Common Attic Pests

If you have ever seen me in action, you may notice that I tend to spend a relatively long period of time in the attic. There are several things I am looking for including:  

• Cracks or other Structural Issues  
• Evidence of Leaks, Past or Present
• Organic Growth 
• Unsafe Electrical  

• Dangerous Venting  
• Proper Insulation and Ventilation

While it is not part of a standard home inspection, I also carefully look for any evidence of the presence of pests. There are four major pests I look for that are common in Nova Scotia. 

Mice & Rats
October is a time of leaves falling, Halloween approaching and colder weather coming. This also means that rodents are looking for a nice warm shelter. Unfortunately, mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime and can produce up to 150 babies a year. Not only do mice carry a significant amount of disease, but they also love to chew electrical wires.  

Squirrels
This is probably the second most common pest I have heard homeowners complain about. Squirrels are acrobatic and will chew through wires to enter an attic space. While disease isn’t as big of a concern, they can quickly wreck electrical systems. 

Raccoons 
These pests can tear through vents and mesh and are very intelligent. The biggest danger is that raccoons are very aggressive and will attack humans with their sharp claws. Fortunately, because of their large size it is more challenging for them to enter attics.  
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Birds 
While I was out for a walk in my neighbourhood, I observed several birds flying in and out of an attic through a hole in the soffit. Birds not only carry diseases but tend to get very comfortable if not removed immediately. While they won’t chew like squirrels, they have the advantage of being able to fly to any hole to enter the attic space.  

What can you do to keep these residents from squatting in your home? There are a few common steps to take to be proactive. Remember, the best way to remove pests is to prevent them from entering in the first place.  

• Regularly inspect the roof (or call me to do it!) for any holes, no matter how small.  
• Trim branches away from homes.  
• Keep clutter, firewood, etc. away from the home.  

• Regularly inspect the attic space (or once again call me!). This is especially important to check for moisture, which is not only bad for homes but good for pests. 

While it can be very difficult to detect many of these pests, I am always on the lookout for evidence such as droppings, unusual insulation patterns and potential entry points. I hope to never have to encounter a pest in the attic and hope you never have to deal with the headache of removing them.