Animals in the Attic
Many Florida wild critters take
up residence in the attics of homes, office buildings, and other
structures. Although they may seem harmless, all of these animals in
attic can
cause problems that can include diseases, structural damage,
and fires.
- Birds and bats,
for example, contaminate the attic with their droppings (which can
cause serious diseases such as
histoplasmosis and
cryptococcosis), shed hair or feathers,
and parasites. Bird nests can also create a fire hazard.
- Squirrels often migrate into attics in the
fall. In addition to the physical damage they cause when enlarging their
entry holes, squirrels also contaminate the attic with their droppings,
shed hair, and parasites, and can damage electrical wiring and cause
fires when they chew electrical wiring.
- Rats, especially roof rats, also get into
attics very frequently. Like squirrels and other rodents, rats can cause
damage and start fires by gnawing on electrical wiring, and spread
diseases such as
plague,
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome,
murine typhus,
rat-bite fever,
salmonella, and
leptospirosis.
- Raccoons sometimes get into attics and/or
chimneys, where they can cause serious structural damage. Raccoons can
also transmit several very serious diseases including rabies and mange,
as well as other diseases transmitted by their parasites. Raccoons will
also attack when cornered and can inflict serious injuries in the attic.
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