By Anita Ginsburg
Dealing with a pest infestation is one problem no one wants to have. You could expect to see an infestation in your basement or garage, but pests can even take up residence in your roof.
Related:4 Signs Your Home Needs Roof Repair Immediately
While you may consider your roof to be indestructible, it's actually far from it. If allowed to linger for too long, pests can cause terrible damage to a roof. And while you might think it's easy to determine a pest infestation, that's not always the case. Here are four signs that pests are wrecking your roofing:
There Are Droppings in the Area
A very common sign of a pest infestation is the appearance of droppings. Pest droppings include tiny pieces of fecal matter and urine stains. Noticing droppings from creatures like rats is easy as they're not as tiny as you may think.
If you're dealing with insects, however, then it's a different story. You'll need to get up close in order to verify if it's insect droppings. It's very easy to mistake insect droppings as pieces of dirt or dust.
Damage to the Structures
Another sign of a pest infestation in your roof is structural damage. If you're in your attic and notice something like scratches on the floor or random holes, you know there's likely an infestation. Other structural damage pests create are gnaw marks. Gnaw marks can be found on the walls and furniture in your attic. Probably one of the most feared pests you need to worry about is termites.
In many cases, the internal structure of a roof is made of wood, and wood is essentially a playground for termites. Termites eat away at wood, which gradually weakens its support. Sadly, this means termites have the power to cause significant damage. If you notice tiny, cavern-like holes in your attic, you need to contact a professional immediately.
Nesting
Pests, namely rodents and birds, like to make nests wherever they please. Pests are surprisingly crafty and will use anything they can get their paws on to make a nest. This can include leaves, twigs, and even scraps of paper. Nests are usually found in spaces you wouldn't expect such as underneath floorboards and on the roofing beams.
Your Plants Are Damaged
Finally, another sure sign of a pest infestation is having damaged shrubbery. This is something that's mostly common with insects as some feed off plants. You'll know when a bug has been in your plants through the small bite marks it leaves behind.
Pests can be difficult to manage, especially when they're in your roof. However, by quickly noticing these signs, you can prevent unnecessary damage. If you're already dealing with an infestation, be sure to call an exterminator!
Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer from Denver, Colo. She studied at Colorado State University and now enjoys writing about health, business and family. A mother of two wonderful children, she loves traveling with her family whenever she isn't writing. If you've noticed damage to your roof caused by pests, she recommends contacting a roofing contractor. You can find her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.
