Pest-Proofing the Attic Before Cooler Weather Comes

There are certain signs of fall we all look forward to: cooler nights, the first leaves changing, apple cider, and football on the weekends. And then there are the signs you’d rather not encounter, like scratching, scurrying or thumping coming from somewhere above your ceiling.

Once the weather starts getting colder, we’re not the only ones thinking about staying warm. Mice, squirrels, bats and other critters start looking for protected places to spend the colder months, and a warm, dry attic can be pretty appealing.

I’m certainly not an exterminator, but as a roofer, I spend a fair amount of time in attics. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the mess animals can make once they get inside. They can tear up and nest in insulation, chew on wood and wiring, leave behind droppings, and create some pretty unpleasant odors. Squirrels and other animals can also damage vents, soffits and other parts of the roof while getting in and out. A small entry point can eventually turn into a much bigger home repair. That’s why this is a good time of year to do a little prevention.

Start outside, but don’t expect to find every tiny opening an animal could squeeze through. From the ground, you’re really looking for the more obvious trouble spots: damaged or missing soffit, loose fascia, broken vent covers, damaged siding or anything along the roofline that looks like it has shifted or deteriorated.

Tree branches are worth a look, too. If they’re hanging directly over or touching your roof, they can give squirrels and other animals a pretty convenient route onto the house.

Then, if you can safely access your attic, take a look around inside. One of the easiest things to spot is daylight coming through somewhere it shouldn’t. You can also look for disturbed insulation, droppings, nesting materials, or evidence that something has been chewing. Pay attention to the areas around vents, pipes, wiring and other places where something passes through the roof or an exterior wall.

Your garage and basement deserve a look as well. Check weatherstripping around doors and look around pipes, cables and utility lines for gaps.

The important thing to remember is that animals don’t need a wide-open door. Some can get through surprisingly small spaces. So you’re probably not going to walk around your yard and identify every possible mouse-sized opening in your house. The goal is to find damaged or vulnerable areas and take care of them before something else takes advantage.

Some fixes are simple DIY projects. Replace worn weatherstripping. Secure a loose vent cover. Keep garage doors closed when you aren’t using them. Store firewood away from the house, clean up spilled birdseed, and avoid leaving pet food outside overnight.

Other repairs, particularly anything involving the roof, high soffits or fascia,  are better left to someone who can safely reach them and knows what they’re looking at.

If you already suspect you have an animal living in the attic, that’s when I’d call a wildlife or pest professional rather than simply plugging the hole. You don’t want to trap an animal inside, and you definitely don’t want to seal young animals inside while their mother is outside.

Remember, once we get our first stretch of genuinely cold weather, animal professionals get a whole lot busier. If you’ve been hearing noises or seeing signs that something has moved in, or you’ve had problems in the past, don’t wait until November to deal with it.

Fall home maintenance is mostly about staying one step ahead of winter. Clean the gutters. Check the roof. Put away the hoses. And while you’re at it, make sure you’re not unknowingly offering free winter accommodations to the neighborhood wildlife.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Have a question? Email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” For your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for general guidance only.

Winter’s Unwanted Houseguests: Animals in Your Home

As colder weather finally settles in, you might find yourself sharing your home with some unexpected guests. Mice, raccoons, squirrels, and even possums often look for warmer places to stay as the weather grows colder. Attics make an ideal retreat, providing shelter from the elements. If you’re hearing strange noises—such as squeaks, scurrying, or even hissing—especially late at night, it’s likely that a critter has moved in.

If an animal has taken up residence, it’s important to act quickly before they get too comfortable. Once settled, they may start nesting, which can lead to further damage. Most animals leave clues that help identify them. High-pitched squeaks or chewing sounds usually mean rats or mice, while fast scurrying is often a sign of a squirrel or a mouse. Raccoons, known for their snarling and hissing, tend to make more aggressive noises. While some animals move into your attic on purpose, others may be there by accident and are simply trying to find a way back outside. Understanding what you’re dealing with can help you determine the best course of action.

