When you notice some animals living in your roofing system, the best course of action is to ask a pest control company to get rid of them. Learn about some of them by reading on.

Squirrels

Although they look cute, gentle, and totally harmless, squirrels can inflict a great deal of damage to your roof. The problems they cause can sometimes be mild and unnoticeable, such as scratches on your metal sheets and peeling on a few shingles. But there also are times when these bushy-tailed rodents sneak inside your home and gnaw onto the wooden parts of your roof. Their teeth are sharp and strong enough to chew your wooden frames and even your ceilings.

Thankfully, it’s easy to prevent these tree-dwelling creatures from entering your house and damaging your roof. The first thing you need to do is to determine where their point of entry is. Check your roof’s fascia and soffit and see if there are tiny gaps in them where the squirrels can squeeze through. Patch them up as needed. If you can’t see any openings or holes where these critters can pass through, it’s best to leave it to the experts. Call animal control services and have them capture the squirrels and take care of your problem.

Birds

Many homeowners think that birds building nests on the roof won’t cause any harm. That’s quite far from the truth, though, because just letting these flying creatures be can result in several roofing problems. For example, tiny debris from the nests they build may slide down to the gutter and downspout and lead to clogs. 

You might encounter severe issues if you don’t do anything to get rid of the birds on your roof. Their excrement, for instance, can damage your shingles. Bird droppings are highly acidic, so they won’t take much time before your asphalt and wooden roofing materials corrode. They also stimulate the growth of moss and algae, which effectively trap moisture and lead to decay.

Various laws prohibit individuals from capturing birds or transporting their nests to another spot. So, even if these feathered animals build their homes on your roof or gutter, do not try to remove them on your own. Always call experts and let them do the job for you.

Termites 

Wood-boring insects, like termites, can be pretty dangerous. These bugs are small, but they can deal a lot of damage to homes. A single termite won’t cause any harm, but a huge colony made of thousands of individual bugs will surely lead to severe problems. They can cause foundational and structural issues when they start to feast on the wooden frames of your roofs and ceilings. 

There are various species of termites you may encounter at home. One of the types that can cause extensive damage is the drywood termite. They have large mandibles strong enough to chew on hardwood, which is often used for roofing frames and home foundations. Dampwood termites, meanwhile, prefer gnawing on moist lumber. They usually eat wood that is exposed to rainwater.

Another species is called the subterranean termite, which is smaller compared to the previous two. It is considered to be the most common of their kind, and they often have underground colonies. They build elaborate tunnels in the soil and enter the home by finding any wooden part of the house that touches the ground. It takes a while before they reach the roof, but the damage they inflict will definitely be severe.

If you suspect termite infestation at your home, contact a pest control company right away. Experts can recommend you reliable treatment plans to eliminate these wood-boring insects and prevent them from inflicting any major damage.

Rats

Rats are among the peskiest critters to deal with. Apart from being unsanitary and foul-smelling, they can also cause various roofing problems for many homeowners. They have sharp and strong teeth, so they can easily chew on wooden frames and shingles. And since they reproduce really quickly, they can be pretty difficult to get rid of. 

When you have rats in your home, be sure to request pest control services from a trusted contractor. They have the expertise and the right tools to effectively capture these rodents and stop them from causing any more damage to your home.