Best Rodent Removal From Attic [The Ultimate Guide]

Best Rodent Removal From Attic [The Ultimate Guide]

Rodent removal from attic is of utmost importance for homeowners. Attics serve as prime nesting grounds for common rodents such as raccoons, mice, and squirrels. These furry intruders can wreak havoc on your property and pose various risks.

In this section, we will explore the significance of rodent removal from attic and shed light on the negative effects these pests can have. Most homeowners discover their presence finding stains on the ceiling of the living space, or smelling a foul odor coming from the attic (especially on hot Chicago summer days.)

You may find little droppings, urine, or food supplies such as acorns, seeds, etc. To remedy the animals in your attic you should get several estimates, review multiple opinions, and treatment ideas before taking action. When left unchecked, rodents can cause extensive damage to your attic and the overall structure of your home.

They are notorious for gnawing on electrical wires, insulation, and wooden beams. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of your property but also increases the risk of electrical malfunctions and potential fire hazards. Rodent removal from attic is something very common.

Rodent Removal From Attic

Negative Effects Of Rodents In The Attic

Additionally, rodents in the attic can lead to health concerns for you and your family. Their droppings, urine, and nesting materials can contaminate the air you breathe, carrying harmful bacteria and allergens. Breathing in these pollutants can trigger respiratory issues and other health problems.

Moreover, rodents are known carriers of diseases such as leptospirosis, hantavirus, and salmonellosis, posing a threat to human health. Furthermore, the presence of rodents in the attic can disrupt your peace of mind and comfort within your own home.

These critters are active primarily during the night, causing noises and disturbances that can be highly disruptive to your sleep and daily activities. The constant scratching, scurrying, and squeaking sounds can create an unsettling atmosphere, leading to stress and anxiety.

Lastly, rodents in the attic can have an impact on your property’s value. Make sure to do rodent removal from attic  before getting an appraisal of the property. If you plan to sell your home in the future, the presence of rodent infestation and damage can significantly lower its market appeal.

Consider rodent removal from attic if you want to sell the property. Prospective buyers may be deterred by the knowledge of past or current rodent problems, affecting the overall perceived value of your property.

Negative Effects Of Rodents In The Attic

Rodent Behavior in Attics

Rats, mice, squirrels, and raccoons are quite common. While squirrels and raccoons will leave much larger feces as well as food supply shells such as acorns and walnuts. They create rodent holes and tunnels, particularly in loose fill fiberglass insulation commonly found in attics.

Mice, in particular, display a preference for fiberglass insulation over other materials. Firstly, mice are skilled at moving and manipulating fiberglass insulation. They have a knack for rearranging it to create nests and pathways. They often move the insulation from one area to another, bunch it up, and hollow it out, creating cozy spaces for nesting.

This behavior is driven by their natural instinct to seek shelter and warmth, making fiberglass insulation an attractive material for them to work with. Moreover, the presence of mice in fiberglass insulation can lead to significant damage. Rodent removal from attic is necessary.

These small creatures leave holes throughout the insulation as they burrow and create their nests. The constant gnawing, chewing, and scratching can weaken the insulation’s structure, reducing its effectiveness in maintaining proper temperature regulation within your home. Additionally, mice may chew on electrical wires in the attic, posing a fire hazard and potentially causing electrical malfunctions.

Insulation that has been rearranged and hollowed out by rodents loses its effectiveness in providing adequate thermal insulation and energy efficiency. The compromised insulation may result in heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer, leading to increased energy consumption and higher utility bills.

Rodent Behavior in Attics

Rodent Removal and Insulation Replacement

Firstly, our featured insulation, Premium Class 1 Borate Treated Cellulose, offers a superior solution for attic sealing. This type of insulation is specifically treated with borate, a naturally occurring mineral, which acts as a deterrent to rodents.

The borate treatment makes the cellulose insulation unattractive to rodents, significantly reducing the likelihood of future infestations. This rodent-resistant feature sets it apart as an ideal choice for insulation replacement in rodent-infested attics.

Additionally, replacing contaminated fiberglass insulation with rodent-resistant cellulose offers several benefits. Firstly, it eliminates the nesting material and potential hiding spots for rodents, making the attic less appealing to them.

By removing the contaminated insulation, you eliminate the source of odor, allergens, and bacteria associated with rodent infestations. The replacement with borate-treated cellulose provides a clean and safe insulation environment for your attic.