Animals in your attic aren’t just a nuisance; they pose serious risks to your home. Most will gnaw on anything they encounter, especially mice and rats, which chew through wiring, creating fire hazards. Larger animals like raccoons and possums can tear apart insulation and ruin ductwork, leading to costly repairs. Their droppings and urine can also create unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions.

If your problem is mice or rats, they likely came in looking for warmth and water. These small animals can squeeze through holes as tiny as a dime, so sealing any potential entry points and fixing leaks is essential. Setting bait traps can catch some of the rodents already inside, but long-term solutions require securing all access points to prevent re-entry.

Squirrels, on the other hand, usually prefer the outdoors and may have come into the attic by mistake. They often get in through soffits or vents. One of the best ways to help them leave is by installing an exclusion door—a one-way exit that allows them to leave but not return.

Raccoons are more determined and will stay put if they find a warm, dark spot. Since they’re nocturnal, try leaving lights on in the attic and playing music to encourage them to find somewhere quieter to rest.

Bats are trickier, as they’re usually very quiet unless there’s a large colony present. Due to potential health risks, bat removal should only be performed by a certified DEEP specialist.

Finally, possums, much like raccoons, are resilient squatters that often refuse to leave. Their droppings can quickly accumulate, leaving a huge mess and a foul odor. The best way to handle a possum is to call a professional for humane trapping and removal.

Ultimately, dealing with unwanted animal visitors is best left to professionals. Ignoring the problem can result in more than a few sleepless nights—it can lead to extensive and costly repairs.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Animals Hiding in Your Home This Winter

As nights and early mornings finally settle into a freezing pattern, you might find yourself sharing your home with an unwanted critter or two. The first sign of an animal intrusion is likely the noise. Late at night when all should be quiet, you might be woken up to squeaking, rustling, or even hissing somewhere above your head. As winter sets in, mice, raccoons, possums, and other small animals start looking for warmer shelter, and attics are a popular place for them to reside. What’s important is to take action quickly, before they start to get too settled and begin to nest where they shouldn’t. 

Generally, the noise that the animal makes will tell you what you’re dealing with. Squeaking or chewing sounds are likely rats, scurrying is probably a squirrel or mouse, and snarls or hissing is usually a raccoon. While some of these animals are looking for a place to call home, others may have ended up in your attic by accident and are looking for a way out. It’s a good idea to know the difference. 

Almost all animals are likely to chew through wiring and bigger ones like raccoons or possums can tear apart insulation and ruin ductwork. Even small mice can make unwanted nests and leave an awful smell from their excrement. Although dealing with animal removal is a pretty awful job, leaving an unwanted visitor alone will end up costing you a lot more than sleep. If removing pests isn’t on your resume, call in an exterminator to take care of the problem. 

If you have mice or rats, they have likely moved in because there is a water source. Simple bait traps will help get the ones that are already there, but a mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime, so rodent-proofing is essential. You’ll also want to inspect for any roof leaks as part of the job.

Squirrels are one of the animals I mentioned that might have come in accidentally. They usually prefer it outside and will definitely be looking for a way to leave the attic. Soffits and vents are likely places for squirrels to be able to get in so your best bet is to install an exclusion door that lets the rodents out so they can’t come back. 

A one-way door will also work for raccoons, who don’t mind sticking around if they find a warm, dark, and comfy place to live. However, since raccoons are nocturnal, you can make your attic less accommodating by leaving the lights on and even playing music. They’ll soon look for somewhere else to live. 

Bats are elusive in that they are very quiet and you might not even hear them unless there is a decent size colony making their home in yours. Removal is key and should only be done by a registered DEEP specialist as bats can be diseased. 

Finally, there are possums which, similar to raccoons, won’t want to leave. These guys are pretty resilient and they go to the bathroom everywhere, leaving a huge, smelly mess behind. The best method to get rid of a possum is to have it trapped and removed by a professional. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.