Blog Post

Clogged Gutters and the Bugs They Attract

Nick Siebert • August 18, 2023

Your clogged gutters might harbor more than dirt and debris. 

Have you cleaned your gutters lately? On average, you should clean them at least twice a year to prevent clogged gutters. When you have gutters clogged with debris, you might notice a leak inside your home. 


If you’re fortunate enough to avoid severe damage from clogged gutters, you might notice a bug problem. Keep in mind that something small can quickly grow into a pest infestation, which is why you should always maintain your gutters throughout the year. 


The best time to clean gutters is in the fall and spring, but for optimal gutter function, you should elect to clean them every three months. This can keep out harmful bugs in gutters that eventually require the help of
professional pest removal services. Until your next routine cleaning, here’s a list of pests in your gutters (including rodents), thanks to clogged dirt and debris. 


Mosquitoes


If your gutters are clogged, you might notice an uptick in mosquitoes. Mosquitoes thrive in areas with lots of clutter and standing water, which means your gutters are a prime spot for an infestation. 


Mosquitoes in NJ carry the
West Nile Virus, so it’s important to rid your property of them as soon as possible. This means you should keep your gutters clean and enlist the help of a pest removal company that can work to reduce the incidence of this pest on your property. 


Wasps and Bees


Wasps and bees are attracted to the organic materials inside your clogged gutters, building nests there. You may also find that wood-boring bees are particularly attracted to this area of your home. Instead of running the risk of a problematic nest appearing in your gutters, it’s best to keep them clean before problems start. 


You should also inspect your gutters to make sure they work properly. This helps to keep stinging insects away. Trim foliage near your home to also help keep bees and wasps far from your gutters.


Ants, Ants, and More Ants


Here’s a fact that might surprise you:
an ant colony can survive upwards of three decades, and your clogged gutters are the perfect place for them to take refuge. This means that, despite your best efforts to remove them from your home, they might be thriving for years right outside your door. 


When ants stick around in your gutters, you run the risk of them gaining reentry into your house. This is why you need to keep your gutters clean, even if your home appears to be ant-free.


Although you can try removing ants with DIY solutions, you may find that these methods are temporary. Pest removal services can routinely inspect your home for signs of an ant infestation, locating the problem to prevent ants.


Prevent Clogged Gutters


Clogged gutters can cause a myriad of issues to your home. You may notice interior leaks or sagging and collapsing gutters. In addition to that, clogged gutters can easily lead to a pest infestation. As discussed, you may notice a variety of bugs. But clogged gutters can also provide a nesting place for
rodents such as mice, squirrels, and rats. 


The best way to keep pests away is with routine pest removal services in Sparta, NJ. You’ll protect your home and gutters while reducing the incidence of pests on your property.


Serene Property Services can help. Reach out to us today for an estimate. We service Sparta, NJ, and all of Sussex County, NJ, and Warwick, NY.

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