Fall Checklist- Inspect for Uninvited House Guests

It was two hours past the appointed time for the termite inspection. Finally, the truck pulled up, and a very apologetic technician greeted me and told me the story of what had caused the delay.

He had been stuck at a house trying to catch the raccoon family that had made its nest in the attic. The homeowners, to their shock, had no idea that the animals had lived in their house for a while. Thanks to the thick roll-out insulation, they had heard no suspicious noises. Only when the ring camera caught the intruders as they were making their entry into the house did the homeowners realize they had a problem.

 

The inspector told me that he has recently seen a significant increase in calls for raccoon removal. Catching the animals is relatively easy, but repairing the attic after they have moved out can cost several thousand dollars.  

Pests like mice, squirrels, rats, or raccoons typically try to enter the attic during spring or fall to raise their young or find shelter from the cold.

Fall is a good time to inspect the exterior of your house for possible entryways. 

Think about where the animal could have gotten in and what the entry point looks like. Walk around the home’s exterior, looking all over to see if there is a breach. Check the roofline, gutters, and vents.

Chewing marks around a two-inch hole may be the work of a squirrel. Smaller holes with grease marks and trails are the work of rodents like mice and rats. Additionally, a large hole torn into the roofing and siding is most likely the work of a raccoon.

Next, climb into the attic and inspect for footprints in the dust, chewing marks, or fecal matter.

If everything is clear and there are no visible holes in your exterior, make it a habit to inspect it regularly. Please immediately call a reputable pest control company to avoid further damage if you find evidence of animals living in your home. This will most likely save you a lot of money in repairing the damage.