While it is great to see wildlife in your garden and in local parks, when animals find their way into your home and make it their home too it can be a different story altogether. Many animals will seek out a warm home in which to build their nests, but this can cause significant damage to your house in a number of ways.
For many animals, your roof and loft area provide much-needed shelter and much-loved warmth. Instead of braving the elements, they have protection from the weather and from predators. They’ll often see your roof as a potential shelter, complete with ready-made nesting materials such as loft insulation or any cardboard boxes you may have stored.
Squirrels, birds, bats, and rats are common roof-dwellers, seeking out any crevices in your roof to make a nest, causing problems such as:
- Electrical cable damage
- Increasing the potential for fire
- Damage to your possessions
- Noises disturbing your sleep
- Bringing diseases into your home
- Deterioration of your roof
Four steps to protect your roof from unwanted animals
- Check vents
Animals will look for small entry points to sneak in through. It’s a good idea to check that your vents are still functioning well, with no gaps around the sides, or that they have not suffered any deterioration or are loose.
It is also important to check that no animals are using the vent for their nest as a blockage can prevent oxygen from entering your home, which in turn can cause a different set of problems.
- Chimney Cap
Chimneys are a favourite place to nest for many birds and animals. A chimney cap can reduce the risk of animals from entering your home. Remember to make sure your flue is completely open when you need to use the fireplace, but the chimney can be covered when it is not in use.
- Nearby trees and hedges
It is important to limit an animal’s access to your roof; one way is to make sure your roof is relatively exposed. This means trimming nearby trees and bushes so that there isn’t an easy path to access your loft.
- Look for holes
The best way to check your attic space for any gaps in the roof is to turn the lights off; if you can see daylight anywhere, then you have a hole in the roof that should be repaired.
Removing animals from the roof
For protected species, such as bats, it is an offence to remove them or their roosts, while it is also an offence to release grey squirrels back into the wild. With this in mind, it is always a good idea to seek advice from pest removal experts to ensure you are complying with the law and are treating the removal humanely.
Prevention is better than the cure
As it can be very stressful to have pests inhabit your roof and a hassle to remove them, it is essential to protect your roof to prevent it from becoming infested in the first place. Pest-proofing your roof will give you peace of mind and be more cost-effective in the long run.
If you need help pest-proofing your roof or have noticed any areas in need of repair, then get in touch with the team at Roof Rescue. We offer a range of roofing services to protect your home and give you peace of mind. Call 020 3189 1618 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
