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This inspection presentation highlights the common structural vulnerabilities that allow wildlife to compromise a home. By following the path from the exterior roofline to the interior attic, we can see exactly how small construction gaps lead to significant infestations.

 

 

The Exterior Overview

1. The Inspection Process

The goal of a wildlife inspection is to determine if a home is inhabited and, if so,

by what species. This is determined through a combination of physical evidence

and professional experience.

While techniques

vary by situation, the core process remains:

Inspect, Advise, Treat/Trap, Monitor and Secure.

 

 

2. Identifying Vulnerable Points

Common entry points are often found where different rooflines meet.

A "soffit return" is a frequent culprit, providing a shadowed area

where gaps can go unnoticed by the homeowner but are easily spotted by

searching wildlife.

 

3. Recognizing Construction Flaws

Even in modern builds, home builder tolerances for construction gaps vary.

It is common to find small flaws that serve as an open invitation to pests.

Identifying these before damage is done is the best way to protect your investment.

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 Detailed Entry Analysis

4. The Main Entry Point

Looking up the roofline, we identify a "main entry" from the exterior.

These areas are often located high up, making them difficult for the

average homeowner to inspect without specialized equipment.

 

5. Assessing Gap Sizes

A close-up of this main entry reveals a 3-inch span of roof

covered by nothing but a shingle.

Additionally, there is a 1.50" gap at the

return joint—more than enough space for squirrels or

raccoons to begin widening the hole.

 

 

6. Vulnerability to Rodents

Even smaller gaps are dangerous. A construction gap

at the return of just .75" is large enough for rats to enter.

Furthermore, these gaps provide a weak point where wildlife

can chew through or rip open brittle

siding, such as Hardy concrete board.

 

 

 

Environmental Factors

& Hidden Damage

7. Debris and Moisture

Some areas are hidden from view and trap pine

straw and debris.

This trapped organic matter holds

moisture against the structure, prematurely weathering

the concrete board and softening the

wood, making it even easier for animals to break through.​ 

 

 

8. The Recurring Pattern

As we move across the roof, the pattern repeats.

Multiple gaps are found where structural

components don't quite meet, showing that wildlife entry is rarely

limited to just one single hole.

 

 

 

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Interior Verification

9. Attic Confirmation

The exterior findings are confirmed from the inside.

Looking up into the attic, the "light at the end of the tunnel"

shows the opening at the return, The Smoking Gun!

This confirms a clear, unobstructed path from the outside world into

the home's insulation.

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10. Evidence of Activity

Final proof is found on the structural beams themselves. Scratches in the

wood directly below the opening verify consistent animal activity.

This evidence tells us the entry is active and requires

immediate exclusion and fortification.

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