Dealing With Pests
There are plenty of dangers to your roof from damaging winds, ice, hail, falling debris, and plain old-fashioned wear and tear. However, many homeowners don’t realize that pests can also be very damaging to the integrity of your home. Here are the most destructive types of pests when it comes to your roof and how you can tell if you have a pest problem.
Common Pests That Can Damage Your Roof
Termites Do you usually think of termites in terms of ruining your walls and structure of your home? While this is certainly true, termites can also cause costly damage to your roof. Termites like to hang out by wood, especially if it’s rotting due to water damage. When they do their work, they can weaken your roof’s structure and loosen shingles, all of which can add up to the need for expensive repairs or even a full replacement.
Bees Bees can certainly be a pest when you’re hanging out in the back yard, but did you know they can also damage your home? Carpenter bees can tunnel through the structure of your home and their hives can lead to mold and other damage. Bees also attract other pests who eat their larvae, so getting rid of them ASAP is a smart choice for your home.
Birds Birds can nest in your roof, leading to water damage if those nests fall and get stuck in your gutters. Their droppings are also acidic and can damage your shingles. Not only can birds damage the structure of your roof, they can also get noisy and spread disease. If you see nests in your roof, it’s time to call a pest control company and a roofing contractor to check for damage.
Rodents Squirrels, rats, and mice are climbers who love chewing through the substances that hold your roof together. Their goal? To get into your home by any means necessary. If you have a lot of rodents in your area, you need to check for them regularly and quickly get damage repaired so they can’t enter your home.
How to Tell if You Have Pests
Now that you know how damaging pests can be, how do you know if you have a pest problem in your home? The best way to find out is to look for these common signs:
Droppings Small pieces of feces and urine stains are clear signs you have rodents. Insects also leave droppings, but they can be more difficult to spot as they can easily be mistaken for dirt. Familiarize yourself with the appearance of droppings and do visual inspections regularly.
Structural Damage If you see scratches or holes in your attic, you’re likely looking at an infestation. Gnaw marks are another common sign of a termite problem. If you spot gnaw marks on walls or furniture in the attic, call in the professionals right away.
Nests Pests can be tricky with where they build their nests and what they build them out of. Make sure you’re looking on roofing beams and underneath floorboards for nests that can be made of anything from twigs, and leaves, to scraps of paper and other materials.
Damage to Plants If you have damaged shrubs or plants, it’s likely something is eating them. And if they’re eating your plants, they may also be eating at the structure of your home.
Knowing the common types of pests that can damage your home and how to spot them is a proactive way of keeping your home’s structure in the best possible shape. Think you have a pest problem? Contact the pros at Hometown Roofing so we can conduct an inspection.
