Most Burlington homeowners don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what’s going in their attic. In fact, many people never even go so far as to poke their head up there. It’s understandable; attics are dark, dusty, cramped and tricky to navigate safely. It’s certainly not the sort of place you want to spend much time – unless you’re a raccoon, squirrel, mouse, bird or bat.
Attics are a favourite nesting and den site for a whole host of wildlife species found in Burlington. For clever urban wildlife, an attic offers numerous of benefits over more natural homes, including:
- Improved protection from predators
- Improved shelter from the elements
- A safe place to have and raise babies
- Secure food storage
It’s no wonder wild animals like attics so much. Every year countless homeowners across Burlington find their attic space has been invaded by furry visitors and the results can be costly. Wild animals are capable of inflicting thousands of dollars of damage in just a very short time. Critters in the attic are responsible for destroying important building materials. Here’s what to look out for:
Attic Insulation
Insulation plays a key role in helping keep your home cool in summer and warm during winter. Through their normal activity, animals like raccoons and squirrels trample and soil insulation rendering it ineffective and increasing utility bills. Replacing attic insulation after an infestation is both labour intensive and costly.
Duct Work and Wiring
Attics make an ideal place to run duct work for fans and appliances as well as electrical wiring. Unfortunately, these materials are a favourite chew toy for rodents and raccoons. Damage to electrical work can cause appliances to fail and produce a dangerous fire hazard.
Attic wiring chewed by squirrels
Urine and Feces
Wild animals have no problem turning your attic into one big litter box. Depending on the species, droppings could pose a major health risk to your family. Beyond that, odours from urine and feces can soak into insulation and drywall and serve as an attractant for other wildlife in your neighbourhood. Animals communicate through smell; don’t let them signal to others that your attic makes a great den.
Water Damage
When wildlife takes up residence inside an attic there must be a point of entry. Sometimes they make the hole themselves and other times they take advantage of a pre-existing opening. Either way, if an animal can get inside there’s a strong possibility that rain and snow can too.
Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Burlington
When it comes to a wildlife infestation inside your attic it helps to have professionals on your side. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has been removing and excluding wildlife from Burlington attics since 1989.
Our technicians use their knowledge of home construction and wildlife behaviour to effectively and humanely get rid of the offenders and protect your home from future intrusion. Best of all, we’re prepared to clean up the mess they leave behind in your attic. Call us today at 905-574-7777 to find out how we can help you today!
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