Many homeowners dealing with a critter in their house complain about noises from the attic space. While most homeowners never venture into their attics critters seem to frequent them. Why are attics attractive options for denning and nesting?
Many critters including mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, bats and birds are searching for quiet cozy places to set up residence. The elevation of attics from the ground adds to their appeal. Raised platforms keeps nests, dens and young away from ground predators. In addition to elevation attics are protected by roofs.
The roof above an attic offers privacy and solitude. The roof adds a layer of protection from predators and the elements. On the attic floor insulation keeps the critters warm and comfortable. Critters have adapted to entering attics through a variety of means.
All attics are meant to ventilate and breath. Attics will have an intake of cool air through soffit vents and an exhaust of heat and vapor through roof vents. Many homes in North America are also fitted with gable vents. Gable vents allow for a cross breeze effect and help with ventilation. These areas are also the most vulnerable part of the roof/trim line.
Vents are usually covered with thin screening to allow for ventilation. Critters are quick to pick up on these areas. Wildlife will use a combination of tooth and nail to gain entry into the attic through a homes ventilation. In other cases there are cavities that form around the trim and roof line over time. Those areas are torn open and become entry/exit points for critters.
Attics offer wildlife a variety of benefits for housing. Attics are warm, sheltered and relatively isolated from predatory critters and human contact. Homeowners are tipped off to their uninvited roommates through footsteps, scratching, gnawing and crying sounds. If you believe you have a critter living rent free in your attic contact the wildlife professionals at Critter Evictors for more information!