The things rodents ruin.
Teeth that never stop growing need something to gnaw, and a house offers plenty. Insulation is shredded for nests. Duct wrap is torn and the duct itself can be punctured. Screens over vents are chewed through, and drywall, trim and subfloor are gnawed at the edges of openings.
Damage is not only cosmetic. A torn duct leaks conditioned air, matted insulation loses much of its insulating value and a chewed vent screen is a new doorway.
Repair or replace.
| Item. | Typical damage. | Usual fix. |
|---|---|---|
| Attic or wall insulation. | Tunnels, matting, stained patches. | Remove soiled sections, install new material. |
| Duct wrap and flex duct. | Tears, bite holes. | Replace wrap, patch or replace the duct section. |
| Vent and soffit screens. | Chewed corners, gaps at frames. | Replace with metal screen in a secured frame. |
| Drywall edges. | Gnawed openings. | Patch, texture and paint. |
| Door sweeps and thresholds. | Frayed rubber, chewed wood. | Install a metal-backed sweep or rebuild the sill. |
Wiring is a special case.
Rodents chew on wire sheathing, and a stripped conductor can arc or overheat. We do not repair wiring, and we avoid touching any wire that looks damaged. If a breaker has tripped without explanation or you smell burning, shut off the circuit if it is safe, and call an electrician.
Our part is to note where we saw chewed wire and share photos, so the electrician can go straight to the spot.
Timing of repairs.
- Trapping first, so the animals are gone.
- Sealing second, so they cannot return.
- Cleanout third, so soiled material is removed.
- Repair last, so new material goes into a clean, closed space.
Rushing the order costs money. New insulation laid over an active nest is ruined in weeks, and a patched wall can be chewed again by an animal that is still inside.
What to photograph.
Before you call, take wide shots of each affected room and close-ups of damage with a coin for scale. Photograph attic insulation, duct wrap and any wire you can see without touching. Good pictures speed up the walk-through, and they help if you file an insurance claim.
Does your attic or cellar match this picture? Give dispatch the details and ask what such signs usually point to.
(551) 274-5838Older and newer houses alike.
Newer houses need repairs as often as older ones, because a gap is a gap in any decade. What differs is the material. Older homes may have blown insulation, plaster or fabric-wrapped wire, and the technician flags anything that needs a specialist. Related stages are trap setting and sealing with steel and mesh.
Dampen first, then clean
Rodent waste may carry disease, which is why cleanup has to be damp and unhurried. The agencies listed at the foot of this page back up each line below.
- Never clean rodent waste dry. Brooms, dust mops and vacuum cleaners all throw invisible particles into the room.
- Let outdoor air flow through the space for a half hour, then come back with gloves and spray.
- Bare skin should never meet rodent waste, even for a moment.
- Soak the pellets and the ground around them, then leave the liquid alone for five minutes or so.
- Used towels, droppings and any dead rodent all go into one plastic bag, which you knot and put out with the weekly trash.
- If you feel ill after handling droppings, tell your physician what you were cleaning.
Public references used here
Direct links to the agency pages follow.
- EPA: rodenticide product restrictions page: Why some rodenticides are restricted to certified purchasers.
- Hantavirus prevention, per the CDC: Why holes must be closed before anyone handles old waste or nests.