Detecting and Removing Wildlife Nests in Attics and Crawl Spaces

Attics and crawl spaces are two areas of the home that are often overlooked by homeowners. Because of such neglect, these cool, dark spaces become prime breeding grounds for nuisance pests and invasive wildlife. Here’s what you can do if you suspect you have unwelcome wildlife in attics, walls and crawl spaces of your property.

Signs of Wildlife in Attics and Crawl Spaces

If you suspect a pest problem is growing in your attic, watch out for the following:

• Skittering noises or squeaks, especially at night or in the morning
• Gnaw marks or grease stains around attic openings
• Gaps or cracks in exterior walls
• Small, round droppings along attic floors
• A strong ammonia smell from urine
• Torn insulation or electrical wiring

If you notice any of these signs of wildlife in your home, it’s time to take action. The sooner you’re able to remove wildlife from your attic or crawl space, the better off you and your property will be. If left untreated, wildlife infestations can lead to severe health issues for you and your loved ones. In a short amount of time, nuisance wildlife can also cause costly property damage that threatens your property’s structural integrity, as well as power and water loss and the risk of fire hazards.

Removing Wildlife in Attics

There are several ways to remove wildlife in attics or crawl spaces, including:

• Scare them off: Despite their presence in your home, most wild animals are more afraid of you than you are of them. Scare them off with motion-activated lights or by playing a radio around their nesting areas.
• Use strong scents: Many nuisance wildlife, including rodents, raccoons and bats, have a strong sense of smell that they rely on to find food or shelter. Use this to your advantage by placing strong scents, such as peppermint oil, cayenne pepper or mothballs, around your attic or crawl space. Their sensitive noses can’t stand the smell, and they’ll run off in search of another place.
• Consider traps: Most retailers will sell snap traps or poisoned bait for pest removal, but they often cause more problems than they solve. Several at-home removal methods involve strong, toxic chemicals that can put you and your loved ones at risk if not handled properly. Additionally, many of these methods are inhumane, resulting in a slow and painful death for the critter.
• Consulting a wildlife removal professional: Ultimately, the best way to remove wildlife in attics safely and humanely is relying on a wildlife removal expert. An animal removal professional will have access to the necessary tools and techniques to remove nuisance animals while keeping everyone’s health in mind.

Professional Pittsburgh Wildlife Removal Services

For safe and effective wildlife removal, rely on the licensed, trained and experienced experts at Critter Control® of Pittsburgh. Our team will work quickly and efficiently to remove invasive wildlife and their nests from your property and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free wildlife removal estimate, call Critter Control® of Pittsburgh today at 412-767-4067.