Your ridge vent or ridge cap is a crucial part of the structure of your home, but depending on what type is installed, it can also allow wildlife access to your attic.  Of course this is not what we want!

Bats in the attic

The most common culprit that uses the ridge vent to access an attic space is bats.  Bats can use a small opening to gain entry, generally speaking, if you can fit your finger in a gap, bats can get in there.  Typically bats don't chew, but rather they exploit an existing opening to gain entry.  

The problem is that some ridge vent material is made of black plastic.  As that plastic sits for years baking in the hot Georgia sun it tends to warp and bend, typically in the middle it will rise up from the shingles and create a small opening.  This is all that is needed for bats to slip in and have a nice cozy spot to set up camp.  

I also often encounter issues with ridge vents on steep roofs.  Again, this ridge vent material is usually sold in flat, or close to it, bundles, and they are nailed in place on the roof.  Over time with the hot sun bearing down the again pull away from the roof and create openings.

Rodents like squirrels and roof rats can also chew through the plastic to gain access if they want.

Ridge Guard to the Rescue

Ridge Guard is an expanded metal material that is coated black and fits over the edge of the ridge vent to prevent anything from getting in under the vent.  It also protects the exposed plastic areas from being chewed on by rodents.  There are enough openings to still allow the attic to vent properly, but the openings are small enough that even dirt daubers and wasps can have trouble getting through, which is a big side benefit!

Ridge Guard installation is one aspect of what we call "exclusion."  Which is just to say that we are attempting to exclude, or prevent, wildlife from entering your home.  

One of the reasons bats and other wildlife enter a home is because there are residual smells that are in the attic, and through the natural ventilation of an attic, any animal smells that may be in the attic from prior years are going to be vented around the roof.  So any critter, squirrel, bat, etc. that happens to cross on or near the attic may smell the odor of another animal and get curious to come and see where that animal is/was.  

Through this exclusion we can also offer a warranty on any future wildlife issues.

Contact us

If you're hearing noises in your attic, or just want to be sure there are no issues, we would be happy to come do a free inspection to see what critters you may be dealing with and the best way to remove/prevent them.  CatchPro Wildlife Removal offers flying squirrel removal and exclusion services in the Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair, Eatonton, Greensboro, Madison, and Athens areas.  We also deal with any other wildlife issues, including bats, gray squirrels, raccoons, snakes, birds, hogs, foxes, coyotes, and any other four legged or flying critters.  Feel free to give us a call or text at 706-460-3024.

Your ridge vent or ridge cap is a crucial part of the structure of your home, but depending on what type is installed, it can also allow wildlife access to your attic.  Of course this is not what we want!

Bats in the attic

The most common culprit that uses the ridge vent to access an attic space is bats.  Bats can use a small opening to gain entry, generally speaking, if you can fit your finger in a gap, bats can get in there.  Typically bats don't chew, but rather they exploit an existing opening to gain entry.  

The problem is that some ridge vent material is made of black plastic.  As that plastic sits for years baking in the hot Georgia sun it tends to warp and bend, typically in the middle it will rise up from the shingles and create a small opening.  This is all that is needed for bats to slip in and have a nice cozy spot to set up camp.  

I also often encounter issues with ridge vents on steep roofs.  Again, this ridge vent material is usually sold in flat, or close to it, bundles, and they are nailed in place on the roof.  Over time with the hot sun bearing down the again pull away from the roof and create openings.

Rodents like squirrels and roof rats can also chew through the plastic to gain access if they want.

Ridge Guard to the Rescue

Ridge Guard is an expanded metal material that is coated black and fits over the edge of the ridge vent to prevent anything from getting in under the vent.  It also protects the exposed plastic areas from being chewed on by rodents.  There are enough openings to still allow the attic to vent properly, but the openings are small enough that even dirt daubers and wasps can have trouble getting through, which is a big side benefit!

Ridge Guard installation is one aspect of what we call "exclusion."  Which is just to say that we are attempting to exclude, or prevent, wildlife from entering your home.  

One of the reasons bats and other wildlife enter a home is because there are residual smells that are in the attic, and through the natural ventilation of an attic, any animal smells that may be in the attic from prior years are going to be vented around the roof.  So any critter, squirrel, bat, etc. that happens to cross on or near the attic may smell the odor of another animal and get curious to come and see where that animal is/was.  

Through this exclusion we can also offer a warranty on any future wildlife issues.

Contact us

If you're hearing noises in your attic, or just want to be sure there are no issues, we would be happy to come do a free inspection to see what critters you may be dealing with and the best way to remove/prevent them.  CatchPro Wildlife Removal offers flying squirrel removal and exclusion services in the Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair, Eatonton, Greensboro, Madison, and Athens areas.  We also deal with any other wildlife issues, including bats, gray squirrels, raccoons, snakes, birds, hogs, foxes, coyotes, and any other four legged or flying critters.  Feel free to give us a call or text at 706-460-3024.