From raccoons and bats, to birds and mice, all sorts of creatures can find ways into your home, becoming unexpected—and uninvited, guests. There are many ways for homeowners to keep their house free of wildlife. Read the three ways below and learn how to protect your roof from an animal infestation.
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1. Regularly Maintain Your Roof
Proper and regular maintenance of your home’s exterior reduces the chance of the animals’ ability to gain entry. Roof sheathing, which sits at the base of roofing material, is a convenient spot animals tend to damage and use for entry into your home. Other part of the roof to watch include gutters, vents, and the chimney, where animals can wreak serious havoc as they chew through roof ridge caps to gain access inside.
Ideal entry points for critters like raccoons are roof-soffit intersections—the area where the soffits sit just above the sections of the roof. The soffits are flimsy and easy for raccoons to pull at, so be sure to check those regularly. Roof vents, used to allow proper air circulation in the attic, are another possible entry point, as smaller animals such as mice and rats can crawl in as air escapes.
A weak roof is simply too easy for animals to destroy. Not only is this something to watch, entry through the roof can cause damage to the roof and venting systems. Inspect your roof regularly or have a roofing company check it periodically for leaks, missing shingles, torn roofing materials, and other issues.
2. Close All Gaps and Cracks
It only takes a small hole or crack in the foundation for tiny animals to wiggle through, and the bigger creatures will use their dexterous paws to peel and find a way in. Before you know it, you have an entire animal infestation on your hands.
Fortunately, there are many small things you can do around the home to deter animals. Shorter branches make it harder to move from the branch to the roof. Regularly trim tree branches away from the home, so the roof doesn’t appear as easy access point. Clean debris regularly from gutters. Not only does this allow for proper water drainage, birds won’t view this area as a nesting place. Check your ventilation system for cracks or holes and that the vents are properly covered.
Ideally, the roof should be free of entry points where animals could sneak in. Replace and fill damaged, rotten, and deteriorated areas where small holes exist; fill in caulking gaps between soffit and bricks; use caulking between valley tops and bottoms; install drip edges; and add cover protection to roof vents. If you have a chimney, consider a chimney cap to keep out wildlife like squirrels, birds, and bats. Without any openings, animals will have a harder time getting inside.
3. Monitor Your Attic and Property for Wildlife
In addition to monitoring the outside of your home, you’ll also want to take a look inside. Take a peak in your attic. If there’s an animal infestation, you’ll notice signs. Droppings, nesting material, damage, use of an entrance—these are just a few indications that animals are present. Animals also leave behind an oily residue, so pay attention to any markings on the floor. If you see any of these markers, it’s time to implement improved methods to protect your roof.
As a homeowner, you want to be diligent about property maintenance to deal properly with animal removal. Don’t feed any wildlife in your area. Animals find their own food, but if they’re being fed, they’ll make a regular appearance, expecting more. You don’t want them getting too comfortable. Make sure you aren’t leaving food out, and keep both your garbage and garden compost tightly secured so animals can’t open it.
The last thing you want to deal with is an animal infestation. Protect your roof by following the tips above.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!