How To Repair Different Types Of Wildlife Damage And Entry Holes



Having a wild animal in your home can cause multiple issues. You will hear noises from the animal scratching or running around. They may also chew on wood, insulation or other items, or create entry points in the walls, roof, or attic. All animals will also leave some waste behind, whether it is leftover food items or their excrement. Between all these things, you will have to take care of wildlife entry holes and damage after you successfully remove the animal from your house in the first place.

Hire A Wildlife Expert
If you aren't very handy or simply don't have too much time to spend making repairs, you can take the easy route and hire a wildlife expert to repair the damage and entry points. This is a great option since their experience will help them find all the entry points, including those you may have missed yourself. Remember that accidentally leaving just one entry hole open is enough to encourage new animals to make your house into their home. The wildlife expert will also know the type of damage to expect and be familiar with safety equipment necessary when making repairs.

Repairing Holes In The Attic And Roof
Most of the animals that enter your roof or attic will be small, including squirrels and bats. This means that you will probably have to repair fairly small holes. If, however, you had raccoons or other larger animals taking up residence, you will need more intense building materials. In the case of broken vents, most experts suggest that you only start by replacing the vent. After this, add some wire mesh to the vent. The mesh will let air flow in and out without an issue but prevent future animals from coming in. Use the appropriate supplies to repair various holes depending on how large they are. If you aren't sure of the proper steps, then consult an expert or even the staff at your local hardware store. Take care when repairing holes in the roof and attic since serious damage to these areas can lead to issues with your home, such as leaks during the rain or a weak roof that collapses under the weight of snow or leaves.

Repairing Damage To The Chimney
In the case of animals who took up residence in your chimney, you may have to make several repairs. Be sure to thoroughly clean out the chimney before you use the fireplace to prevent a fire. Take a look at the chimney cap; there is most likely damage to this piece that allowed the animals to get inside in the first place. The most effective way of fixing this is to just replace the chimney cap. Many professionals suggest stainless steel for durability and toughness, but you can consult your chimney expert. The chimney cap has to be installed properly and be covered with the flashing; otherwise animals can enter the gaps.

Repairing Holes In The Basement And Walls
As with holes in the attic and roof, you need to make sure that the holes you repair in the basement and walls of your home can resist a future attack by animals. Small holes will probably be fixable with a little bit of filler. Larger ones may require you to replace bricks or other items. If the damage appears to be serious, hire a professional since the walls are key for supporting your home. Remember to repair entry points on the interior as well as the exterior.

Repairing Wall Damage
Holes in the walls aren't the only issues that animals will cause. Some wildlife will create smaller holes in your plasterboard that you can repair with a metal backed patch. They may also cause significant scratching to the wall. If the damage is just superficial, you can paint over it. If you have any doubts as to whether scratches or other damage affects the structural integrity of the wall or could be broken in the future to create an entry point, replace it or consult an expert. For larger damage, patch the wall, apply drywall, sand it, then paint the area.

Inspect Everything
Don't accept that you have repaired all the areas damaged by the wildlife until you have completed a thorough inspection. If there were bats in your attic, for example, turn on the light after you have cleaned and repaired the area. Now you can examine the entire space carefully to make sure no insulation, wires, wood, or other items are damaged. You should follow similar steps in any area where the animals were. It is a good idea to consider hiring a professional with experience handling wildlife-related repairs. Their experience will help them ensure that they don't miss any spots, particularly since they know the most common areas to be affected by each type of animal. How To Repair Different Types Of Wildlife Damage And Entry Holes
Having a wild animal in your home can cause multiple issues. You will hear noises from the animal scratching or running around. They may also chew on wood, insulation or other items, or create entry points in the walls, roof, or attic. All animals will also leave some waste behind, whether it is leftover food items or their excrement. Between all these things, you will have to take care of wildlife entry holes and damage after you successfully remove the animal from your house in the first place.

Hire A Wildlife Expert
If you aren't very handy or simply don't have too much time to spend making repairs, you can take the easy route and hire a wildlife expert to repair the damage and entry points. This is a great option since their experience will help them find all the entry points, including those you may have missed yourself. Remember that accidentally leaving just one entry hole open is enough to encourage new animals to make your house into their home. The wildlife expert will also know the type of damage to expect and be familiar with safety equipment necessary when making repairs.



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