What Could Be Living in Neglected Gutters

Mosquitoes, mice, and birds, oh my! These are just a few of the living things that can make their home in neglected gutters.

Don’t put off gutter cleaning. When gutters are neglected, clogs can obstruct water flow leading to serious problems. Clogged gutters don’t allow water to divert away from the house. Water that pools near the foundation can cause seepage into basements and crawl spaces leading to mold and other issues. If the water backs up in the gutter, it can seep under the eaves and roof creating costly damage as well. But it’s the living things found in unkempt and neglected gutters that often surprise homeowners.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can spread viruses that make people sick, and in some cases can even lead to death. The female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, and they can hatch in just a few days. If your gutters are clogged and retaining water, they become the perfect breeding ground. It doesn’t take long to go from egg to larva to pupa to adult mosquito. Those adult flyers then infiltrate your yard and become a threat.

Mice and Other Rodents

Twigs, seeds, and other natural debris collect in gutters year-round. When left unchecked, this debris becomes an ideal home for mice and other rodents especially during the fall and winter months. Because the gutters are high and away from predators, mice can breed easily when living there. This can potentially create an infestation. If you clean out the gutters at least twice a year, the little critters are less likely to take up residence and cause problems.

Birds and Nests

Like the mice and other rodents, birds love to build nests in gutters using the sticks, leaves, and other natural debris that collects. It’s common to find nests at the highest points of the home, around the chimney and in the gutter. The problems can come when you try to remove the nest. Birds often become territorial and aggressive when you try to take down the nest.

Snakes

A slithering snake (or two) in the gutter is not something you want. Snakes love to take refuge in spaces where they can nest with leaves and twigs. For the snake, the gutter offers a warm place to reside, ample shade, and access to food.

Plants

Seeds are deposited in a home’s gutters by the wind, birds, and small rodents like mice and squirrels. If the gutters are neglected, these seeds can grow and essentially create an unwanted “garden” that will prevent water from flowing through it.

To keep living things from growing and making a home in your gutters, it’s essential to have them cleaned at least twice a year. United Window Cleaning can help, taking over this chore to ensure the gutters are free of debris and any living organisms. Depend on United Window Cleaning for professional gutter service year-round. Call today to schedule your gutter cleaning.