Inspector's check · Attic
Is the attic free of droppings, nests and chewed wiring?
Look along the eaves and insulation for droppings, nesting material, tunnels in the insulation, and chewed wires or ducts.
Safety first: Step only on the joists or on boards laid across them; the ceiling below won't hold you. Wear a dust mask and gloves. If the insulation is loose, gray-brown and pebbly like gravel (vermiculite), don't disturb it: it can contain asbestos, so have it tested before anyone works up there. Skip the attic on hot summer afternoons.
Why it matters
Rodents chew wiring, which is a fire risk, and contaminate insulation.
If it's a problem
An inspector would write it up as “Signs of pests in the attic” and rate it fix this year. Your options, with rough U.S. costs:
- DIY, $30 to $100: Set traps and seal small entry gaps with steel wool and caulk.
- Pro (usually best), $300 to $1,500: Pest control removes animals, seals entry points and cleans up.
Get this on your own house's plan
DwellTended builds a seasonal plan for your actual house, shows what needs you this week with rough costs, and reminds you before things are due. Free to start, no inspection report needed.