Moreover, the process of rodent removal and insulation replacement involves a systematic approach. First, the rodents and their nests must be safely and humanely removed from the attic. This may require the expertise of professionals who can effectively trap and remove the rodents.

Once the rodents are eliminated, the contaminated fiberglass insulation is carefully removed and disposed of, ensuring the proper handling of any hazardous materials. Furthermore, after the removal of rodents and contaminated insulation, the attic is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

This step is crucial to eliminate any remaining odor, bacteria, and allergens. Furthermore rodent removal from attic. The disinfection process helps restore a healthy environment in the attic and minimizes the risk of health issues associated with rodent infestation.

Lastly, the new insulation, Premium Class 1 Borate Treated Cellulose, is installed to replace the removed fiberglass insulation. This cellulose insulation is blown into the attic, ensuring complete coverage and optimal thermal performance.

Its rodent-resistant properties provide long-term protection against future infestations, giving you peace of mind and a more energy-efficient attic. This way you can successfully address rodent removal from attic.

How to get rid of mice

7 Expert Ideas on How to Get Rid of Mice From the Attic

  1. Air sealing the attic floor to prevent mice from reaching the attic floor by sealing the penetrations around vent stacks, HVAC, plumbing and electrical penetrations, and framing gaps while the attic floor may be sealed after attic treatment, the mice will still nest in the walls, basement and crawl space if the exterior penetrations are not treated.
  2. Removing feces / droppings with high powered vacuum while leaving the existing insulation in the attic
  3. Disinfecting the entire attic to neutralize odors and kill bacteria ( similar to cleaning a rug from dog or cat urine )
  4. Providing insulation baffles for ventilation  in every joist bay and a vapor barrier top plate to baffle dam to prevent blown in insulation from clogging the soffits
  5. Blowing in premium class 1 borate treated cellulose which is rodent resistant
  6. Insulate air air seal hatch cover or pull down ladder
  7. Seal exterior penetrations in the building envelope using a local contractor ( painter, handyman, or pest control service with exterior air sealing experience.) Mice in particular can fit through very small gaps so minding the gaps of the building envelope is crucial to preventing intrusion.
Rodent Removal from Attic Cost

Rodent Removal from Attic Cost

When it comes to attic pest remediation, the cost can vary depending on several factors. It’s essential to consider these factors to estimate the expenses accurately. Firstly, the cost of attic pest remediation embraces disinfection, insulation removal, air sealing the attic floor to block penetrations, and the installation of pest-resistant insulation like cellulose.

The overall cost is typically calculated based on the square footage of the treatment area. However, it’s important to note that he size of the attic and the extent of the damage, can significantly affect the final cost. Moreover, it is common to find a significant variation in treatment plans when homeowners receive multiple quotes for infestation cleanup.

This discrepancy is due to differences in treatment plan line items, warranty, and performance considerations for comfort and efficiency. On average, disinfection can range between $1-2 per square foot, while the removal of existing insulation may cost between $1-2 per square foot.

For air sealing the attic, complete ventilation installation, and insulation to achieve the optimal R60 level, the cost can range from $3-5 per square foot.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover costs?

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover costs?

Most homeowners insurance policies may offer coverage for “acts of nature” but rarely do mice, squirrels, raccoons, and bugs fall into the covered category.

Occasionally, if a raccoon does damage to the exterior soffits to gain entry, an insurance claim may be needed to supplement the cost of repairs.

In most cases, your insurance policy will not cover mice in attics, and the attic project would be recommended for changes despite the infestation, to shield the home against heat and cold.

rodent removal from attic near me

Should The Existing Insulation Be Completely Removed?  

  1. If the existing insulation is damaged by feces and urine it can be disinfected, similar to the process of cleaning pet urine on carpet.
  2. If the insulation is compressed, disturbed, and generally just moved around, it can be disinfected and remain in the attic after treatment providing a base layer for the new insulation to be blown over the top.  
  3. If the insulation is infected  and compromised it can be vacuumed out first before providing new insulation.
  4. Rodent removal from attic might lead to remove the insulation
Rodent removal from attic might lead to remove the insulation

Conclusion

Contact us today for a free estimate on rodent removal from attic and begin the process of creating a clean healthy home environment. Take advantage of  our true and tried best approach for a healthy comfortable home.

Solve attic problems like mice where critters enjoy proximity to food, shelter and warmth. Rodent removal from attic is the solution. Eliminate icicles, reduce heating and cooling costs, ensure a complete moisture thermal and pressure barrier for your attic space in the process.

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