Rodents in your attic? Here’s how to get them out.
Rodents are no stranger to Hamilton County residents. It is not uncommon to find mice, rats, squirrels, and/or other rodents in your attic. These critters can be a nuisance and cause serious damage to your attic and health. It is important to check regularly for possible rodents hiding and nesting in your attic. If you find rodents in your attic, call the professionals at Critter Control of Hamilton County, our experts are ready to help.
So, why are rodents entering my attic?
Rodents have a similar want as humans—to have a comfortable shelter. The warmness of your attic can sound like a beach vacation for a rodent during colder months. In spring, it may seem like the perfect place to raise a rodent family. Rodents can enter through the tiniest hole or gap, and once inside, will have no problem setting up camp in your attic.
How to remove rodents from your attic.
Leave it to the professionals.
Rodent removal is a dangerous task to take on by yourself. Rodents are carriers of dangerous diseases, such as rabies. Contact with them or their feces can transmit the disease to you. Rodents can also be very smart and strategic animals making it difficult to catch them. The professionals at Critter Control of Hamilton County have years of experience removing rodents. Our experts know the best ways to trap rodents and keep them from returning. Call for an inspection today!
After we safely and successfully remove rodents from your attic, it is important that steps are taken to prevent them from coming back. Learn about our Attic Restoration/Insulation service and process here. Other ways to protect your home include:
Seal Up Any Holes
The easiest way to prevent rodents from returning is to seal up the holes they entered from. Remember that rodents can get through holes the size of a dime, so be diligent when sealing up holes. Look for cracks in your foundation or gaps in your roof or vents.
Clean Up Messes
It is important to keep your attic clean and free from debris and clutter. Rodents like to use shredded paper, insulation, old clothing, and other materials to build nests.
Clean, fix, and repair any messes left behind by rodents
Wear protective gear while cleaning up messes left behind rodents. Rodents can spread diseases through their left behind feces and droppings. It is important to use the correct disinfectant products when cleaning soiled attics. Don’t forget to replace and repair any torn or chewed up insulation, wires, or wood.
Why do I need to remove animals from my attic?
Wildlife living in your attic can cause various risks and damage, so it is important to remove them at the first sign of infestation.
Some common issues seen in Hamilton County homes include:
- Structural Damage: Wildlife in your attic will often gnaw on wooden beams, insulations, and other structural components. This can weaken the attic’s integrity and lead to costly repairs or pose safety hazards.
- Fire Hazards: Another common thing wildlife chew on is electrical wires. Damaged wires can cause short circuits, leading to electrical fires in the attic that can potentially spread to the rest of your home.
- Health Risks: Wildlife can carry diseases, parasites, and bacteria that are harmful to humans and pets. Animal droppings, urine, and carcasses left behind can contaminate your attic, leading to potential health issues as air circulates through living spaces.
- Insulation Damage: As wildlife occupy your attic many will make nests by tearing up insulation. This reduces its effectiveness and can increase energy costs related to heating and cooling. Not to mention, another thing that must be replaced.
- Roof damage: Wildlife can gain access to your attic by damaging shingles, vents, or soffits to create an entry point. Damaged parts of your roof can create water leaks during rain or snowstorms.
- Attracting Other Pests: When there is one type of wildlife in your attic, the chances of another coming along increase. As we’ve learned wildlife are attracted for the same reasons across species—food, water, and shelter.
Now that you know the risks associated with wildlife living in your attic, call the professionals at Critter Control of Hamilton County to get them out quickly and safely.
Another common creature that may be living in your attic is bats.
Are there bats in your attic? Here’s how to get them out.
Have you heard scratching, squeaking, or fluttering in your attic? It could be bats. It is not uncommon to hear these flying mammals hiding in your Hamilton County attic during the night.
How do you know if you have bats in your attic?
In order to get bats out of your attic, you first need to determine if it’s really bats, you’re dealing with, or another critter. The signs of bat activity can be similar to other rodents, so the easiest way to know is by physically seeing them. Bats will nest indoors in areas that are dark, undisturbed, and have easy access to the outdoors at night—which in most cases accurately describes your attic. There are other signs that a bat might be living in your attic besides visually seeing one:
You see:
- Piles of droppings in one corner of your attic or near an entry point
- Droppings on the attic insulation
- Stains on attic walls
You smell:
- A strong smell of ammonia, which is caused by excrement
You hear:
- Squeaking or chirping
- Scratching
- Fluttering
How did bats get into your attic?
Bats often find shelter in homes during winter to escape the cold weather or to give birth to their young. Bats are able to easily enter attics through small openings or narrow gaps high on your house. They may also enter under loose-fitting doors, around windows and through gaps around conduits and utility vents. Bats only need an entry hole the size of a dime. Bats prefer attics over closets or living rooms because it is similar to their native shelter (trees, caves, and crevices).
I have bats, how do I get them out?
Leave it to the professionals.
Bat removal can be a dangerous task to take on by yourself. You can risk both your own and the bat(s) safety and well-being. Bats are common carriers of rabies and other dangerous diseases, and can transmit diseases to you through bites, scratches, or contact with bodily fluids. Many of the bats found in Hamilton County are on the threatened or endangered list and are protected by law. It is important to understand the Ohio state regulations when dealing with bat removal.
Save the headache of removing bats yourself and call the professionals at Critter Control of Hamilton County. Our experts are trained in bat removal and know how to remove bats while following Ohio state regulations safely and humanely. We are ready to help solve your bat problems today, call Critter Control of Hamilton County at 317.953.2523 for an inspection!
How do I keep them from coming back?
Now that we have safely and successfully removed the bats from your attic, it is important that you put measures into place to keep them from coming back. Bats are creatures of habit and will keep returning to the same spot year after year if measures aren’t put in place to keep them out. Our experts can put preventative measures into place, so you don’t have any more visits from these nuisance animals.
Here are steps to prevent bats from entering your attic:
Seal up any holes
The easiest way to prevent bats from returning is to seal up the holes they entered from. Remember that bats can get through holes the size of a dime, so be diligent when sealing up holes.
Clean up any mess
While wearing protective gear (gloves, masks, easy to clean clothes) collect any loose droppings or debris and dispose of them. Disinfect the area and dispose of any contaminated insulation or damaged wood. Learn about our Full-Service Attic Repair process here.
Keep your house clean and cleared
Get rid of unnecessary items and clutter in your attic. This will discourage bats from viewing your clutter as nesting potential or protection from the elements.