What Causes Pests To Breed in Your Gutter?

Your home’s gutters are designed to channel rainwater away from the home. Without them, water from the roof pours over the edge with considerable force. It then lands on the ground near your home’s foundation, where it can erode the soil and leak into the basement or cause structural damage to your home. Gutters can save you headaches (and money) when installed properly and maintained to prevent clogs. Leaves and debris allowed to sit in the gutter can lead to clogs that provide the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests, while larger pests like birds, snakes, and rodents can contribute to further clogging and problems.

 What Causes Pests To Breed In Your Gutter?

When your gutters get clogged with leaves and debris, they can cause water to collect in the gutter. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insect pests. The water trapped in your gutter provides the moisture, while dead leaves and other organic debris that caused your gutter to clog decay, releasing nutrients into the water that helps the mosquito larvae and pupae develop quickly.

What Kind Of Pests Can You Find In Gutters?

One of the most common pests found in clogged gutters is mosquitoes, but they are not the only critters eager to call your clogged gutters home. Other insects like gnats, termites, flying ants, and cockroaches may also breed and feed on the water and decaying matter in your clogged gutters.

You may also find snakes, spiders, and worms in a clogged gutter.

Rodents and birds are also known to take up residence in your gutters, especially if the gutter is filled with leaves and other natural debris. It creates a safe hiding space with plenty of material for making nests.

How Do You Get Rid Of Gutter Pests?

The first step to getting rid of pests in your gutters is to clean the gutters and install gutter covers. Hiring the professionals at Squeegee Squad will guarantee that your gutters are cleaned by hand to ensure that they are clear. Our gutter-friendly ladders rest the weight of the ladder on the roof, not on the gutters, preventing potential dents or other damage. Squeegee Squad will also bag and haul away the debris!

Contact Squeegee Squad For A Free Gutter Cleaning Quote!

What Kind Of Damage Can Pests Do To Your Gutter and Roof?

The type of damage done to your gutter or roof from pests depends on the offending pest.

• Mosquitoes and other insects: Mosquitoes and other insect pests will use your clogged gutters for breeding. Not only can they carry disease they are also a nuisance to homeowners and guests as they often swarm (and bite) whenever you are outside.
• Snakes: While snakes don’t do a lot of damage to the gutter, they do pose the risk of entering the home. Snakes inhabit gutters to eat rodents and birds.
• Rodents: When rodents take up residence in your gutter or downspout, they will likely clog the gutter leading to overflows in unexpected areas and creating standing water for insects to breed. Rodents may also gain access to the home and can destroy insulation, chew on wires, and even breed inside your home.
• Birds: Like rodents, birds build nests in open gutters, which can clog the gutter and divert water flow inside the home or cascade over the sides when it rains. The standing water creates a breeding area for insects, too. A large bird’s nest may cause the gutter to split or pull away from the home, leading to structural damage.

How Can A Professional Gutter Cleaning Service Help? 

Having the professionals at Squeegee Squad clean your gutters at least once a year is an excellent way to keep pests away, as most are attracted to rotting debris or standing water caused by clogs. A professional can also install covers or guards to keep offending pests away. Gutter covers prevent leaves and debris from clogging the gutter and will keep birds out, too. A simple downspout screen located at the end of the downspout can prevent snakes and rodents from climbing up the downspout to make a home in your gutters.

Keeping your gutters well-maintained will prevent annoying pests and protect your home from water damage that can result from clogged gutters.

Contact Squeegee Squad For A Free Gutter Cleaning Quote!