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Curious how to Remediate Animal Infestation – 7 steps from the experts > Insulation> Insulation Blogs - Information - Building Science> Curious how to Remediate Animal Infestation – 7 steps from the experts 7 Green Attic Insulation experts steps to eliminating animal infestation from your attic. Most homeowners discover a mice, squirrel, or raccoon issue by hearing noises in the attic, finding stains on the ceiling of the living space, or smelling a foul odor coming from the attic. Making a call to remedy the situation should include several estimates, opinions, and treatment ideas. We will provide a detailed list of items we recommend based on our experience. To ensure animal infestation is stopped, a sealed exterior building envelope is crucial. Common questions asked by homeowners during the estimating process for animal infestation are how much will it cost? does my homeowners insurance cover costs? should we have all the insulation removed first? is the existing insulation deemed unusable? will the insulation smell if we leave it in place after disinfection? do i need to leave my home during the remediation treatment portion? what is the difference between fiberglass insulation and cellulose insulation? does cellulose insulation get mineral treatment to prevent pests? 7 expert recommended treatments to remedy animal infestation in the attic include: 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 * step 7 removing feces / droppings with high powered vacuum while leaving the existing insulation in the attic disinfecting the entire attic to neutralize odors and kill bacteria ( similar to cleaning a rug from dog or cat urine ) providing 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 blowing in premium class 1 borate treated cellulose which is rodent resistant insulate air air seal hatch cover or pull down ladder 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 envelop is crucial to preventing intrusion. Fiberglass insulation as show here in a 90 plus year old home in Barrington Illinois. Green Attic treated for the remedy of attic animal infestation. Common animals native to Illinois such as deer, bobcats, turkeys, and more will not be found in attics, however mice, squirrels, and raccoons are quite common. Mice will leave small quarter sized holes / tunnels in the fiberglass insulation, small brown/ black droppings and urine. While squirrels and raccoons will leave much larger feces as well as food supply shells such as acorns and walnuts. Mice create quarter size holes/ tunnels in the fiberglass attic insulation Keeping in mind the variables such as size and the extent of the damage, we often find when homeowners receive multiple quotes for animal infestation cleanup, they vary dramatically in both cost and treatment plan line items, warranty, and performance for comfort and efficiency. We recommend a balanced itemized proposal with sq footage of treatment as the predominant factor in calculating cost. On average disinfection is between $1-2, removal of existing insulation between $1-2, air sealing attic floor, installing complete ventilation, and insulation to optimal R60 between $3-5 per sq ft. A critter / animal discovery from hearing noises on the overhead drywall may be a blessing in disguise ( an opportunity to address bigger issues such as heat escape, moisture, mold, or mildew. ) Poor ventilation in attics often goes unnoticed and untreated. Contact us today for a free estimate and begin the process of discovering our researched best approach methods for a healthy comfortable home in that ignored third of your structure, the no mans land where critters enjoy proximity to food, shelter and warmth. Eliminate icicles, reduce heating and cooling costs, ensure a complete moisture thermal and pressure barrier for your attic space. Call 847-777-4777 to schedule a free estimate.

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Improve Indoor Air Quality of Your Home while reducing draftiness due to exterior air intake