edge-city

You Got Rid of Rats Under Your House… But Will They Come Back?

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:27:27 GMT

You Got Rid of Rats Under Your House… But Will They Come Back?

So, you finally got rid of the rats under your house—congratulations! Maybe you set traps, hired a professional, or even went full DIY with some creative solutions. But now, a nagging question lingers: What if they come back?

I’ve been in the wildlife removal business for years, and let me tell you—this is one of the most common concerns homeowners have. You’d be surprised how many people think they’ve solved the problem, only to call me a few months later, frustrated that they’re hearing scratching noises again.

The truth is, rats are persistent little creatures. If your home was a cozy spot for them once, chances are, they’ll try to return. But don’t worry—there are effective ways to make sure they stay gone. Let’s break it down.

Why Do Rats Keep Coming Back?

1. They Follow Their Scent Trails

Even after you remove rats, their scent lingers. Rats communicate through pheromones, leaving behind invisible trails that tell others, 'Hey, this is a great place to live!' If you don’t properly clean and deodorize the areas they occupied, you’re basically leaving a welcome mat out for new rodents.

I once had a homeowner swear she had sealed every hole, only to find rats back in her crawl space within weeks. Turns out, she never cleaned out the nest materials, and the new rats just followed the scent back inside. A deep clean with enzyme-based cleaners can make a huge difference.

2. Easy Access to Food and Water

Think about what might still be attracting them:

✅ Pet food left outside?
✅ Unsecured trash bins?
✅ Bird feeders spilling seeds?
✅ Leaky outdoor faucets or AC drip lines?

Even the smallest crumbs or water droplets can sustain a rat. If you don’t cut off their food supply, they’ll keep trying to come back.

3. Entry Points Are Still Open

Rats are expert contortionists. They can squeeze through gaps as small as a quarter—yes, you read that right! If you didn’t fully seal up every possible entry point, they’ll find their

way back in.

One homeowner I worked with thought he had blocked all the holes under his deck with plywood. But guess what? The rats just chewed right through it. That’s why using rat-proof materials like Galvanized Flashing, mortar, proven wildlife removal products is so important. Sometimes the over the counter, Home Depot or Lowes products, just wont work.

How to Ensure Rats Don’t Return

1. Eliminate What Attracts Them

Rats don’t stick around for no reason. They need three things: food, water, and shelter. Take those away, and they’ll move on.

• Secure food sources: Store pet food in airtight containers and clean up outdoor eating areas.

• Fix leaks: Check for dripping pipes, clogged gutters, and AC condensation lines.

• Declutter your yard: Piles of wood, old furniture, and overgrown bushes make perfect hiding spots.

How Tiny Bats Squeeze Into Your Attic (You Won’t Believe These Gaps!)

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:38:45 GMT

Bats Entering Into Your Home!

Introduction

Picture this: You’re lying in bed, drifting off to sleep, when you hear a faint rustling above your head. Maybe it’s just the house settling—or maybe, it’s a bat squeezing through a gap you never even noticed.
Most homeowners don’t realize how easily bats can sneak into their attic. They don’t need a wide-open window or a broken door—just a gap as small as ⅜ of an inch (about the width of a pencil). If you’re like many suburban homeowners, your attic may already be offering these flying guests a cozy new home without you even realizing it.
In this guide, we’ll cover exactly how bats are getting inside, the surprising entry points they use, and what you can do to keep them out for good.

How Small of a Gap Can Bats Fit Through?

One of the most common misconceptions homeowners have is that bats need a large opening to get inside. In reality, their lightweight bodies and flexible bones allow them to squeeze through incredibly tight spaces.

A Bat’s Body is Built for Squeezing Through Small Openings

Unlike rodents, bats don’t chew their way into your attic. Instead, they flatten their bodies and wiggle through existing gaps. Think of them as the Houdinis of the animal world.
I once had a customer who swore up and down that their house was sealed up tight—no way anything could be getting in. After a careful inspection, I found the culprit: a ¼-inch gap along the ridge vent. Sure enough, bats had been slipping through it like pros. The look on their face when I showed them? Priceless.

Comparing Bat Entry Gaps to Everyday Objects

To put it in perspective, bats can fit through spaces as small as:
- A dime (for smaller bat species)
- The width of a pencil
- A credit card slot
If you can fit a pinky finger in a gap, chances are, a bat can fit through too!

The Most Overlooked Entry Points in Your Home

You might think your attic is secure, but bats are experts at finding weak spots. Here are the most common—and often surprising—ways they get in:

Gable Vents: The Bat Highway

Gable vents are one of the most common entry points for bats. These vents, designed to let hot air escape from your attic, often have:
- Thin or broken mesh screens
- Loose vent covers
- Small gaps between the frame and the siding
If you’ve noticed bats flying around your home at dusk, check your gable vents. Shine a flashlight on them at night—if you see little dark shapes clinging to the screen, you’ve likely got bats.

Signs That Bats Have Entered Your Attic

Think you might have bats in your attic? Here are some telltale signs:
1. Scratching or fluttering noises at night
2. Bat droppings (guano) near gable vents or in the attic
3. Dark stains around small gaps in the roof or siding
4. A strong ammonia-like smell (from bat urine)
5. Seeing bats fly in or out at dusk

How to Prevent Bats from Getting Inside

Now that you know where bats are getting in, let’s talk about keeping them out.

