cause extensive damage to insulation, wiring, drywall, and other structural components of your home. Professionals can not only remove the animals but also repair the damage they have caused, restoring your home to its pre-infestation condition.
By seeking professional help when necessary, you can ensure the safe and effective removal of animals from your attic, protecting your health, safety, and property.
