Critters like raccoons, squirrels, bats, mice, and rats will often invade your attic, where they will rip up your attic insulation to build their nests, often contaminating it in the process with their urine and droppings. This can lead to health risks and an unsanitary environment, as well as energy efficiency problems, and in some extreme cases, structural damage. Don’t worry, Summit Environmental Solutions can help. Not only can we trap and remove critters from your attic, we can also clean the affected area and replace the contaminated insulation. Get in touch with our team today to get started at 703-520-5868!
Wildlife in Your Attic
- Raccoons – large intruders that tear insulation and HVAC ducts and dig latrines inside attic insulation to deposit their waste in
- Squirrels – known for nesting and chewing on insulation and wiring, depositing waste as they do so.
- Bats – nest in colonies that produce large amounts of guano that saturate insulation.
- Rodents (mice and rats) – urinate and defecate in insulation, creating strong odors and health risks. Mice will also tunnel through insulation, hollowing it out.
What Happens When Animals Contaminate Your Insulation?
Raccoons, squirrels and rodents will deposit large amounts of urine and feces inside your attic insulation, which can lead to the insulation compacting and becoming less effective. The insulation can also absorb the moisture and may begin growing mold. These animals will also tear up and shred your insulation to make their nests, displacing it and lowering its effectiveness.
Bats often nest in large groups, and when all these bats are together, depositing their guano into your insulation, it can accumulate in large piles and push down the attic insulation.
Health Risks of Contaminated Insulation
Animal waste contaminating your attic insulation can create serious health risks, including:
- Diseases and pathogens: bat guano can spread histoplasmosis, raccoon waste can spread leptospirosis and raccoon roundworm, mice waste can spread hantavirus
- Mold spores and bacteria can circulate through your HVAC system
- Parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites can be spread by animals in your attic
Energy Efficiency and Structural Damage
Insulation contaminated by wildlife waste can also lead to a decrease in energy efficiency and even some structural damage. When the insulation is soiled, it absorbs that moisture and will settle and compress, making it less effective at resisting heat. When your insulation isn’t working as well as it should, your HVAC system will have to work overtime to compensate, leading to higher energy bills.
Additionally, animal waste can create structural damage in some extreme cases. Large piles of bat guano can cause attic floorboards to buckle, and raccoon waste may seep through the ceiling into the living space of the home. When the moisture from the waste saturates wooden beams and framing in the attic, it can lead to wood rot.
Insulation Replacement Services in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Fredericksburg
The best way to remove contaminated insulation from your attic space while avoiding disease transmission is to contact the experts at Summit Environmental Solutions. Not only can we trap and remove the culprit critters, but we will also remove the soiled insulation, deep clean the area, and replace your insulation with new, highly effective material. Our technicians are armed with the proper protective equipment as well as the tools and training necessary to remove the contaminated insulation and clean the area without any disease transmission. We serve the Northern Virginia areas of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Fredericksburg, so contact the Summit team today to get started with a FREE estimate at 703-520-5868!
