If there are animals living in your attic, several signs will indicate this. Unfortunately, none of these signs are fun, and they can include negative side effects, from property damage to health hazards. If you’re not sure whether or not there are animals inhabiting your attic, take note of the five common signs below.
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1. Chew Marks and Property Damage
Not only will you find insulation missing from your home, animals living in your attic can cause significant structural damage in this location. Rodents are gnawing creatures—this tactic keeps their teeth trim and sharp, and they will chew their way into the attic. Pay attention to vulnerable areas on your roof that appear attractive. Roof soffit intersections, roofing tiles, and vents are just some areas that raccoons and squirrels will zero in on for entry.
Mice only need a small hole to get inside your home, but bigger rodents hunt around for bigger spaces to squeeze through. Check electrical wires, ventilation ducts, and surrounding structure for gnaw marks and any safety threats. Damage caused by animals living in your attic requires costly repairs and a much-needed attic restoration.
2. Nesting Materials
If an animal has made a home in your attic, it’s going to be pretty clear. Wildlife will use any material they can to create their home. With different materials in abundance and readily available, your attic is the perfect spot to create a nest. Mattress batting, insulation, plant material, papers, and string are just a few examples they use, and they’re usually formed in a loose pile.
Oversized clumps of leaves, twigs, and other household material forming a hollow interior is a good sign you have animals living in your attic. Any shredded household material, combined with the dark and quiet space of the attic is perfect for wildlife to live uninterrupted, making it a popular spot for them to call home.
3. Droppings
Not only are droppings disgusting to clean up, they’re host to a number of dangerous diseases, parasites, viruses, and bacteria that could harm you and your family. To clean up the mess left by your new houseguests, ensure use of thorough hygiene practices, washing your hands and using gloves to remove any feces lying around.
Take note of the droppings you see. Droppings are often found near nesting locations. If you spot a nest in the attic, there’s a good chance of droppings nearby. Their location also indicates what kind of animal, with different animals leaving different marks: if it’s in one specific area, it’s likely raccoons. Mice, on the other hand, leave their droppings scattered about. Little droppings versus larger feces can determine the specific animal taking up residence in your attic.
4. Old Food Scraps
Old food lying around is generally an indication of one specific animal—a raccoon. Regardless, you want to pay attention to this around the house. Not all animals leave a food presence behind, but raccoons definitely will. Any of these scraps and bones scattered in this space is a sure sign of animals living in your attic. Ensure a thorough sweep to properly and thoroughly clean up the mess left behind.
5. Sightings
If you wanted to liven up a quiet afternoon, the quick scurry of a mouse across your hall will do it. Don’t think sightings are a mistake: Seeing a mouse isn’t a one-off appearance, that mouse has made their stay in your home permanent.
At some point, a sighting is bound to happen. Check your attic at night. As most rodents are nocturnal, peeking up above with a flashlight should reflect glittering eyes staring back at you. Your new tenants won’t move out anytime soon. Sightings are a clear sign they’re establishing a permanent stay.
Contact wildlife removal services if you think you might have animals in your home.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!