Apr 30, 2021, 08:40 AM by Clark Pest Control in Lodi

Are you hearing strange sounds coming from your attic? It could be pests scratching and scurrying about. Although the attic may be merely a storage space to you, it can often be a welcoming home for pest intruders, including rodents, bats, raccoons, and spiders.

Clark, your friendly termite, grounds care, and pest management expert, can help pest proof your attic and keep it pest free.

Inspection is the key

Many homeowners don’t visit their attics very often. Still, it’s important to look up there occasionally to see if anything has changed structurally. Holes in the roof from missing shingles, openings around the roofline, or damaged vent covers can allow a variety of pests access to your attic.

If you notice gnawed boxes or damaged insulation, or see evidence of rodent droppings, it’s time to call a pest management professional to come out for a closer look.

Pest proofing

Keeping pests out of attics starts with pest proofing.

• Have your roof inspected for missing shingles or openings that could let pests in.
• Seal cracks or openings around chimneys or utility penetrations with the appropriate heavy-duty materials.
• Make sure the screening on chimneys or ventilation screens has no openings.

Who are the attic pests?

Roof rats

As their name would suggest, roof rats prefer to live in the upper parts of buildings, such as in attics. Roof rats are known for their extraordinary climbing ability, and can easily use nearby trees to reach the upper levels of buildings. Roof rat pressure has been in the rise in California, and these outliers are able to squeeze through access points as small as a quarter. They can gain entry to a home by following pipes or by gnawing through materials such as wood, aluminum siding, and drywall.

House mice

House mice prefer to live in dark, secluded areas, and often invade attics. Exposed insulation, packing supplies, and other storage items provide perfect nest-building materials for these rodents. Also, getting up to the attic is no problem for house mice, because they are excellent climbers and can easily scale branches that touch buildings.

Bats

There are 25 different bat species in California, with the most common being the big brown bat and Mexican free-tailed bat. Big brown bats can quickly roost in an attic and use it as their own personal cave. These flying creatures are able to squeeze through openings as small as half an inch, and will take advantage of architectural gaps near the edges of rooflines, crawling further into structures once they’ve entered. Big brown bats prefer to stay in the same place year round and can create big problems if infestations are left unchecked. Brown bats are protected by law in most states, so anyone suspecting an infestation should contact animal control or Clark for assistance.

Cluster flies

Cluster flies get their common name from their habit of forming compact clusters, typically in wall voids and attics. They are widely distributed and can be a nuisance in the autumn, winter, or spring – in autumn when they enter homes to hibernate, and again in the spring, when they attempt to leave the structure.

Squirrels and raccoons

Despite their name, some types of tree squirrels will find their way into attics. The attic and its insulation provide the perfect refuge for tree squirrels to overwinter. Unfortunately, it also makes reaching these furry invaders more challenging, which could result in costly repairs.

Raccoons use their strength and expert climbing abilities to get into homes and attics, sneaking through poorly screened vents or eave gaps.  Raccoons also have been known to rip right through roofing materials to gain entry.

Clark Pest Control is committed to safeguarding your home from pests during these challenging times. Our service technicians use such personal protective equipment as gloves, masks, and respirators they practice social distancing, they call ahead to notify before a service, and they adhere strictly to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when servicing inside or outside your home.

If you think that pests or wildlife may be inhabiting your attic, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.