Your gutters form an essential part of your home’s defences against the elements. While you may not always realize it, channelling away all that rainwater prevents several thousands of dollars’ worth of property damage to your home on an annual basis. So, naturally, you want your gutters in peak condition throughout the year, but especially during seasons where rains become a bit of a problem. Unfortunately, doing so is far easier said than done.
One of the main problems your gutters and drains are likely to face are the gutters being invaded by a variety of pests and vermin who will start to clog up your drains with their nests and leavings.
If left to their own devices, these build ups will prevent water from properly draining from the gutters, rendering them useless. To ensure that your drains can do their jobs adequately, you’ll need to make sure that you keep your gutters pest free. Luckily, there are some ways you can do this.
Remove Debris From Your Gutters
Small rodents and birds are more likely to be attracted to your gutters if they are full of leaves, twigs and other such detritus that collects over time from surrounding plants. To them, such conditions make ideal nesting conditions, and may as well be a “To Rent” sign for all manner of creatures.
Naturally, having a nest within your gutters makes it hard for them to operate. The problem will only get worse once the residents start leaving refuse all over the place. Such creatures are not known for being considerate tenants.
The easiest way to keep small animals from nesting inside your gutters, then, is to make it undesirable as a dwelling space. Make sure you clear the insides of your gutters out regularly, and that you promptly remove any buildup of pine needles or leaves. Lacking any materials or potential spots to make a home in, small animals are much less likely to start taking up residence in that part of the home. A clean gutter, in general, will help keep them pest free.
Remember: Standing Water is a Haven for Mosquitos
Mosquitos are more than a nuisance; they can also be dangerous. Many carry deadly diseases such as malaria or yellow fever, so make sure you do not provide any suitable breeding grounds for them around your home. Mosquitos breed in standing water, so the best way to keep your gutters free from this pest is to make sure water always drains out of your gutters in good time.
To do this, make sure there are no sections of your gutter that allow water to remain for prolonged periods of time. Sometimes the cause is simple to fix – such as a clump of moss creating a natural dam. Other times, it may be related to the way the gutter itself is attached to the walls. If it does not slope towards the drain, then the water will stand.
Wasp Nests
Grated drain covers are fantastic for keeping your spouts and drains clear from debris, but they also provide attractive nesting grounds for wasps, hornets and other such bugs. After all, you are giving them a dark, protected, and snug environment that’s ideal for making honey and raising larvae. So you should always make sure that you keep any grated covers clear of wasp nests in the making as soon as you spot them. Stand well back and blast the next with bug spray, or else call in a professional exterminator to save you the trouble and risk of retributive stinging.
Another alternative is to use a completely sealed grated drain that allows no openings for wasps to occupy. This is the best option, as it protects your drain from both debris and bugs.
Build a Bird House
If you have birds in residence, one way to dissuade them from settling in your gutters is to provide more desirable areas for building a nest. Gutters are all well and good, but they are not ideal for birds. Providing a wooden birdhouse in the area will encourage them to move away from the gutter, which is often poorly sheltered and prone to flooding, and towards somewhere warmer, more enclosed and better protected. It is much more humane than constantly destroying nests and eggs too.
You can pick up a bird house in any homeware store in the area, or try your hand at making one on your own. Just make sure it is situated somewhere where the birds will notice and roost within it.
By following these tips, you will be sure to keep your gutters pest free! Rather than do the hard work of maintenance yourself, hiring a professional may be your best course of action. There are many professional gutter cleaning companies like thegutterexperts.com to help keep your home in perfect condition.
About the author:
Christian Mills is a freelance writer and home owner who is always looking for ways to make his household a safer and cleaner place to live. He often shares advice on what he has learned online through his writings. If you wish to learn more about Christian you can visit his profile on Google+.
