From raccoons to bats, several wild critters will reside in the attic if given a chance. Why? Asides from the warmth the attic provides, it also provides safety from predators and proximity to food.
However, these uninvited guests wreak innumerable damages once they pick up residence. Depending on the species, they will rip off the insulation, tear wires, and bring in rubbish to build their nest. What’s more, they will pollute the insulation with their droppings, reducing its heating efficiency and filling your home with a foul odor.
Pest control companies like A&D Construction Plus specializes in complete attic restoration, you can reach out to them for free consultation if you are having wildlife problems.
In this post, we focus our attention on what you can do about wildlife-related insulation damages.
First Things First
Before you think about repairs, it’s crucial you first resolve wildlife infestation problems. Without that, anything you do will only be a temporary fix as the animal will cause new damages.
That’s what you need to do:
1. Inspect your attic
Perform a full inspection to determine the extent of your infestation problem. This stage will also help you decide which animal you’re dealing with and how it’s getting in.
2. Get rid of the animal
Depending on the nuisance species you’re dealing with, there are several methods for getting rid of pesky critters. Exclusion is the most preferred option because it is humane. However, the use of non-lethal or even lethal traps may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Because of the complexities involved, working with a professional wildlife removal company may be your best bet.
3. Seal all entry holes
Finally, you must ensure there are no ways for other wild critters to gain access to your attic. During the inspection stage, you should have identified all potential entry holes. This is the time to seal them up. Use caulk or hardware wire to seal these holes, depending on what’s appropriate. You may need to replace damaged or missing roof tiles and repair vulnerable spots.
What To Do About The Insulation?
Wild critters in the attic cause considerable damage to the insulation by ripping it off and littering it with their droppings. Here’s what you need to do to restore your insulation.
1. Wear hand gloves and protective clothing
Before going into the attic for repairs, you must ensure you are well protected. Wild animals leave behind lots of pathogens. Wearing gloves and protective clothing will help you avoid direct contact with animal wastes.
2. Dispose of droppings and remnants
Wild animals leave behind lots of waste. You need to get these wastes out. Put on your gloves and pick up the droppings into a plastic bag. Pick up the ripped-off insulation, wires, papers, and other materials, and put them in the bag. You may need a shovel to scrape off strongly-adhered wastes.
3. Clean, disinfect, and deodorize
You will need to clean the infected area with an enzyme-based cleaner. This will help break down bacteria. You should also apply a deodorizer to eliminate the awful smell from the animal remnants.
You May Need to Replace Your Insulation
If a wild critter stays in the attic for too long, it may cause irrevocable damage to the insulation. For instance, a colony of bats living in the attic for years may have deposited large amounts of waste (guano) that have permanently soiled the insulation. In such cases, you must replace your insulation if you desire to retain its heating efficiency.
Replacing the insulation should not be done by a non-professional because it is challenging and completely a technical work. That’s why you might consider bringing in professionals at first.
