They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and in the case of this homeowner that statement was certainly true. Squirrels used this opening on the side of the house to nest inside the vent system for a bathroom fan. The vent cover was easily bypassed by the squirrel that climbed the brick and chewed the plastic cover to secure a safe den site. What’s worse, this particular squirrel gave birth to four babies once inside.

As is often the case, the little bit of damage that you can see from the outside is nothing compared to the damage caused on the inside. The vinyl vent tube that connects the exterior opening to the bathroom fan was chewed and ripped open, allowing the squirrels access to the ceiling cavity.

Repairing the damage to the vent pipe meant that the drywall ceiling had to be cut open. Once everything was opened up the homeowner also discovered that the fan vent wiring had been chewed and required attention. In the end, a few squirrels were responsible for several hundred dollars of damage and a lot of headaches.

What can you do?

Vent openings found on the walls of houses are typically used to exhaust stove and bathroom fans as well as clothes dryers. These openings are common entry points for squirrels, birds, chipmunks and mice.

Here are a few things to look out for on the outside of your home:

• Droppings – brown and white stains from bird droppings in and around vent openings are a certain indicator of entry
• Nesting Material – straw, grass and debris spilling out of the vent
• Damage – Missing or damaged vent cover louvers could be a sign that animals are gaining access to the home

 

How to know if your dryer vent is clogged

In the case of your dryer vent, it is a good idea to make sure it is cleaned regularly, regardless of wildlife activity. Lint build up can create safety risks and reduce the life of your appliance.

• Clothes take longer to dry – if hot air and moisture are unable to escape it will take longer for your clothes to dry
• The dryer and clothes get extremely hot – if your dryer’s motor and blower are working extra hard it can cause things to overheat and wear out
• Burning smell – Lint and nesting material are very flammable and can burn at high temperatures

 

How can we help?

As part of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control’s comprehensive preliminary inspection, our technicians check to make sure that your vents aren’t home to unwanted guests. If you have an active entry, our technicians will humanely remove the culprits, clean up their mess and prevent their re-entry.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Our vent screens are guaranteed for life against re-entry
• They won’t rust and stain your home’s brick or siding
• They will continue to allow your vent to properly exhaust

Call us today to book your inspection 1-877-222-9453