Raise your hand if the thought of creepy crawlies like spiders, millipedes, and other pests like rodents or snakes makes your skin crawl! No one wants these pests inside their homes, so we do everything possible to prevent them. From routine pest control to keeping things that attract pests, like standing water or food, to a minimum, we can minimize the risk of pest infestations. However, your gutter system could be to blame for attracting unwanted pests.
Gutters help prevent drainage issues by collecting rainwater and snowmelt from the roof and diverting it away from a home’s foundation. Unfortunately, poor gutter drainage can damage a home, causing issues like foundation damage, roof damage, and even pest infestations. No one likes to reach their hand inside their gutter to discover a creepy, slimy pest. Keep reading to learn how poor gutter drainage can lead to pest infestation and how to avoid pests from burrowing inside or calling your gutter system home.
Common Pest Infestations in Gutters
Gutter systems were invented thousands of years ago, dating back to 47 AD, to collect water from a roof and direct it away from a structure. The concept is simple, but there is no room for pests in any gutter design or type. Unfortunately, some gutter systems are home to pests, specifically those that aren’t durable, are faulty, clogged, or damaged.
Our entire team at K-Guard has seen every type of creepy crawly or rodent inside a gutter system since we’ve been inspecting and dismantling old/faulty gutter systems. Below are some common pests that can invade a gutter system:
- Squirrels and other rodents like chipmunks and rats
- Mosquitoes and other insects
- Bees and wasps
- Birds
- Snakes
While snakes are less common, they have been found inside gutter systems, especially if a food source like a rodent is nested inside the gutter system. While some pests like birds and chipmunks can be adorable, they can damage a gutter system. Moquiotes, bees, and wasps can breed quickly inside a gutter system, especially if it’s clogged or has standing water.
How Poor Gutter Drainage Leads to Pest Infestations
Investing in monthly pest control is a great idea for Kansas City homeowners, but you can also help control pests with routine gutter cleaning. Keeping gutters clean is the first step to keeping pests from infesting your gutters and downspouts! Poor guter drainage leads to pest infestations for several reasons:
Creates a Food Source
If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your gutter system, you may have unknowingly created a food source that attracts pests. Some pests, like mice and rats, feed on insects. Dirty gutters with standing water and debris are a breeding ground for insects, attracting undesirable pests that may invade your gutter system.
Standing Water
Did you know that some insects are attracted to roof algae? Ants and mosquitoes are drawn to algae, possibly resulting in an infestation. The longer debris that can hold algae and fungi remains inside gutters and on the roof, the higher the chance of a pest infestation in your gutters.
Debris
Pests are attracted to debris inside a gutter system for many reasons. For one, some pests, like ants, beetles, and cockroaches, feed on debris like leaves, twigs, and organic matter that finds its way into your gutter system. Other pests are attracted to debris inside gutters because they use it for nesting materials. Depending on the pest that builds a nest inside your gutters, that nest can attract other unwanted rodents or reptiles like snakes and lizards.
How to Prevent Poor Gutter Drainage and Pests
Pests are a nuisance when they burrow or nest inside your gutter system, so taking the necessary precautions and steps to prevent them is paramount for proper gutter drainage. Below are some things you can do to avoid poor gutter drainage and pests:
Regularly Clean Your Gutters
If you have traditional half-round gutters installed, clean them regularly. According to FEMA, your gutters should be thoroughly cleaned at least twice yearly. This prevents issues caused by debris, like clogged gutters, damage to your gutters and roof, and pest infestations. Cleaning gutters is a dreaded task since it’s time-consuming and involves scaling a tall ladder, but it’s crucial to prevent drainage issues. Follow our guide to gutter cleaning for some cleaning and safety tips.
Trim Nearby Trees
Trees with branches that reach your roof or gutters should be trimmed often to avoid easy access for pests. Rodents like squirrels, chipmunks, and even reptiles like snakes can climb trees and use the branches for easy access inside your gutters. Keeping trees trimmed can prevent overhanging branches that make it easy for pests to access your gutters.
Install High-Quality Gutter Protection
High-quality gutter protection can keep unwanted pests out of your gutters and downspouts, preventing poor gutter drainage and damage. Not all gutter guards are great for preventing debris and pest infestations. However, the best, high-quality gutter protection is installing the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System.
K-Guard has a curved hood that prevents debris and pests from entering the gutter system, eliminating the need for you to clean your gutters. Your gutter system will remain clog-free for the life of the home, improving water management and complementing the beauty of your home with its aesthetic appeal.
Prevent Poor Gutter Drainage and Pests with K-Guard
Our gutter guards are also sleek, adding curb appeal to any home. Whether you have a multiple-story colonial, new construction, historic, or a single-story ranch, K-Guard will complement the beauty of your home and add value. Our gutters are available in many colors, from earthy neutrals to vibrant blues and greens, making it easy to customize your K-Guard Gutters.
From the most extreme weather, like hailstorms and severe thunderstorms, to high humidity levels, K-Guard will last for the home’s life. Our aluminum gutters are so durable that we offer three lifetime warranties, including a lifetime no-clog warranty, a paint warranty, and a workmanship warranty. K-Guard is better than other gutter guards and gutter covers, protecting your home from water damage year-round.
We also have a convenient estimation calculator that gives you a ballpark estimate for installing K-Guard Gutters. In just minutes, you can get a free quote without having to schedule an estimate to get a feel for the installation cost. Our installation process is simple, with three easy steps to get lifetime gutters. Contact K-Guard Heartland today for a free estimate, a detailed analysis of your current gutter system, and estimated costs for installing K-Guard on your home.
