Soffiting, the underside of a roof's overhang, and soffit angles, where the soffiting meets the roof, are important parts of your home's architecture. However, they are also susceptible to vulnerabilities that make them attractive to wildlife looking for shelter and access into your structure.
A common issue is when the soffiting does not extend all the way to the roof, leaving gaps or exposed areas providing easy access into the roof overhang void to den and nest.
Furthermore when soffiting is installed it isn't securely fastened and so over time the panels can easily be blown out of place or buckled resulting in vulnerable spot for wildlife to easily push it up and exploit the gap.
Look out for bulging soffiting panels!
Keep an eye open for any bowing or bulging soffiting panels as this could indicate nesting or den sites of animals on the inside. You may even notice some sticks poking out or concentrated droppings in one spot. Accumulated nesting materials and the associated weight can bend soffiting out of shape resulting in structural and water damage.
Best place to safely sit and chew? The soffit angles
Animals such as squirrels and rats make a bee-line for soffit angles as they provide hidden overhangs where they can sit and safely chew without being seen or exposed to the elements. Once a hole is created they can come and go without being visible. Soffit angles also provide excellent spots for raccoons, who are known for their dexterity and strength, to gain leverage pushing or pulling on soffiting for direct access.
Ensuring the entire angle is pest proofed will prevent critters from using these as an easy way in.
Have your soffiting reinforced and soffit angled pest proofed before wildlife figure it out - contact our team, we can help with everything from birds to raccoons.