Some homeowners welcome little furry trespassers on the lawn. In fact, many people hang feeders just to attract birds and other wildlife. However, once they burrow into the home, these cute creatures can cause serious damage. Animals in the attic and walls can tear up a home’s interior and leave behind a huge mess. Not to mention, the fire hazard: animals that chew wires pose a bevy of threats.

How Do Animals Get into the Home?

Although they can break in anywhere, animals like squirrels, raccoons and birds most frequently sneak in through the roof:

• Gaps in the fascia boards or soffit;
• Cracking or looseness in the siding;
• Open vents, windows and chimneys;
• Weak joints, shingles and trim.

Small animals are good climbers. Some will scale the side of the home easily, while others use nearby trees to jump onto it. Either way, they will exploit holes. For instance, squirrels chew, raccoons rip, birds nest and possums lift. Even the smallest means of ingress can give full animal families passage into the attic.

What to Do about Animals in the Attic?

Luckily, some infestations are temporary—some even seasonal. Nevertheless, ignoring the problem only invites more problems. That is unless the animals are somehow protected. For example, some municipalities prohibit the relocation active bird nests. In most cases, though, pest control can come in and swiftly deal with the problem. And no, this does not mean hurting the animals (maybe just the insects).

Once free from animals, a contractor will need to visit the home and assess the damage. Besides cleaning, it’s super important that the source of the infestation gets fixed and any other potential spots reinforced.