5+ Things You Can Do or Put on Your Roof to Prevent Animals
Out in the wild, small animals like squirrels and mice are easy prey for bigger predators and prefer to hide in little holes when not foraging for food.
The former are accustomed to climbing up tall trees to look for hollowed-out space, while the latter can get into any type of enclosed space, so getting to your roof and finding a way into the attic is an excellent game plan for them.
Of course, some birds would also love nothing more than to build nests near a warm chimney. So, if you want to prevent unwanted animals from climbing into your attic, you’ll need to locate all the potential entry points and secure them.
However, this brings us to an important question: “What to put on roof to prevent animals?” There are a few good solutions, but first, let’s look at what is causing your animal problems.
Why Animals Are Attracted to Roofs
You may have noticed strange sounds at different times of night and day coming from the roof or attic, which can be pretty unsettling by itself, but it also means potential issues with pests. You can have many animals scheming to climb in through the roof vents or broken shingles. Why do they love roofs so much, you may wonder.
Well, as we’ve mentioned, your roof is prime real estate for about half a dozen different types of critters, but what are they actually after?
- Well, there are a few general reasons you might have animal activity on the roof:
- Tall trees near the house with long branches that provide potential entry points;
- Lots of debris, like little sticks and leaves, in the gutters that make for excellent nest-building material.
- Bird feeders or easily accessible garbage bins are a big food source, enticing the furry intruders to look inside for more.
- Damaged shingles serve as a doorway into plenty of warm and cozy attic space.
Whenever there is animal activity, there are always a few clear signs to look out for, like sporadic strange sounds, animal droppings, animal nests near vents, and chewed or scratched wooden beams.
The Usual Suspects
What animals are the most common attic burglars? Depending on where you live, it can be virtually anything, as even bears have been known to climb trees and try to sneak into houses in the cold North. However, as we mentioned, there are a couple of common home invaders.
Here’s a brief overview of the different types of critters you can run into when inspecting your roof:
- Your classic purveyors of mischief – squirrels, mice, and raccoons looking for food;
- Various species of birds nesting in chimneys and roof or ridge vents;
- Bats, cats or larger animals who want to get inside;
- The local wildlife from nearby wooded areas wandering into town, especially during early fall or heavy storms.
Now that you know what you’ll be dealing with, let’s go over some preventive measures.
Things You Can Do to Keep Animals Off Your Roof
Don’t worry – even if you live in an area with a lot of little animals – there are a few suitable safety precautions you can take to keep them at bay.
1. Trim and prune
If you have any tall trees in your yard, be sure to prune them regularly and trim any tree branches that are getting too close to the house. You should also keep an eye out for climbing vines and similar vegetation and cut it as soon as you spot it.
2. Get a cover for your roof and soffit vents
Today, most companies will offer exhaust vents that, when properly installed, will have features that prevent small creatures from climbing inside, so you can have the old ones replaced. However, a quick fix is to just use a roof vent cover or hardware cloth to prevent curious squirrels or any other animals from getting in.
3. Get some metal flashing and gutter guards
Any at-risk areas like fascia boards will benefit from metal flashing, and you should try to keep your gutters clean. Regular maintenance, coupled with gutter guards, will help prevent the buildup of debris that animals can use as building materials or food.
4. Keep your roof in top condition
Let’s go over a few simple tips for roof maintenance:
- Look for any broken shingles or wood rot and fix them;
- Install a drip edge to prevent water buildup, as it can lead to mold growth that attracts certain animals.
- Check your roof after extreme weather like hailstorms and strong wind, and replace damaged shingles or make any other necessary repairs sooner rather than later.
With that done, we can move on to the last method.
5. Properly secure all trash and food sources that can attract animals
This one seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people neglect it. First, look for any overflowing garbage bins or loose garbage bags lying around. Next, keep your bird feeders away from the house and the roof.
You should also clean the years and ensure that there are no potential nesting materials lying around.
Advanced Solutions
If the problem persists despite your best efforts, you may want to take it up a notch and look for professional help with one of these options.
- Have your roof inspected by a contractor for entry points and animal damage;
- Ask for reinforced barriers in any of the areas where a small animal could sneak through;
- Schedule regular maintenance and roof repair sessions;
- Get motion-activated lights or noise devices;
- Find eco-friendly chemical deterrents you can apply around access points.
An experienced roofing contractor can help you identify problem areas and recommend proper solutions to prevent animals from seeking refuge in your attic, but they can also identify other potential problems. Someone with the experience that Rhino Roofing has can give you unique insights.
Conclusion
If you notice unusual sounds from the roof and want to prevent animals from getting into the attic or making a mess, you have a bunch of options.
From basic prevention like gutter maintenance and tree pruning to hiring professionals and having reinforced barriers or a drip edge installed, it can all help you get rid of your pest problem in a matter of days.
Don’t wait if you think something is crawling on top of your house – you can contact the team at Rhino Roofing and schedule one of the many services we offer today.
After all, it’s your safety and peace of mind that matter the most, so it is best to get rid of unwanted animals as soon as possible before they can do more damage.
