Puslinch, Ontario – 2024
This article will delve into a case of a significant bat infestation in the attic of a house in Puslinch. Initially, the technician visited the attic to inspect for bat droppings and provide a quote for attic remediation. However, as with many of our jobs, the situation took an unexpected turn. The bats had not vacated the attic, and the technician discovered that the bats were still present before proceeding with the attic remediation. Additionally, the technician found that the customer had a rampant rodent infestation that could easily enter the home. While this situation is common, it is crucial to address both infestations to ensure the safety and comfort of the home’s occupants.
This visit is located in Puslinch near Guelph, Ontario.
The technicians, before the work is done, must first inspect and confer with the customer or customers on the issue and then must inspect for the source of the infestation. This would be the main entry way the bats where using to get in. Due to the limitations on bat removal in Ontario the one way door could not be attached. The reason for this is, unlike many other protected species bats are considered endangered and their baby season is protected, even if they are occupying your home. The technician inspected for other areas that could be sealed and found many. Both issues for wildlife like bats, squirrels and raccoons as well as rodents due to the large presence of rodent activity on the property and in the attic of the home.
Puslinch, Ontario: A Peaceful Community in South Central Ontario
Puslinch, Established as early as 1850, is a small tight nit community that resides just outside of Guelph in in south-central Ontario, Canada. It is part of Wellington County and is at the south end of Guelph. The town is near a lake, has a population of a round eight thousand and is a quiet retreat from city like yet maintains important amities. The town produces a large amount of agriculture and mining of aggregate materials and is also a source of bottled water. It is an affordable and peaceful place to live.
Interior Inspection
While inspecting the interior of the house it was found that the attic was almost entirely destroyed by rodent and bat activity. What was not anticipated in the inspection was that both issues were still present in the attic. The customer has request an inspection for attic remediation not knowing that the activity in the attic had yet to cease. The remediation would have to wait as the rodents and bats need to be treated and evicted respectively before and insulation removal or disinfection could take place. Otherwise it would be a waste of time and money.
Exterior Inspection
While the initial job was meant to be an interior inspection the attic the findings resulted in the need for an exterior inspection for entry ways. The technician needed to find the access points used by the bats and seal them off. Due to bat baby season the one way door that would actually allow the bats to vacate and prevent them from re-entering the attic could not be attached. The technician did find the main entry way but could not seal it yet. Instead the technician inspected for other sensitive areas the bats could use as well as other entry ways they made and quote on sealing those areas first to minimize bat ingress.
Initial Measures
The first step was to seal off sensitive areas rodents and wildlife can get into. Rodents like mice can fit through openings as small as a twenty-five cent coin, weep vents, soffit wall gaps and wall vents can be accessed easily. For wildlife its similar in the case of bats and soffit wall gaps can allow entry into attic spaces as well as the soffits themselves.
Proposed exclusion
The technician sealed off a great deal of entry ways. The house itself had one hundred and twelve weep vents all of which needed to be sealed using stainless steel vented inserts that block entry but allow airflow through the vents. thirty feet of soffit wall gaps were sealed off with caulking and four feet of soffit was sealed to prevent rodent and wildlife penetration into the attic. A treatment for mice was done in attic to get rid of the existing infestation. The one way door was installed shortly after as bat baby season was already near its end and the bats where allowed to vacate humanely.
Conclusion
The technician meticulously sealed all areas that required sealing. The bats vacated the premises, and the mice were treated. Additionally, all rodents and wildlife were excluded from entering through structural entry points. While rodents can enter through open doors and other intentional entryways, the structural entryways were sealed to prevent their entry. Consequently, the activity ceased, and the home was effectively protected.
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