Have you noticed the presence of animals in your downspouts? You probably know how much pests enjoy making a home out of downspouts if you have one. Pets like squirrels and birds use leaves and twigs to create convenient bedding for themselves, while insects and roaches enjoy the wetness. Of course, the presence of these pets doesn’t bode well since they can cause different types of damage.

The best thing to do in these situations is to eliminate them quickly. However, the better thing to do is to prevent them from getting into your downspout.

Tips on How to Keep Pests Out of Your Downspouts

There’s so much to gain from avoiding the infestation of pests rather than waiting to deal with an existing infestation. After all, you will always incur more costs in eradicating pest infestations.

Follow the guides below to keep pests away from your downspouts effectively.

 

·       Inspect and remove debris regularly

You should always check your downspouts for the accumulation of debris, such as leaves and sticks. When too much of such debris finds its way into your downspouts, it can serve as a convenient home for rodents.

Also, the excess accumulation of this debris can clog your downspout system and cause water to remain stagnant. If the stagnant water remains for some time, it will attract insects and mosquitoes.

·       Use natural and safe repellants

Once you’ve removed every debris from your downspouts, you should get a natural and safe repellant. You should go for repellants that contain natural ingredients because they are always more effective for deterring pests.

·       Trim nearby trees

Some pests like birds, squirrels, and chipmunks use large trees around roofs to access downspout systems. Hence, you should trim the trees around your home if they are large. Ideally, the trees around your home shouldn’t have a height that exceeds eight-foot.

·       Constantly tidy up your environment

Maintaining a clean and tidy environment reduces the chances of pest infestations. Here are some things you can do to maintain a tidy environment:

• Ensure to cover garbage cans, and bins are properly.
• Take away overgrown or rotten foliage.
• Promptly dispose of compost piles from your home.
• Keep the vegetables in your garden fresh.

·       Install guards around your downspouts

Installing guards around your downspout can also help ward off insects and other bigger pests. The guards trap pests that attempt to slip into the downspout system, making it obvious to clean.

Another added advantage is that guards help prevent debris from clogging the downspouts because debris and pests will barely get in.

·       Install a gutter mesh cover

Just like gutter guards, a gutter screen helps to restrict the penetration of debris and pests. It also helps to prevent external elements from slipping inside the downspout.

·       Call the professionals

If you can’t handle any of the above things by yourself, you should consider calling a professional roofing contractor that handles downspouts. Professional roofing companies like shorelineroofing. Our team can inspect and provide solutions to the problems affecting your downspouts.

 

Pests That May Likely Infest Your downspouts?

Here are some of the pests that may likely infest your downspouts:

·       Rodents

Mice are one of the most common pest types because they always seek refuge. Though you may not e able to notice them easily, one can feel their presence most times.

Mice are most likely running about your attic and making scratching noises at night. They can always find their way into the tiniest of spaces. So if your downspout is exposed in any way, they can enter your house through the opening.

Squirrels are another type of rodent that can cause damage to your home if they get in.

·       Birds

Birds are capable of infiltrating your downspouts and creating nests in them. When they reside on your roof, they can easily stain the roof with their droppings.

·       Cockroaches

Cockroaches can survive for a long time without food, but they require a steady water supply to stay alive. This is why you may easily notice them in downspouts due to their moisture. Whenever you notice a cockroach, quickly get rid of it because it can contaminate your food.

·       Mosquitoes

When your downspouts are very open, dirt and debris can easily penetrate. If this debris accumulates over time, it can clog up the system and obstruct water flow from the downspout.

When this happens, the water stores up since it isn’t flowing. Eventually, the stagnant water attracts mosquitoes.

 

·       Bees and wasps

Bees and wasps frequently invade downspouts and gutters because they enjoy the humid atmosphere it offers. As a result, you will mostly see them in the summer.

If you notice these types of pests, it is recommended that you employ the services of a professional to get rid of them. This is because they often attack and get very aggressive when they want to protect their habitat.

 

Keep The Pests Away With The Help Of Shoreline Roofing Contractors

As a homeowner, you must constantly maintain and inspect your downspouts. While you can decide to do it yourself, hiring a professional roofing contractor like Shoreline Roofing is the best way to handle it.

Our company’s maintenance specialists can help you keep a pest-free downspout. Call Shoreline Roofing today for the best care for your gutter and downspouts.