Which Pests Cause Most Gutter Problems?

When people think of pests, birds do not immediately come to mind. You think of rats, cockroaches, bed bugs or something else. The unfortunate truth is that birds like pigeons are just as bad as these pests. in fact, pigeons can cause immense amounts of damage when roosting on rooves. For example, these pests cause gutter problems.

How bird pests and rodents cause gutter problems

There are three reasons why these pests cause gutter problems. They shed feathers, build nests and defecate. Pigeons are constantly shedding their feathers. This can become a serious problem when you have hundreds of these birds on your roof. These feathers eventually end up in your gutters and this causes them to block. The next thing you know it’s raining, and the rain fins a way down that isn’t the intended drainpipe. It’s the same story with their nests and faeces. Debris, like stick and twigs, end up in the gutter, and so do pigeon droppings. Another issue to watch out for are dead pigeons clogging up gutters. While this rarely happens, you will occasionally face this problem.

In addition to pigeons, other summer pests cause gutter problems as well. To start with you have rodents like rats, mice and squirrels. Then you have bees, hornets, and mosquitos. The problem with rodents is that they gnaw on everything, gutters included. This can become an especially big problem when you have plastic gutters which causes damage. These pests may also choose to build their nests in your gutters. As we’ve previously mentioned, these pests often drown in gutters and this causes blockages.

Can insects cause blocked gutters?

Nest building is also a problem with bees and hornets. These pests build their nests in gutters during the Summer months. It then rains and these nests block your gutters. Also, because these nests are near to your home, you may be harassed by these insects.

As for mosquitos, the problem isn’t so much that they damage the gutters. These pests are attracted to standing water in gutters. They then breed and their numbers increase exponentially. The next thing you know, these pests are keeping you up all night.

The bottom line is that certain pests cause gutter problems which is why pest inspections are important. This is why it’s so important that you keep your gutters clean and clear. Failing to do this may eventually cause thousands of pounds of damage. For example, blocked gutters may cause flooding, and this leads to serious problems. Replacing damaged gutters is also expensive.

The best thing you can do is periodically check your gutters. Organise your gutters being cleaned out of leaves, twigs and other debris. Check for pests as well. If you do find pests, then consider hiring an exterminator.