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If you had a day to spend indoors, relaxing in your ideal setting, what would it look like? Would it be a bedroom with a comfy mattress and tons of pillows and blankets? Would it be a cozy sitting room, with floor to ceiling bookcases and a crackling fire? Would it be a sun porch with a swing that looks out over the ocean?
If we asked pests, they would probably describe your attic. It’s warm and quiet, with lots of hiding spots and materials for nesting.
With summer arriving, your attic will be more appealing than ever as pests look for a space to get out of the heat. Find out how to keep your attic pest-free this summer with our helpful tips.
What Are the Most Common Attic Pests?
Pests can enter your attic anytime, but many are busiest in summer. This makes summer a high-risk season for infestations. Some of the most common attic invaders include:
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Flies and cluster flies- If flies get into your attic and begin to reproduce, you’ll soon start finding them throughout your house.
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Wasps and hornets- Wasps and hornets will build their nests in your attic or in voids in your walls.
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Cockroaches- Cockroaches can get into your house on their own or can be brought inside in boxes or other items. If you put infested items in your attic, they will make themselves at home.
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Ants- Using tree branches as bridges to your roof, ants find it easy to get into your attic. Carpenter ants are especially common in attic spaces.
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Silverfish and spiders- Silverfish are often found in the attics of homes with shake roofs. Spiders also enjoy attic spaces due to the seclusion they offer.
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Rodents often enter attics in the fall when it gets colder. Once they’re inside, they reproduce and stay there all year, even in summer.
How Do I Keep Bugs Out of My Attic?
When you understand how bugs get into your attic, you can take steps to keep them out of your attic. The most important thing you can do is get rid of entry points so they can’t find a way inside. It also helps to eliminate things that attract them to your attic in the first place. The following suggestions will help you keep bugs out of your attic:
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Seal cracks, roof gaps, soffits, and other access points.
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Inspect insulation. Replace the damaged areas and reinforce the gaps where pests can hide.
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Install fine-mesh screening on attic vents.
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Try using natural repellents like peppermint oil sachets or cedar blocks. They add extra protection.
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Avoid storing cardboard boxes or food-scented materials in your attic.
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Check for roof leaks, and repair any that you find. Also, repair everything that the water leak damaged.
How Do I Make My Attic Rodent-Proof?
To make your attic rodent-proof, do what you would to keep out any pests.
The first step is to close off entry points. Keep in mind that rodents only need an opening the size of a dime to access your attic. If they find an opening smaller than that, they can chew around it to make it larger. That’s why you should use sturdy, “rodent-proof” materials when sealing entry points.
Do not leave any food items in your attic. This includes storing pet food or bird seed there. Rodents will look for a place with a food source and if your attic has any types of food, they will stick around.
If you suspect rodent activity in your attic, you can set out a few traps to see if any rodents end up in them. However, this is not a solution to a rodent infestation. Although you may catch a rodent or two, it will not eliminate the entire problem.
How to Get Rid of Flies in the Attic
A fly infestation can be very annoying. These pests can carry diseases, so it’s not only irritating to have them in your house, but also a potential danger. If you have a lot of flies in your attic, try these tips to get rid of them:
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Identify entry points. They may be getting inside through attic windows, gable vents, or small cracks.
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Use sticky traps near light sources.
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Clean out dead bugs, bird nests, and old insulation, which are all common fly attractants.
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Consider using odor-neutralizing products so scents don’t attract more flies.
If flies keep showing up in your attic or home, call the experts at All-American Pest Control. We'll inspect to find the cause of your fly problem. Then, we can provide a good solution.
How to Keep Your Attic Cool and Dry (and Less Attractive to Pests)
Pests often invade attics. They like the hot, humid conditions there. Keeping your attic cool and dry can make it less appealing to pests, but doing so isn’t always easy. In order to succeed, you have to have proper ventilation in your attic space. This will mean fewer moisture-loving pests in your attic.
The best practices for a cool, dry attic with proper ventilation include:
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Installing ridge vents or soffit vents
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Installing attic fans or solar fans
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Upgrading your insulation to reduce heat buildup
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Using dehumidifiers in finished or semi-finished attics
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Avoid opening attic windows in summer, since it can increase humidity and bug access
Bonus Tip: Keep Your Attic Clean and Clear
One of the best ways to keep your attic pest-free is to remove the hiding spaces they love. Keeping your attic clean helps reduce nesting spots. It also makes it easier to spot a pest infestation if one happens. Some things to do to keep your attic clean include:
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Removing old newspapers, cardboard, and fabric items that attract pests
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Wiping cobwebs and corners at least seasonally
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Keeping the area organized for easier inspection and early detection
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Only using plastic tubs with tightly-fitting lids for stored items
Your Pest-Free Attic Starts With All-American
For peace of mind and a pest-free attic, you need routine pest control. With All-American, you’ll get quarterly pest control that keeps your attic and home free of pests. Whether you want our eco-conscious Green Choice Pest Control, our popular Perimeter Plus plan, or our Complete Care bundle that covers termite and yard pests as well as over 47 other common pests, we’ve got you covered. Protect your attic, home, and property with All-American Pest Control’s full-service help.
Contact us for a free home evaluation
Reliable Pest Control in Nashville, TN & Surrounding Areas
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Sango, Woodlawn, Cunningham, Palmyra, Southside, Fredonia, Hilldale, Hickory Point, Clarksville, Ashland Hills, New Providence, St. Bethlehem, Needmore, Oakridge, Port Royal, Shady Grove, South Guthrie, Southaven, Dotsonville, Hampton Station, Marion, Rossview, and the entire Montgomery County and Greater Nashville areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or schedule your free home evaluation today!