7 Ways to Keep Animals Away From Your Gutters the Green Way
As the seasons change, you may find yourself bracing for the inevitable invasion of pests and critters. These pesky creatures are often attracted to gutters and downspouts, using them to build nests and even access your indoor spaces. Gutters are high up and generally undisturbed, so it makes sense animals want to live there.
However, these pests can cause serious problems for your roofing infrastructure, including severe blockages, property damage and potential health hazards. The conventional method for ridding these animals involves harsh chemicals and inhumane treatments like lethal traps and poisoned baits. But, just because you don’t want them living in your gutters, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to live, hence the need for more eco-friendly measures.
Explore these seven green ways to keep uninvited wildlife away and enjoy a pest-free property year-round.
1. Install Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are the quintessential pest deterrent in most modern residential roofing systems. The most common types include mesh screens, PVC covers and foam inserts — all of which are effective at preventing animals from entering gutters. These guards also keep out leaves, twigs and other debris that can clog the troughs and downspouts, reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
While guards usually don’t come cheap, installing gutter protection is generally a worthwhile investment. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars to over $1,000, depending on if you want to DIY the project or hire a professional.
2. Trim Overhanging Branches
Are there nearby tall trees with branches hanging over your roof? Pests are likely to use these to get into your gutters. Additionally, falling leaves and debris from overhanging branches can build up in the gutters, impeding proper drainage.
Regularly trimming tree branches, especially those near the gutters, eliminates potential entry points for uninvited animals and minimizes organic matter accumulation.
3. Install Motion-Activated Repellants
The tragic tale of Blue the lizard and the cricket glue reminds us to be careful when using pest repellants around our homes. Rather than relying on toxic chemicals, consider electronic motion-activated deterrents. As the name suggests, these devices detect movement around your gutters and respond by flashing lights and emitting sound waves to drive pests away.
These specialized systems are non-toxic and odorless, and they leave no carbon footprint. More importantly, they do not harm the animals, making these devices a more humane alternative to harsh pesticides. Plus, there’s no risk of inadvertent harm to your family and household pets from their usage.
4. Clean Gutters Regularly
Regular gutter cleaning can help keep animals away. Gutters brimming with accumulated leaves and twigs are a prime target for pests because they already contain the necessary materials for building shelter. These clogs also increase the risk of stagnant water pooling on your roof, which becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies, increasing the risk of diseases.
Cleaning your gutters at least twice a year can help deter birds and pests from lodging on your roof, as they will have nothing to nest on. However, you may want to do so more often, if nesting birds are a concern. It’s also a good idea to schedule a cleaning at the start of a new season and after heavy storms.
Remember, this project can be risky and tiresome because it involves balancing on a ladder and manually mucking out the troughs. Consider hiring a professional, if you’re not up to the task.
5. Make Food Sources Unappealing
The presence of certain pets can attract other wildlife to your property. For example, if you keep birds, the birdseed you leave out for them can draw in pests like chipmunks, raccoons and squirrels.
An excellent way to deter this invasion is to make the food unpleasant to rodents. For instance, mixing hot pepper with bird food can effectively keep chipmunks out, because they can’t handle the spicy taste. On the other hand, birds can eat the food just fine, so it’s a win-win.
6. Implement Natural Deterrents
Natural repellants, like plants and essential oils, are an eco-friendly way to prevent pests from entering gutters. These measures are perfect, if you have a green roof, since you can just plant the shrubs there. Placing potted plants near the troughs and downspouts should be effective, too.
Choose flowers and shrubs with pungent scents. Examples include mint, lavender, basil and marigolds. The key is to identify the specific pests you’re dealing with so you can use the proper deterrents. In addition to keeping animal intruders at bay, these plants add a splash of color to your property.
Essential oils such as peppermint, citronella and tea tree are another effective natural deterrent. Mix a few drops of these oils with water and spray the solution around the gutters to repel pests.
7. Attract the Pests’ Natural Predator
If you know what pest is causing problems in your gutters, you can let the natural order play out by “inviting” its predator to handle the situation. For example, large owls and eagles prey on most rodents, so having them near means fewer pests over time.
An alternative approach, though less compelling, is to implement visual deterrents like decoy predators and holographic devices. Creating the illusion of danger can be quite effective at scaring away pests.
What if There Are Already Nests in My Gutters?
So far, all the measures discussed above have centered around prevention. If pests have already sheltered in your gutters and you want to get rid of them, the process is a bit more nuanced. For instance, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects over 800 species, so going after them is not an option unless you want to face prosecution.
In most cases, removing these dwellings requires professional help and can only be done after receiving the necessary permits from your local wildlife authority. After their safe removal from your property, you can employ preventive measures to reduce the chances of their return.
Practice Humane, Eco-Friendly Pest Control on Your Roof
Whether rodents, birds or insects, unwanted creatures in your gutters can damage your home and create an unsanitary environment. Use these handy tips to keep these pests away, without causing them physical harm. These measures require a little patience and know-how, but they’re ultimately better for you, the animals and the environment.
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