Wildlife can be a fascinating part of nature, but when it comes to sharing your living space with creatures like squirrels, raccoons, bats, and rodents, the experience can quickly turn unpleasant. These critters can cause significant damage to your home, leave behind waste, and even pose health risks. The good news is that there is a solution to this problem: critter guard installation. By proactively installing critter guards, you can protect your home from unwanted wildlife invasions, saving yourself from expensive repairs and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of your living space.
What is Critter Guard Installation?
Critter guard installation refers to a set of protective barriers and devices designed to prevent animals from entering your home. These devices are typically installed around areas of your property where animals are most likely to gain access, such as vents, chimneys, rooflines, crawlspaces, and attics. Critter guards are made from durable materials that are difficult for animals to chew through, climb, or squeeze through. They can be custom-fitted to suit your home’s specific needs, ensuring maximum protection from a variety of wildlife.
Why Is Critter Guard Installation Important?
- Preventing Damage to Your Home
Wildlife is notorious for chewing on wires, insulation, roofing materials, and even wooden structures. Rodents like squirrels and rats will often chew on electrical wires, which can lead to short circuits or even fires. In addition to the risk of fire, animals can gnaw on pipes, causing leaks and water damage. Installing critter guards can prevent these kinds of costly issues by keeping animals from entering and causing damage in the first place. - Health and Hygiene Concerns
Animals such as raccoons, bats, and birds can carry a range of diseases and parasites that can pose a risk to humans. For instance, bats are known to carry histoplasmosis, a disease that can affect the lungs, while raccoons can transmit rabies. Droppings and urine from wildlife can also create health hazards by contaminating your home’s air quality. Critter guards help to keep these animals and their waste out of your living spaces, reducing the risk of health problems. - Peace of Mind
Knowing that your home is secure from wildlife gives you peace of mind. No more worrying about nocturnal noises in the attic or the potential for animals to damage your property. With critter guard installation, you can rest easy, knowing your home is protected from invaders. - Energy Efficiency
Critters, especially rodents, can cause damage to insulation in your attic and walls. This can compromise the energy efficiency of your home, leading to higher utility bills. By preventing animals from entering and nesting in these spaces, critter guards help maintain your home’s energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs.
Common Areas for Critter Guard Installation
- Vents and Exhaust Fans
Animals like raccoons and squirrels often gain entry through exhaust vents or dryer vents. These openings provide easy access to attics and crawl spaces, where animals can create nests. Installing vent covers or critter guards over these openings ensures animals can’t squeeze through while still allowing for proper ventilation. - Roofline and Eaves
The roofline of your home is another common entry point for wildlife. Squirrels, for instance, are excellent climbers and can easily access your roof to find entry points into your attic. A critter guard can be installed along the roofline to block these access points, keeping your attic safe from unwelcome guests. - Chimneys
Chimneys are a prime target for animals looking for a warm, safe space to nest. Birds, squirrels, raccoons, and bats are often found taking refuge in chimneys, which can result in dangerous blockages or even fires. Installing a chimney cap with a critter guard is an effective way to prevent animals from entering. - Crawl Spaces and Foundation
The foundation of your home, including vents and gaps around the crawl space, provides ample opportunities for animals to sneak inside. By installing wire mesh or solid barriers around these areas, critter guards can prevent animals from gaining entry and nesting in hard-to-reach areas. - Attic and Gable Vents
Attics are a popular place for animals to seek shelter. They are warm, quiet, and often overlooked by homeowners. Gable and attic vents are common entry points, but with proper critter guard installation, these spaces can be sealed off from wildlife while still allowing for ventilation.
Types of Critter Guards
- Mesh Barriers
Mesh barriers are a flexible and versatile option for critter guard installation. They come in different materials, such as stainless steel, galvanized steel, or copper, and are available in various gauges. The mesh can be used to cover vents, chimneys, and other openings. It’s durable and can withstand chewing or clawing by most animals. - Solid Steel Covers
For larger openings or areas that need extra protection, solid steel covers are ideal. These covers can be custom-built to fit vents, exhaust fans, or even roof valleys. They are heavy-duty and nearly impossible for animals to penetrate. - One-Way Animal Doors
One-way animal doors are a humane solution for critter guard installation. These devices allow animals to exit your home but prevent them from re-entering. They are perfect for situations where you suspect an animal is already inside and needs to be safely removed. - Chimney Caps
Chimney caps with built-in critter guards are designed to fit securely over the top of your chimney. These caps not only prevent animals from entering but also keep debris like leaves and twigs from blocking the flue, ensuring safe ventilation.
Professional Installation vs. DIY
While it’s possible to install some critter guards yourself, hiring a professional is often the best choice. A wildlife expert can assess your home’s unique needs and ensure that all potential entry points are properly sealed. Additionally, professionals can safely handle any animals that may already be inside your home and ensure they are removed without harm.
Conclusion
Critter guard installation is an effective and essential step in protecting your home from wildlife invasions. By installing critter guards on key entry points like vents, chimneys, and the roofline, you can prevent damage, maintain a clean and healthy living environment, and reduce the risk of costly repairs. Not only does this safeguard your home from critters, but it also helps to improve energy efficiency, prevent health hazards, and bring you peace of mind.
As you invest in protecting your home from wildlife, consider integrating sustainable energy solutions, like solar power. Companies like Bell Mountain Solar offer great options for homeowners looking to take control of their energy usage while contributing to a greener environment. Whether you’re securing your home or embracing renewable energy, both are investments that benefit your property and the planet.
