Do I Hear Animal Noises in the Attic?

Inspecting an attic for pests in Knoxville TN - Russell's Pest Control

Are you hearing scratching, scampering, or loud thuds coming from your attic? Odd sounds from your ceiling and walls are the first signs that many use to identify their wildlife problems. While it can be plainly apparent that animals are living in your attic by the sounds, the kind of animals and the source of the infestation can be difficult to discern without professional help. The critter control team at Russell’s Pest Control has your back here! We have the tools and capabilities to safely remove all kinds of animals from homes around Knoxville TN. Read on to learn how to get rid of animals in the attic!

Finding Animals in the Attic

If you think the noises you’re hearing from above are being caused by animals, you’ll want to inspect your home for other signs of animal activity. Here are a few things to look for in your search for evidence of a wildlife infestation:

  • Torn-up or destroyed insulation
  • Bite marks on hard surfaces in your home or on items stored in your attic
  • Urine and feces in crawl spaces, behind appliances, or in cluttered corners
  • Branches, leaves, and torn paper around your roof and attic

What Animals Do I Have in my Attic?

Once you’re sure that you have animals inside your home, it’s important to figure out what they are in order to safely move forward with wildlife removal measures. These are the animals that we most commonly find in our customers’ attics around Knoxville TN, along with the signs that reveal them:

  1. Raccoons: Raccoons are the strongest wild animals that we deal with inside our homes. They can tear through walls and break off roofing to get inside. Raccoons are active at night, so if you’re hearing loud noises while you sleep, this could be your problem.
  2. Squirrels: Squirrels sneak into our homes through gaps in roofing fixtures, as opposed to the more destructive raccoons. They are active during the day, so if they’re in your attic, you’ll hear light scurrying noises. Squirrel noises are softer and happen at different times than raccoon noises.
  3. Rats and mice: Damaged insulation is a good sign of rats or mice nesting in your attic. You’ll also likely notice gnawing marks and droppings around your home—rodents have to access water daily, so they’ll move around your property often.
  4. Birds: These invaders make themselves well known with their chirping sounds. If you believe you’re hearing birds inside your home, act quickly to get rid of them, because their droppings can create multiple health risks.

Safest Way to Get Rid of Animals in the Attic

You can seal off your trash bins, keep your yard tidy, and routinely inspect your home for holes and gaps to keep wildlife out. However, if wild animals have already started nesting or breeding inside your home, the safest and most effective way to deal with them is to get your local critter control professionals involved. At Russell’s Pest Control, we equip our wildlife removal team with humane and effective pest control products and strategies to safely get rid of wildlife and restore your home’s peace. Contact us today for a free quote or to learn more!

Install Chimney Caps to Keep Birds Away

Birds on a chimney in Knoxville TN - Russell's Pest Control

There is a fine line between having a pleasant amount of birds around your home and having a bird problem. If you don’t monitor the number of birds living around your house, you can quickly expose yourself to a list of problems. Bird issues can range from nuisances like noise to serious health risks caused by chimney blockage and droppings. They can also cause property damage in a few different ways. If you’re looking for the best ways to keep birds out of your chimney and yard in Knoxville TN, read on for advice from the experts at Russell’s Pest Control!

How Birds Create Problems around Your Home

Birds can cause problems for Knoxville homeowners in a few different ways. If you have been noticing an increase in bird activity around your home, watch out for the following:

  • Droppings: Bird droppings can possibly contain a certain fungus that, when its spores are breathed in, causes histoplasmosis in humans. This disease can escalate to dangerous levels and cause symptoms like fever, aches, chills, and more.
  • Gutter blockage: Birds often find our gutter to be a convenient nesting location, but their nests can cause improper drainage, leaving our homes with water damage and waterlogging our gardens.
  • Chimney blockage: When birds nest inside your chimney, they can cause fumes from your fireplace to stay trapped inside. This can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and other health risks.

Preventing Birds in Chimney Stacks

When birds create their nests in your yard, they often look to your chimney to find warmth and shelter. As we’ve explained, this can cause property damage and health concerns for your home and your family. To keep birds out of your chimney, we recommend installing a chimney cap. A chimney cap covers your chimney with a grate-like cover, allowing fumes from your fireplace to exit safely while keeping debris, droppings, and bird nests out. This structure will discourage birds from nesting nearby and save your home from potential problems.

Bird Control with Russell’s Pest Control

In some cases, birds are too stubborn to be deterred by a chimney cap. If you’ve installed one and are still dealing with birds around your chimney, it’s best to get your local pest control company involved. The bird removal team at Russell’s Pest Control has years of experience handling all of the local birds in Knoxville TN and can develop a plan for your home that gets rid of birds both humanely and effectively. For a free quote or to learn more about our bird control services, reach out to us today!