How to Keep Rodents From Nesting in Your Roof

It may surprise Seattle homeowners to learn how vulnerable their roof may be to pests of all kinds. It doesn’t take a wide opening for birds, rodents and insects to infiltrate and nest inside their attics. On top of having to worry about their roof leaking or sagging or their shingles being cracked or warped, homeowners also have to worry about rodents and the host of health issues they carry.

What Rodents Nest in Roofs?

Squirrels

Squirrels are perceptive, persistent and equipped with strong teeth capable of chewing through your roof’s materials to create an entrance if they’re unable to find an existing opening. Once inside, they can burrow and nest in insulation. They also seem to enjoy the taste and/or consistency of wiring and are notorious for causing electrical damage that can cause shorts, malfunctions or even fires. The holes they create or squeeze through also allow water to enter your attic and damage your home. 

Roof Rats

Roof nesting isn’t a behavior all rats exhibit – most breeds burrow underground, not above it. Roof rats are their own breed of rat. Although they look similar to black rats, roof rats have distinct and exceptional climbing skills that allow them to reach elevated structures like your roof.

Mice and roof rats build their nest inside warm and hard-to-reach spaces, such as in between neglected boxes in your attic. They also don’t need protein to survive. Unfortunately for homeowners, they can live off almost anything, including fruit off trees, food in compost piles or bins, vegetables in gardens, tree bark, indoor plants, left-out pet food and even paper.

Although mice and roof rats can exacerbate roof damage, enlarging cracks in your flashing and loosening shingles, property damage isn’t the only harm they can inflict. Both, but especially roof rats, pose an immense health risk to humans.

Rats carry a number of potentially deadly diseases. Rat-bite fever is a common rat-related illness that can result from a bite or scratch. Hantavirus, which can be fatal in some cases, is an airborne disease spread through rat urine particles that permeate the air near where they nest.

Raccoons

Raccoons have the benefit of being bigger and thus easier to spot than mice and roof rats. However, that size difference can also make them more threatening, as they can rip off shingles with their paws and physically harm homeowners and pets (and consequently give them infections) more easily. They also carry fleas and ticks that can impact you and your family’s health if you’re not careful.

How Do I Get Rid of Rodents in My Roof?

If you find a nest inside your roof or attic, seal any holes or cracks in your roof that the rodent could be using to enter your home with steel wool or hardware cloth. Rodents also naturally detest certain smells, like peppermint oil and ammonia, which you can use to drive them out of unreachable roof valleys.

If you suspect a small rodent like a squirrel, mouse or rat is in your attic or nesting in your roof, place snap or electrical traps in your attic with dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter or other high-protein foods as bait. If your trap catches a rodent, make sure to spray the body with bleach or a disinfectant, remove it promptly and sanitize the space afterward.

In many cases, it’s simply better to leave the removal of rodents and pests to professionals with the right training and equipment to humanely remove them. Pest control experts have the experience and resources to safely remove the rodent and thoroughly clean your attic to eliminate the risk of you and your family contracting a rat-related illness.

What Can I Do to Keep Rodents Out?

The best way to deal with rodent infestation is to reduce the risk of it occurring in the first place. Rodents are attracted to indoor spots with access to food, water and warmth. Any roof damage that creates gaps poses a nesting risk. Irregular roof maintenance can allow these cracks and crevices to form, inviting unwanted pests into your home.

Neglecting your roof can not only weaken your home’s curbside appeal and cause interior water damage, but it can even put you and your family’s safety at risk. The roofers at Chet’s Roofing & Construction will fortify your roof against rodent nesting or repair existing damage pests have caused. We’ve been maintaining Seattle roofs and protecting homes from water damage for decades and will work hard and fast to ensure your home is safeguarded from the threats that can plague homeowners.

Hire Trusted Roof Maintenance and Repair Experts in the Seattle Area

The reliable roofers at Chet’s Roofing make maintaining your roof simple, safe and affordable with quality service and craftsmanship. Whether your roof needs maintenance, repairs or replacement, we will ensure it is always in peak condition. Give us a call at (877) 611-1514 today or contact us through our website to receive an estimate or schedule service.