Now that it's Spring and the weather is
getting warmer, pests are emerging looking for a new place to stay. One of the
best places could be on your roof! If pests get to a level of infestation, it
can be very expensive to get it taken care of and those pests removed. To
prevent an infestation from happening, there are a few things you can do to
your roof to deter these pests. Continue reading to learn tips on how to
prevent pets from damaging your roof.
Common
Pests And The Damage They Cause
Before diving into prevention tips, it's
important to know what you are looking out for. The most common insects that
could be on your roof are termites, carpenter ants, wasps, and carpenter bees.
Common rodents include mice, rats, chipmunks, and squirrels.
As for damage, insects that create hives can
create holes, and hollow out sections of your roof, and can cause structural
damage depending on the weight of the hive that is built. If a hive is built in
a vent, it can block the ability to ventilate your attic and roof. Termites
could eat and destroy all the wood that makes up your roof, including decking,
trusses, and rafters. This could lead to massive structural issues as the wood
breaks down.
Pests such as rats, mice, chipmunks, and
squirrels, can chew and gnaw on all different materials in your attic and roof,
no matter if it's wires, insulation, and pipes.
Tips On
Preventing Pests
1. Place Moth
Balls
Moth balls can be placed in your attic to help
deter roof pests from entering and staying. Specifically rats and bats have
toxic reactions to mothballs.
- Trim Trees
If branches are hanging over your roof, it
gives easy access for pests to simply walk over. This will also prevent shading
from happening, which can easily lead to moss and mildew growth, which is the
perfect place for pests to stay.
3. Clean Your
Roof and Gutters
Pests enjoy harboring in areas that have lots
of debris. Mosquitoes also enjoy staying in areas that have water pooling and
if your gutters are clogged, you could be attracting a swarm. Cleaning out your
gutters and having your roof cleaned will help prevent pests from finding a
nice spot to nest.
There are also other reasons that you should
be cleaning out your gutters this Spring. Learn why it's important here.
4. Schedule A
Roof Inspection
A roof inspection will be able to identify any
problem areas where pests are getting in or why they are entering your home.
There is a myriad of problems that could be enticing pests: gaps or holes in
your roof, poor roof ventilation, rotting wood, an increase of mixture in your
home, and more.
An inspection is a great way to have your roof
checked for any holes, openings, or opportunities for pests to get in. ARAC
Roof It Forward offers a free video roof inspection so we can show you the
videos and pictures from the roof and recommend any necessary repairs. Our goal
at Roof It Forward is to provide our community with high-quality roofing
solutions to keep you and your family safe at home. Schedule your free video
inspection today!
