So long as they can find an entry point, attics hold plenty of appeal for wildlife in every season. Winter is the most common season to find wildlife in attics, when food and shelter are in high demand — but wildlife and pests can be driven indoors by summer heat as well, making Kansas City wildlife removal a year-round necessity.
Here’s what you need to know about the different wildlife that may invade your attic and the hazards they present to your home and family.
Why Wildlife Returns After Mid-Summer
Kansas City summers tend to be hottest in the latter half, with temperatures reaching their peak in August. These extreme temperatures make cooler places like attics appealing to wildlife, especially if leaking pipes or HVAC systems provide a much-needed water source.
In particularly hot summers, food can become scarce for wildlife, sending them foraging in residential areas. While this may mean more obvious infestations like mice in your kitchen, other wildlife could find sustenance by chewing on insulation or stored items in the attic. Attics also provide a safe place for nesting and protecting their young from predators.
Types of Wildlife That Invade Kansas City Homes
Kansas City has many different types of wildlife that may invade attics or crawl spaces. It’s very important to never investigate on your own if you suspect wildlife activity in your home, as some critters may be aggressive, and others will carry diseases that are hazardous to your health. If you suspect wildlife has moved into your attic, seek professional Kansas City wildlife removal rather than trying to handle it yourself.
Here is what you need to know about the types of Kansas City wildlife that may find your attic appealing.
Squirrels and Rodents
Squirrels, rats, and mice can easily find their way into attics, causing significant property damage. Their long, sharp front teeth require frequent chewing to keep them filed down, leading them to gnaw through just about anything. Squirrels and rodents can damage wiring, roofing, soffit, insulation, air ducts, and any boxes or other items stored in the attic.
Bats and Birds
Bats and birds can easily fly through gaps in your roof and build nests in your attic. While they may seem innocuous, both bats and birds spread dozens of diseases through their droppings. These diseases don’t just spread from touch, either. Histoplasmosis is a potentially serious respiratory illness caused by spores in the air from bat droppings. Birds can also damage insulation while searching for nesting materials.
Birds and bats can be territorial, guarding their nests or roosting sites if they feel threatened, so it’s best to keep your distance and seek help from professionals if you have them in your home.
Raccoons and Opossums
Raccoons and opossums are most well-known for tearing up garbage in search of food, creating a mess around the perimeter of residential homes.
Did you know? We sometimes mistake “possum” for “opossum,” even though possums are native to Australia and other islands. Here in the Midwest, the pests we face are opossums.
Despite their larger size compared to most home-invading wildlife, these mid-sized critters can still get into attics if a big enough entry point exists. Raccoons and opossums are skilled climbers and will use trees or telephone poles to climb up on roofs. Once on top of a house, they will seek out weak spots in the roof like vents, chimneys, or loose shingles and tear into the roofing to create a large enough space to squeeze through into a cool, comfortable attic.
Both raccoons and opossums can carry diseases and parasites into your home, and their aggressive nature means that you should avoid getting close and seek professional help with wildlife removal.
What to Expect from Professional Wildlife Removal
At Advantage Termite and Pest Control, our goal with Kansas City wildlife removal is always to keep you and your family safe, as well as the animal. When you reach out to us for help, our wildlife removal technicians will inspect your property to determine what type of wildlife has invaded your home and use humane trapping methods to safely relocate them away from your home. Our technicians also inspect the home for potential entry points, sealing them off when possible to prevent re-entry.
If you’re concerned that wildlife may be living in your attic, contact Advantage Termite and Pest Control for safe, humane removal. Call us at first sight – we do it right!
