Pests, Insects, and Disease Drawn by Clogged Gutters and Pooled Water

Pests, Insects, and Disease Drawn by Clogged Gutters and Pooled Water

Have your clogged gutters been on your to-do list for a while? Often, these unpleasant and time-consuming chores get pushed to the side again and again until there is a serious problem. You might realize that those heavy gutters can cause roof, facia, and landscape damage, but most people don’t think about the hazards to your health from pests and insects that occupy clogged gutters.

Bees building hives

Bees are drawn to the standing water in ignored gutters, and they tend to build hives there. If the hive gets large enough, it could pull your gutter completely away from the house. The hive itself also poses some dangers to your roof from wax and honey rotting shingles.

Termites and carpenter ants

Damp decaying leaves provide the perfect breeding ground for these dangerous pests. Termites and carpenter ants can make quick work of eating through the timbers of your roof system, down into your home, and through your very walls if left unchecked. Keeping your gutters clean is one of the best things you can do to prevent infestation of termites and carpenter ants.

Rats, mice, and other small rodents or mammals

There are a lot of animals attracted to pools of water. If it has been a dry week but your gutters are clogged, rats and mice might turn to your gutters as a water source. They can also build nests for themselves in the decayed leaves and other debris in the gutter. Most of the damage caused by rodents is due to the constant chewing that can damage your roof or facia.

Mosquitos

Mosquitoes are attracted to any standing water, so your gutters are the perfect place for them to breed and multiply quickly. Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying, different types of mosquitoes carry different diseases that can be passed to you or your family if bitten. 

Mold allergy risks

Mold breeds in damp, dark places containing organic matter. All of those twigs and dead leaves clogging your gutters is the perfect food for certain molds that are usually found outdoors. The molds that can develop on rotting, damp leaves can trigger mold allergy symptoms in those prone to it.

Don’t ignore your gutters now.

If you’ve been ignoring your gutters all year, now is not the time to continue the trend. As temperatures drop, insects, rodents, and other pests are looking for dark, warm places to nest or multiply. Contacting us today for a complete gutter cleaning is the best way to protect your family and your home.