Having a pest in the roof of your commercial property can be both an annoyance, a health hazard, and lead to potential structural damage. Pests cannot simply be killed and in order to prevent them from causing issues once removed, a commercial roofing contractor will be able to plug up holes and implement various prevention methods that have been recommended by the pest removal and control experts.
There are different types of pests that choose to nest and live in roofs. The most common pests include mice, rats, birds, bats, and insects. A professional will be able to guide you on the correct way to handle the roost.
How Do Pests Get Into Your Roof?
No matter how secure you think your building is, there are countless ways for pests to find their way into your roof. Here are some of the most common ways that the likes of rats and birds find their way into the roof:
- Pests are opportunists and will take advantage of a warm environment, trails of food, and water. They will use various weak spots in your building to gain entry.
- Insects enter through cracks along the exterior foundation.
- Exhaust vents and utility openings, missing or torn screens in windows, and loading dock doors provide vulnerable openings for birds and pests to enter the building.
- Another structural weak spot that allows access for pests is through holes in the roof where roofing materials, such as vents and air conditioners, have not been installed correctly. Quality roof installation will ensure that these holes do not occur.
How To Identify The Presence of Pests
Apart from the obvious signs of noises in the roof, there are other ways to identify pests.
- Droppings. Pest droppings are a clear sign of infestation. The droppings will also indicate what pests are in the roof.
- Nesting. When pests settle down to live in an area, they will use whatever materials available to shred and make a nest.
- Grease Marks and Tracks. If there is a rodent infestation, there will most likely be grease marks left behind as the rodents travel along their used paths.
- Structural Damages. Physical damage, such as holes and gnaw marks, are clear signs of an infestation. This will most likely be due to the chewing and gnawing of rats or mice.
- Increase in the Number of Insects. If you notice an increase in the number of insects in the building, it is a sign that there may be a bird infestation.
- Bad Smell. A distasteful odor that cannot be blamed on garbage or rotting materials could be due to a rat, mice or bird infestation.
Preventing Pests in Your Commercial Roof
If there are signs of an infestation, it is vital to call a professional pest removal company immediately in order to prevent any further damage or health hazards.
Once the pests have been removed, there are several ways to prevent the problem from occurring again. A professional commercial roofing company will be able to conduct a thorough investigation and tend to any weak spots in your roof that could invite pests to roost again.
Any exterior cracks, crevices or entrances for wiring need to be sealed up properly as to avoid any insects or mice from entering. Paying attention to your refuse is another way to prevent a pest infestation. Roofs are a common entrance for pests and these need to be sealed and inspected regularly to ensure that there is no entrance for pests.
If you have any suspicions that your building has any pest infestations – from rats, to birds or insects – call a professional for a thorough inspection. A roofing contractor will be able to ensure that your roof is maintained to prevent the entry of pests, resulting in a safe and hygienic building.
