The Ultimate Guide To Attic Pest Control

Let’s face it - as cute as some creatures are, you probably don’t want them rumbling through your attic...right? The problem is, once you let them in the first time they get rather cozy and don’t want to leave. If you don’t use the right cleaning methods, you’ll get rid of them once and then they’ll be back in a few weeks. Not so cute anymore, huh? Sadly, some of these guys come with diseases you don’t want to expose to your family. You need to get them out as fast as you possibly can!

Here is a guide on what kind of critters might be living in your home, and how to go about attic pest control.

What Can Possibly Be Hiding Up There?

When you think of pests roaming around in your home, you probably think the basic animals like rats and cockroaches. It goes a little deeper than that! Some unusual and dangerous things that can get in your attic:

Rats/Mice
Your attic is full of soft insulation that a rat or mouse could cozy up in and it doesn’t require much space for them to squeeze in. The best way to tell if they have is invaded is by looking around for droppings and scraps of food.

Termites
The wooden boards of your attic are an all you can eat buffet for harmful termites - especially rotting wood, unsealed wood, or old wood. The way to tell if they are present is by looking for tiny piles of poop. If you’re not sure how you could possibly find that, it looks like a pile of sawdust or insect wings.

Squirrels
Squirrels are absolutely adorable when they are in your yard - not so much when they are in the attic! They make annoying sounds that might sound like a chirp or a bark which makes them pretty noticeable. When you go inspect the sound, you might notice seeds and other bits of food.

Jerks with Wings (Stinging Insects)
Stinging insects love the dry environment of your attic. If you’re not sure it’s them, you’ll hear buzzing and slight humming. If you decide to go after their hive, make sure you wear thick clothes and that no skin is exposed. Stings won’t feel very good!

Trash Pandas (Raccoons)
Raccoons can be really aggressive, so don’t try and remove them yourself! They can get in through vents with a bad screen, or any kind of gap. They also aren’t above tearing right through your roof to get in!

Snakes
Snakes are probably one of the most dangerous things to get into your attic. They are actually good climbers and can get in through pretty much any gap. You probably won’t find a poisonous snake up there, but a rat snake instead. This means you have two pest problems. Fun times!

Sanitation And Cleaning

The first step to getting rid of your pest problem is by sanitizing and cleaning the place. If there is no food to attract them, they might not come sniffing around. Get rid of weeds, garbage piles, and overgrown vegetation. When you take out the garbage, put it in an outdoor bin and make sure the lid is on it tightly. Most of these guys need water to live - make sure you cut off their water source in the attic as well!

Cover All Your Bases

By covering all your bases, we mean any place that these pests can use to enter your home. Seal any of these cracks! Any doors, windows, and screens must be tight and secure. Use things that they can’t easily chew through. This usually means sheet metal, expanded metal, iron grills, hardware cloth, or cement mortar. Some use steel wool because it’s easy to get and rats can’t chew through it.

Don’t Use Bait

Using bait might leave your home with an unpleasant stench that will take a while to get out. Instead, take measures to trap unwanted pests to remove them and relocate them to another area. If you don’t have experience trapping, it’s best to call a professional. Some pests like snakes and raccoons are highly dangerous, so you should never try to remove them yourself. Your state may also have certain laws with trapping pests like squirrels or raccoons and relocating them. You’ll want to talk to your local wildlife agency before you try any removal methods.

Humane Removal Methods

The most humane attic pest removal method is one that doesn’t require you to remove pests at all. This means stopping the problem before it occurs! Again, repair all cracks, even if it’s just a small one. You’d be surprised at what a pest can fit through! Trim your hedges to make sure flying pests (or pests that can jump long distances) won’t get in. Once they get in, you might not be able to remove them without killing them! The best tip for attic pest control is to stop it before it happens. Once they get in, you’ll have to clean everything. Usually, pests leave clear signs, so it’s all a matter of knowing what to look for. If you can’t remove them yourself, it’s time to call in a professional.

Thinking about DIY pest control but aren’t sure if it’s the best method? Visit our blog to find out why it might be a bad idea!