There’s a lot to consider when running a house from cleaning to decorating but one thing you may not have considered is the impact that the local wildlife can have on your home. Depending on where you live, everything from raccoons to bats have the potential to find their way into your home through the roof. They could damage your shingles in their attempt to get in, and once inside they can cause damage by chewing on wires and wood and their droppings can make mold grow which can impact the health of your family. That’s why it’s important to know how to protect a roof from animals.

One way to help prevent damage is to regularly inspect your roof. Every few months and after a big storm, you should get up on a ladder safely and make sure there’s no obvious ways for an animal to get in that will need repaired quickly. While you’re up there you can also look for signs that animals have been there like droppings or chewed roof materials. This would show wildlife is trying to get in and you should take other precautions.

Another way to stop animals, particularly rodents, finding their way inside is to get gutter guards installed. There are a few different types depending on your roof and they are made of solid metal that can’t be chewed through. They also stop your gutters getting clogged with debris, so they solve other potential sources of roof damage too. A wildlife roof protection service will help you find the right guards for you and ensure they’re installed properly. For added peace of mind, connect with local roofers who can provide expertise suited to your area, but before hiring, make sure to ask your potential roofer important questions to ensure they’re the right fit for the job.

Ensuring you have good ventilation in your attic will stop some of the appeal for animals to get into your house as it won’t be a warm humid space. You will have to make sure that you invest in a good quality vent cover though as an uncovered vent would be an easy way for animals of many sizes to come through if they want to.

The final tip doesn’t actually involve the roof. Preventing some of the ways for wildlife to get onto the roof in the first place can help. We don’t recommend having vines on your house as these can be used to climb up. Bushes and trees near your home should be trimmed down too if you have permission. Making sure they’re a few feet away from the roof will stop animals balancing on the branches to jump across to your roof.

How to Prevent Bird Nesting Damage

Birds are beautiful and an important part of our ecosystem but when it comes to roof animal damage, they’re one of the worst offenders. If you’ve ever had a bird’s nest in your eaves, you’ll know firsthand the damage they can do as they grow. Not to mention their droppings are acidic so too many birds around your home can quickly cause damage to your roof materials. If you had a nest last year, removing the old one can stop them coming back this year. Keeping your gutters clear of materials they could use to make a nest such as twigs makes your roof less desirable. Birds will only typically make their nests somewhere with a good food supply so if you see birds starting to gather around your home, quickly figuring out what they’re eating and removing it can prevent them setting up home. Ideas of food sources are compost heaps and pet food. Placing a decoy bird on your roof can also scare of some birds but if they’re curious they’re likely to discover it’s fake. For further assistance with keeping your roof protected from bird-related damage, contact Four Leaf Roofing & Windows for guidance.

How Deterrents can Prevent Wildlife Roof Damage

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. If you can make it clear that wildlife isn’t welcome on your property, then they won’t be there to cause damage to your roof. Most animals are attracted by food so making sure your trash cans and compost heaps are secure is a good deterrent. You could also consider fences so animals can’t just come straight onto your property from wild spaces. Other deterrents you can consider are ultrasonic devices. You won’t be able to hear these, so they won’t bother you, but they emit high frequency sounds that animals pick up and avoid. Taking these steps can help prevent wildlife roof issues without causing harm to the animals so it’s a win-win. 

Four Leaf Roofing & Windows proudly serves numerous cities across Wisconsin, making it a convenient choice for roof repair in Mequon or roofing contractors in Brookfield. We also extend our services to villages, so if you’re searching for local roofing contractors in Fox Point , don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you require general roof repairs or need help protecting your roof from wildlife damage, our teams are equipped to deliver expert solutions to your needs. 

Protecting your roof from wildlife damage is all about proactive measures and the right support. With the help of deterrents and professional services, you can keep your home safe and secure while maintaining harmony with nature.