Wild animals can be very clever, often times leaving many people to wonder how animals made their way inside homes. The simple truth is that as long as there is an access point that creates a path to the inside of a building, animals will find it. One of these access points is the buildings ventilation system. Many buildings have vents that allow for the circulation of air in the attic or to facilitate the use of appliances such as furnaces and dryers. Milwaukee animal control teams frequently respond to cases of animal invasion that originate in the vents.

Before – Raccoons have completely filled this sofit with debris.

How Wildlife Will Use Your Vents

Once animals get into your home’s vents, they use the ducts as tunnels to access varying sections of the home. Once they have gotten inside your vents, the animals will chew through the ductwork to get into your home and then you’ll have an even bigger infestation problem on your hands. They also damage the ducts as they sometimes establish their nests inside them. The usual offenders for this type of home invasion are squirrels, mice, birds, and rats.

Signs of Animal Presence in Your Home’s Vents

Foul odors often accompany infested vents. When vents are used as homes or access routes for wildlife to get into your home, the waste deposited there by the animal produces a bad smell that gets distributed throughout the home by the vents. The smell is even more offensive if an animal dies inside the vent.

If you see animal droppings or bits of nesting material around the outer end of your vent, there is likely more animal action taking place inside the vent and inside your home as well. When dryer vents are clogged, your clothes will take longer than usual to dry. Additionally, the clothes and the dryer may feel hotter than normal. This is because the dryer has to work harder to get the clothes dry. You may also smell a burning odor as the hot air in the vent singes the debris brought in by animals.

After – Skedaddle has completed cleaned, disinfected and repaired the sofit and area.

Protecting Your Vents

Every vent on a home should have professionally installed animal barriers. The typical cover that builders and roofers use are not wildlife proof. Squirrels for example, often chew their way through the plastic coverings that are used to cap many Milwaukee home vents. Property owners,  therefore need to get professional Milwaukee animal control experts to reinforce or replace the barriers before animals enter the space. This will prevent not just the discomfort of living with unwanted wildlife guests but also the expense of replacing and repairing damaged vent systems and building parts.

Your animal control needs in Milwaukee will be met and exceeded by Skedaddle’s expert exclusion services. At Skedaddle, we can make your vents inaccessible to wildlife by installing a mesh covering that prevents them from entering while allowing the vent to continue serving its purpose. Skedaddle’s mesh screen is your best choice because it won’t stain your siding by rusting and will provide a lifetime of protection from animal entry while facilitating the proper functioning of your vents.