Tis' the season for squirrels and birds

Christmas is over and the New Year has come and past.  First snow storm of 2017...all can be checked off the list.  Now what?  Well a little known fact is that this time of year firefighters are more busy putting out house fires, not caused by christmas trees or lights as you may imagine, but squirrels and birds that get into the home through your roof.
Amazingly, Squirrels are to blame for about 30,000 house fires each year, causing millions of dollars in damage and has even caused power outages in cities! With summer soon ending and the cooler weather approaching, now is the time to safeguard your family and your house.

The grey squirrel is notorious for their destructive chewing behavior and is found in most back yards around the country and is known to invade houses. With their large gnawing incisors they easily can chew large holes through wood, and anything insight is considered a chewing toy to them, including electrical wires!

Diameter of entry hole: 2 ½ inches or larger.
Likely entry points: Where dormers meet roofs or where roof shingles overhang fascia boards. (The second-story men of household pests, squirrels can jump 10 to 12 feet through the air.)
Signs of infestation: Scampering noises in ceilings or attic; insulation missing from spots near eaves; ½- to 1-inch-long droppings; piles of nuts.

Best spots for traps: Live traps, clamped in place near the spot on the roof where they're getting in. Bait them with peanut butter, dried corn-on-the-cob, or suet.
Preventive measures: Prune trees away from house; keep roof and exterior trim in pristine repair; remove bird feeders.
Stopgap measures: Nail hardware cloth over potential entry points until they can be repaired.
Job for a pro?: You bet. Squirrels can carry rabies. Plus, it's tricky climbing ladders with traps, clamps, and jar of Jif.

  
Birds in the attic is a very common problem that we see all thru the united States, with bird habitat getting more scarce everyday, birds are starting g to find alternative nesting sites which is usually in a bathroom vent or in a home’s attic space. This is a great place for a bird to nest, Its quiet, it’s usually inaccessible and it high up away from predators. All these things add up to a really good place for a bird to lay its eggs and have its babies. This is a problem that you should seek help to solve as soon as possible, simply because as time goes by the problem only gets worse. Lots of times people will inquire about birds.

Do Your Research     Before you make any rash decisions, do some research and read up on local protection laws. Many species of birds are not to be harmed so be sure you don’t do anything illegal. Also, research what birds are in your area and find out what kind is nesting or causing a nuisance. From there, you can start planning which method of removal is best for you.
Best Methods For Preventing Birds From Coming Back   So let’s say you finally get the birds to leave. How do you stop them from coming back? This step is just as important as getting rid of them. So take some time to determine a plan of action. In order to get rid of birds on your roof as well as prevent them from returning, here are some of the most effective methods to try:

• Netting – Block off the birds completely from any roof with netting. But be careful when hanging it!
• Perch-Repellant Gel – This special gel feels sticky and tacky to birds and is usually applied to ledges so birds feel uncomfortable and fly away.
• Anti-Roosting Strips/Bird Spikes – These strips are often put on ledges of commercial buildings. They contain small metal pins that deter birds from landing on your roof.
• Bird Repellent Spray – To keep birds away from your roof for good, your best bet is to apply a non-toxic bird repellent spray that is mild enough to use around people..

To be safe make sure to take advantage of the roofing specialist in the Washington DC area, Boyd Construction Co Inc's January special of a free roof evaluation.  Keep your home safe from any unexpected visitors of the furry and feathered kind.  Contact us online, or call today to schedule your free estimate and evaluation. 202-223-ROOF.