Sealing Entry Points Properly

To bat-proof your attic, focus on:
- Sealing roofline gaps with high-quality caulking or flashing
- Repairing soffits and fascia boards
- Fixing loose siding near attic vents
Pro Tip: Avoid using expanding foam—bats can chew through it or push past it. Instead, use metal mesh or caulk combined with backer rod for a more secure seal.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Tiny Gaps Become Big Problems

Bats might be small, but the damage they cause can be huge. By identifying and sealing up their favorite entry points, you can keep your attic bat-free without any unwanted surprises.
If you suspect bats are already inside, don’t wait—call a professional wildlife removal expert to handle the problem safely and effectively.
Want to check your home for bat entry points? Grab a flashlight tonight and take a look—you might be shocked at what you find!

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You Won’t Believe How Easily Squirrels Get Into Your Home!

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:07:24 GMT

Squirrels in Your Chattanooga Home!

Introduction

If you think your home is secure from wildlife, think again. Squirrels are surprisingly crafty when it comes to sneaking into houses, and they don’t need much space to do it. Many homeowners are shocked when they find out just how small of a gap a squirrel needs—about the size of a golf ball! And once they’re inside? Well, let’s just say your attic quickly turns into their personal playground.

I once had a client who swore up and down that their home was “squirrel-proof.” They kept their yard clean, trimmed their trees, and sealed up visible openings. But when they started hearing scratching noises in the attic, they gave me a call. Sure enough, I found a tiny gap where the soffit met the roofline—just big enough for a determined squirrel to wiggle through. Within a few weeks, a whole family had moved in!

So, how do squirrels get inside so easily, and what can you do about it? Let’s take a look at the most common ways they break in and how to keep them out for good.

How Squirrels Sneak Into Homes

1. Tiny Gaps and Cracks

Squirrels may seem like fluffy little acrobats, but they’re also master escape artists. They can squeeze through gaps as small as 1.5 inches wide. If you’ve got even the smallest opening in your siding, soffits, or eaves, you could be inviting unwanted furry guests inside.

Common Entry Points:

- Gaps between siding and roofline
- Unsealed joints in soffits
- Cracks around windows and vents
- Loose or missing bricks in chimneys

2. Roof Vulnerabilities: A Squirrel’s Highway to Your Attic

Ever seen a squirrel scale a brick wall or leap effortlessly from a tree branch to a roof? They’re incredible climbers, and your home’s roof is their expressway to entry.

Top Roof Entry Points:

- Soffits & Fascia Boards – Squirrels can gnaw through wood or push their way into small gaps.
- Chimneys – An uncapped chimney is basically an open door for squirrels.

- Roof Vents – Many standard vents have plastic covers that squirrels can easily chew through.
- Loose Shingles – A tiny gap under a lifted shingle can become a squirrel’s new doorway.

3. Squirrels Can Chew Through Almost Anything

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is underestimating a squirrel’s ability to chew. Their teeth grow continuously, meaning they need to gnaw constantly to keep them in check. Unfortunately, that means they’ll chew through just about anything to get inside your house.

What Can Squirrels Chew Through:

- Wood
- Plastic
- Vinyl siding
- Aluminum flashing
- Thin sheet metal
- Even some softer masonry materials

4. Unprotected Vents and Openings

Your home has several necessary openings for ventilation, but these can also be easy access points for squirrels if they aren’t properly secured.

Most Commonly Invaded Vents:

- Attic vents
- Gable vents
- Dryer vents
- Bathroom exhaust vents

What Happens Once Squirrels Get Inside?

1. Nesting and Reproduction

Female squirrels love attics because they’re warm, dry, and safe from predators. Once inside, they quickly build nests using insulation, leaves, and whatever else they can find. Before you know it, you could have an entire litter of baby squirrels in your home.

2. Property Damage

Squirrels don’t just stop at chewing their way inside—they keep gnawing. They can:

- Destroy insulation, reducing energy efficiency.
- Chew on electrical wires, creating a serious fire hazard.
- Damage wood beams, weakening your home’s structure.

3. Noise and Odors

If you’ve ever had squirrels in your attic, you know how loud they can be. The constant scratching, thumping, and scurrying can keep you up at night. And if one dies inside your walls? The smell is unbearable.

How to Keep Squirrels Out for Good

1. Seal All Entry Points

The best defense is a good offense. Inspect your home for gaps and seal them with:
- Heavy-duty steel mesh
- Metal flashing
- Silicone caulk (for small cracks)

2. Trim Trees and Remove Access Points

Keep tree branches at least 6-8 feet away from your roof. This makes it harder for squirrels to jump onto your home.

3. Use Squirrel-Proof Materials

If you’re replacing vents, fascia boards, or soffits, opt for chew-resistant materials like metal or reinforced PVC.

4. Install Chimney Caps and Vent Covers

A simple chimney cap can prevent squirrels from making a home inside your flue. Strong metal vent covers also keep them from squeezing through weak points.

5. Call a Professional Wildlife Removal Service

If you suspect squirrels are already inside, don’t wait. The longer they stay, the more damage they’ll cause. A professional wildlife removal expert can safely evict them and help squirrel-proof your home.

Final Thoughts

Squirrels are cute when they’re outside, but once they invade your home, they become a serious nuisance. They can chew through nearly anything, sneak through tiny gaps, and turn your attic into a nesting ground. The key to keeping them out is prevention—sealing up entry points, reinforcing weak areas, and staying vigilant.

If you’ve been hearing strange noises in your attic or have spotted squirrels near your roof, don’t wait until it’s too late. Give us a call, and we’ll make sure your home stays squirrel-free!