Insects and nuisance wildlife are experts at entering our homes, and they often do so via the attic. Mice, rats, squirrels and bats are the most common attic pests, but ants, spiders, stink bugs, cockroaches, and other insects are a close second.
These unwanted guests enter our homes because it’s warm and we have lots of food, which we provide unwittingly to our pest invaders. They tend to enter our attics when it becomes colder or rains a lot, and can gain access through the smallest of openings – even a crack that’s as thin as a dime!
Once pests enter, they can cause serious damage. For instance, mice and rats can destroy attic insulation and chew through electrical wires. In fact, rodent damage to electrical wires is responsible for 25 % of U.S. house fires each year.
To prevent pests from entering your home, pest-proof your attic with these tips and strategies provided by the pest control experts in New York and Vermont.
How to Pest-Proof Your Attic
Never Store Anything in Cardboard Boxes
Pests love to make nests in cardboard, so make sure that everything in the attic is stored in sealed, plastic containers and off of the attic floor.
Keep Your Attic Dry and Ventilated
Run a dehumidifier if necessary, and regularly inspect your home’s gutters and water diverts to make sure they are clear of debris.
Cover Vents
Air flow is important to keep the attic dry, but it’s needs to be covered with metal mesh or screening to keep out squirrels, bats, mice and rodents.
Seal Holes & Gaps
Check for access holes inside your attic and outside the walls of your house, in your garage, and on the roof. Pay close attention to holes that may be made when you have cable or phone lines installed, or when a plumber or electrician works on your home. Any hole larger than a quarter needs to be sealed with metal mesh and steel wool, or spray hardening foam.
Call a Pest Control Professional
The absolute best way to pest-proof your attic is to contact Nature’s Way Pest Control. We offer free inspections and estimates, and know exactly where to look to find those tiny pest access spots. Our technicians provide professional pest-proofing, as well as full attic clean-outs and pest control attic installation.
For pest-proofing attic services in northeastern New York, call (518) 745-5958, or contact our attic pest control experts in western Vermont at (802) 855-2978.
