Raccoons Invading Attics

Raccoons Invading Attics

If you are hearing scratching in your attic at night there is a good chance that you could have a raccoon (raccoons).  If you search your attic in the daytime you will probably not find the raccoon.  Raccoons are nocturnal creatures found throughout the US but are more common in wooded areas.

raccoon

Raccoons do not hibernate but they do become inactive in the winter months by seeking shelter…hence why they are in your attic.  Raccoons can cause damage to structures as they enter your attic or chimney.  They can cause a huge mess by raiding garbage cans in search of food and will even destroy gardens by running through and/or eating crops.  In addition to the property damage that they cause, they also carry rabies.

Raccoon Prevention:

To prevent raccoons from entering your home make sure that all possible entrances around the attic and roofline are sealed.  Repair broken vent covers, loose siding or shingles, and install mesh covers or caps over chimneys to prevent raccoons from entering.  Make sure that all outside trash is in an animal proof, tightly sealed garbage can.

If you believe that you may have raccoons in your attic, call Northwest Exterminating for raccoon removal.

How to Save Money on Your Energy Bills

We’re all looking for ways to save money.  We’re cutting back on unnecessary items, thinking twice before we spend our money, and looking for ways to save on necessities.  One way to save is to install TAP Insulation in your attic.

Attic Before TAP

Tap Insulation saves in two ways: saving on your energy bills and energy savings (along with many other benefits).  When your attic has the right r-value, resistance to heat, then your HVAC system runs more efficiently.  Less work for your HVAC means less money each month on the bill.  Our highly trained professional will evaluate your current r-value and bring your insulation to the Department of Energy recommended r-value of 49, with a minimum of 30.

Attic After TAP

It’s typical to see a 20-38% savings on your energy bills after you’ve had TAP Insulation installed.  This will benefit your home in both the cold winter months and the warm summer months because it keeps your home at a consistent temperature throughout the season which gives your HVAC system a break.  Lastly, TAP Insulation is a GREEN solution for your home.  It’s another great way to save green while going green!

Other benefits of TAP Insulation:

  • Insulation made of recycled newsprint.
  • Permanent Pest Protection in your attic.
  • Fire Safety

Squirrels in Your Attic?

Do you have trees near your home?  If so, then you have a threat of squirrels getting into your attic. They may look cute with their furry little bodies but don’t let them fool you, they can cause some major damage.  When they live in your home they damage insulation, electrical cables (potential fire hazard) and can be unsanitary by leaving urine and droppings throughout your attic.

One of the first clues that people experience is the sound of scratching, clawing, gnawing, or scurrying noises.  If you think that you may have squirrels in your attic, call a professionalSquirrel removal is not recommended for amateurs.

Things that you can do to prevent squirrels from getting into your attic:

  • Block off all potential entrances along your roofline.
  • Caulk any openings or crevices.
  • To keep squirrels from using utility wires as a way to your attic, slit a 2-foot section of 2-inch PVC pipe lengthwise and slip it over the wire. This makes squirrels unable to maintain their footing when the pipe rotates.
  • Look for signs of chewed wood near your roof.  This is a sign that something is in or has attempted to get into your attic.
  • Cut back tree limbs that are close to your structure.
  • Call a wildlife removal professional.  They will be able to remove the animal humanely.

Chewed electrical wire

 

All of these things can help but squirrels are excellent climbers and will sometimes find alternate ways to get into your home to feed and give birth.  The best solution is to call Northwest Exterminating to remove the squirrels in your attic.

Energy Savings from the Bottom Up

If your home is anything like mine you have a high electric bill in the summer and a high gas bill in the winter.  When one goes down, the other one goes up.  Luckily, Northwest Exterminating offers services that can relieve some of those painful energy bills from the bottom of your house up.

Northwest’s Complete CrawlSpace system will not only soften those energy bills but it will improve the overall health of your home.  Crawl spaces are often filled with moisture.  Moisture leads to high levels of humidity which cause mold growth, pests, and energy loss.  Energy loss may sound like a good thing but it actually causes your system to work harder leading to higher energy bills.  Closing in your crawl space can control the amount of moisture, correcting the issues listed above and preventing them from happening in the future.  This would give you a healthier, more energy efficient living environment that could save you up to 18% on utility bills.

Another way to save on energy bills is to properly insulate your atticTAP attic insulation can reduce both your heating and cooling bills.  When you have the recommended r-value (insulation’s resistance to heat flow) your insulation works more efficiently, meaning your heating and air isn’t working overtime to compensate.  TAP attic insulation can save you up to 30% or more on your utility bills.  Other benefits include:

Northwest can provide you with energy savings from the ground…up!  Call now or complete a Free Inspection Form.

Calling All Realtors!

Did you know that Northwest Exterminating offers Continuing Education classes for Georgia Realtors?  We offer 7 classes that earn agents 3 credit hours.  Not only do we offer the CE classes but we come to you!!  Our Realtor Team can come to your office or a location of your choice.

Construction and Termites – This course is a visually detailed view of the construction process, as it relates to termites, and the various termite treatment methods used in new construction. A discussion of clearance letters and Form II’s is also included.

Builder One – If you are selling new construction homes, this class is a must! This is an in-depth course for builders and agents discussing the real termite problem, comparing construction foundations and explaining the termite treatments for each. An explanation of termite warranties is also provided.

Wildlife – What is in your attic? – Critters causing commotion? This course encompasses an extensive study of the problems and the preventative solutions available to homeowners concerning a wide variety of pests including rodents, snakes and bats.

Pest Damage Identification and Control Methods – GAR Approved.  Bugs, bugs, bugs! This class is specifically designed to help agents identify different types of termite damage and nonstructural threats. The differences between termites and ants and various other bugs are also discussed.

Going Green – Construction, Conservation and Pest Prevention – Is your environment important to you? This course is primarily to help Real Estate Agents and Appraisers understand the importance of our ever changing environment and how the Real Estate community can impact our conservation efforts.

Staying Ahead of the Competition – Don’t be caught off guard by the FHA/VA stumbling blocks! This class instructs the agent on Form II restrictions, GAR revisions, and the Official Georgia Wood Infestation Report. Conducive conditions for termites are also covered in this class.

What’s Bugging You? – Don’t be scared…be prepared! Topics covered in this class include ants, flies, household bugs, insects that bite or sting, spiders, bed bugs, and prevention and control methods.

For more information, go to our website for the dates of our currently scheduled classes.  Check in often for class schedule updates.

To schedule a Continuing Education class for Realtors in your office, contact Northwest’s Real Estate Team.

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