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We are Oxnard Wildlife, and we solve conflicts between people and wild animals. From squirrels in your attic, to raccoons in your trash, to bats, rats, birds, and snakes, we do it all. We specialize in safe and effective solutions to California critter problems. We service the greater Oxnard region, and we offer fast service - we can usually schedule a same-day appointment. Give us a call at 805-621-7343 any time, 24/7, and we will discuss your unique wild animal problem, and give you a free price quote over the phone. We're ready to take your call now!

Our service range: We service Santa Barbara County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, and more. We also service Camarillo, Ojai, Santa Paula, Ventura, Fillmore, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks, Bell Canyon, Lake Sherwood, Oak View, Saticoy, Casa Conejo, Meiners Oaks, Piru, Channel Islands Beach, Mira Monte, Santa Rosa Valley, El Rio, Oak Park, Santa Susana, and more.

Oxnard Wildlife Education: What Kind Of Damage Do Rodents Cause In An Attic?

You probably know that rodents can cause damage to your attic, but that doesn’t mean you completely understand what they will do. The best way to prevent damage is to get the rodents out of your home as soon as possible, but if you have only just discovered their presence, you will want to do a thorough check. Knowing the most common types of damage done by rodents in attics will give you a good idea of where to look. It can also prepare you for the type of work you may need done if you are just starting to deal with a rodent problem.



Chewing Wires
The most dangerous type of damage rodents will cause in an attic is chewing on wires. Rats and other rodents have teeth that constantly grow. Because of this, they need to gnaw or chew on objects. They will chew on most materials they find and electrical wires just happen to be a good consistency for their needs. Chewed wires are much more dangerous than chewed insulation or other items because of the risk they pose to your entire house. If you don’t know a wire is chewed and still run electricity through it, there is a serious fire hazard. Depending on the extent of the damage, a fire is only a matter of time. This is especially true if the rodents have chewed through to the copper area of the wire and this portion comes in contact with your wooden beams.

Chewing Other Items
Although chewing on wires is the most dangerous damage rodents will do to your attic, they will also chew on other items. Some rodents enjoy chewing on insulation while others will chew on wooden beams. If you store items in your attic, such as paper, they will probably chew on these things as well. If there is furniture in your attic, make sure to check the inside of it. Mice and some other rodents love tunneling inside upholstered furniture since it gives them a snug nest. Certain types of rats and other rodents will also chew on your roof eaves. This can lead to some leaking on rainy days and the resulting water damage to your attic.

Matting Insulation
Even if the rodents in your attic don’t cause damage to the insulation by chewing on it, they can cause an issue in another way. They may remove insulation in certain areas to help them create nests. In other cases, they will simply scamper over your insulation repeatedly, which pushes it down. As the insulation becomes matted, it gets less effective and increases your electricity bills.

Leaving Waste
Rodents aren’t like humans when it comes to doing their business. They will simply go wherever is convenient, leaving a disgusting and dirty trail or droppings or urine behind. Rats in particular have a high metabolism, which means you will find a large number of droppings. Rodent feces are typically the least of your worries since they won’t damage your attic; they are just smelly and unattractive with the potential for carrying disease. Depending on the number of rodents in the attic, their urine can actually cause a serious issue. Larger groups of rodents or those who have been there for a long time can produce enough urine to soak through floor boards in the attic and weaken them. To make matters worse, rodent urine contains pheromones that attract new rodents, increasing your infestation.

Rubbing Grease
Depending on the type of rodent in your attic, they may also leave behind greasy areas. This is particularly true of rats since they have brown grease on their fur. When they travel over a path repeatedly, the grease will slowly rub off onto the floor, leaving a gross stain. It also leaves the same pheromones that can attract other animals.

Spreading Disease
Although disease isn’t necessarily damage done to your attic, it is something worth mentioning. All rodents have the potential to carry disease of some sort. While something such as rabies is unlikely, other issues, like leptospirosis, are more common. Many of the rodent-related diseases are spread via their urine or feces, which is why it is crucial to be careful when up the mess these animals leave. If you aren’t aware of the rodents in your attic, you may still be at risk of disease if bacteria or related particles in their waste are carried through the ventilation into your home.

What To Do
Since rodents can cause truly extensive damage to your attic, you will need to thoroughly evaluate the space. Ideally, you should have an expert do so, specifically one with experience determining the damage caused by rodents. Sometimes, the same company will be able to evaluate damage to your attic and clean the space so you don’t have to worry about disposing of rodent waste products or investing in safety gear.

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How to keep wild Oxnard animals out of my garbage cans.