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.