Are you hearing noises in your attic? Are these noises more prominent at night? Chances are you have uninvited house guests. Raccoons, squirrels, bats and chipmunks are often the cause of nighttime jitters. While we are trying to rest after a long day's work, these pesky critters are partying, using our homes as their venue. So how do they get in? Do they carry disease? How much damage can they really cause? Here's what you need to know.
Squirrels and chipmunks have the great ability to squeeze through tiny holes and cracks in your home's exterior. If they spy a hole that is not quite large enough, they'll simply chew it wider until it is comfortable for them to slip through. Raccoons and larger rodents will often seek entrance into your home or outbuildings through the attic or chimney. Uncapped chimneys are a lot more desirable than a cold tree hollow. Often times raccoons will tear off shingles, chew holes in fascia boards or soffits to gain access to your attic. They can also climb and hang from low tree limbs to gain entry as well.
Sharing our homes with wildlife is not only unnerving, but it is costly as well. These rodents can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Holes in torn siding, chewing through drywall and insulation can not only cause heat to escape in the winter months, but can also allow rain water into our ceilings and walls resulting in major water damage. Chewing on electrical wires and the making of nests can lead to an increased risk of fire.
The monetary risks of rodents in the attic are nothing compared to the potential health risks they carry. Not only can the majority of rodents in your home introduce fleas and ticks, which are known carriers of Lyme disease, raccoons are known carriers of rabies. Along with the potential risk of rabies, Raccoon Roundworm is caused by contact with an infected raccoon's feces which can pass the eggs on to humans. Contracting this disease is from the accidental ingestion or inhalation of the eggs. Squirrels are not usually carriers of major disease, but exposure to their excrement has been known to cause salmonella poisoning.
So how can you stop these pests from gaining access to your home? Here are a few tips:
- Inspect your home's attic and crawl space and around broken siding regularly for any evidence of entry
- Ensure your attic and crawl space doors are properly sealed; repair broken or loose siding
- Make sure your trash cans are tightly sealed
- Feed pets inside or remove their food after a meal
- Keep bird feeders away from your home
- Contact a professional pest control specialist if you suspect a wildlife problem
If you live in St. Louis, Columbia, or elsewhere in mid-Missouri and you are hearing bumps in the night, please visit http://www.rottler.com. Rottler Pest & Lawn offers highly effective wildlife management that takes care of raccoons and other nuisance wildlife in mid-Missouri.
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