Have you ever witnessed a wild animal scuttling around your roof or in your roof vent? Animals tend to try to get into your house before or during winter to avoid freezing during the cold months. Roofs are especially easy targets for small animals; despite the strength of shingles and vents, they are no match for the gnawing strength of a rodent. It’s important to prepare your roof for little critters and to know what to watch for in case your house already has the unwanted guests.
Warning Signs of an Unwanted Guest
How do you know if you have an unwanted animal guest by your roof or attic? The first steps you should do include checking the outside and inside of your roof for any obvious holes or openings. Common signs that wild animals have entered your house include:
- Droppings or urine
- Torn or ripped pieces of insulation around
- Random nests of paper, leaves and twigs
- Ripped ducts
- Squeaking sounds around your house
- Sounds or visual proof of gnawing
- Scampering or scurrying noises in your attic or walls
- Purrs, growls, hisses, or whimpers from dark-lit areas
Animal-Proof Your Roof Vents
The purpose of roof vents is to create an escape for humidity and hot air in your house. Because your vents usually send out warm air, wild animals tend to be drawn to the vents and will be able to enter by ripping away at the roofing materials surrounding the vents. Learn more about roof vents here (https://erdreroofing.com/roofing-omaha/understanding-your-roof-ventilation-system/).
One of the best animal deterrent for your roof vents are cloth wire screens with ½-inch mesh weaves. It’s important that your screen doesn’t resist air flow around your vent. Be sure to check your screen periodically to make sure an animal hasn’t tried damaging or gnawing through it.
Plan Ahead with Traps
If your roof and attic have yet to be overrun by rodents or critters, it’s a good idea to set up several traps around your attic and areas around your roof and roof vents. If you have heard scurrying, gnawing, or other sound evidence of wild critters in your house, use live traps to catch them before they set up a more permanent base in your home.
Know When to Contact Animal Control
If your attic has been overrun by any rodents or aggressive animals, maintain your distance from the animal/s and contact your local animal control to remove the animal.
If your roof has been significantly damaged by rodents or large animals, contact Exterior Remodel & Design for quality roofing repair or restoration. Our team of roofing professionals are experienced and highly-trained in a wide variety of roofing aspects, with the best skills for keeping your roof of your home in the best condition. Contact us at (402) 861-0000 or by email at [email protected].