From Attic to Restore: How Wildlife Damage Repair Really Works in Michigan

It often starts with a faint scratching in the ceiling or strange noises in the wall late at night. By the time you realize it, an uninvited guest — or several — may have already taken up residence in your attic, crawlspace, or even your ductwork. In Michigan, wildlife intrusions are surprisingly common, especially as colder months push animals to seek warmth and shelter inside homes.

Whether it’s squirrels gnawing through attic beams, raccoons tearing into soffits, or bats silently nesting in your insulation, wildlife can do a number on your property in a very short period of time. And it’s not just the mess they leave behind — it’s the hidden health hazards, structural damage, and long-term consequences that make professional wildlife damage repair a necessity.

Thorough Inspection & Damage Assessment

The first and most critical step in effective wildlife damage repair is understanding exactly what you’re dealing with — and where the damage has occurred. At Titus Restoration, our process begins with a meticulous, top-to-bottom inspection of your home, especially focusing on attics, crawlspaces, basements, and rooflines — the places wild animals love to invade.

During our wildlife inspection, we search for:

Entry Points:

Animals rarely knock. We find how they got in by checking:

• Gaps in soffits or fascia boards
• Damaged gable or ridge vents
• Loose flashing around chimneys
• Holes chewed into eaves, siding, or roof decking
• Unscreened attic vents or dryer exhausts

Signs of Animal Activity:

Our trained technicians are skilled at identifying:

• Droppings (different species leave very distinct waste)
• Urine stains and ammonia odor
• Chewed wires, torn ductwork, and damaged insulation
• Nesting materials like leaves, fur, or shredded insulation
• Scratch marks, greasy paw prints, and displaced debris

Species Identification:

Accurately identifying the invader is key to planning removal and repair. Whether it's:

• Bats roosting quietly in a colony
• Squirrels nesting in insulation
• Raccoons tearing through roof decking
• Mice scurrying along baseboards —

each requires a different removal strategy, cleanup process, and exclusion plan.

Advanced Inspection Tools:

In hard-to-see areas, we use:

• Infrared thermography to detect heat from hidden nests
• Moisture meters to find urine-soaked insulation or wood
• Endoscope cameras to look into wall cavities or crawlspaces

Humane Wildlife Removal

Once we’ve identified the intruder and mapped out the damage, the next step is removal — safely, legally, and humanely. In Michigan, wildlife removal isn’t just a matter of setting a trap. State regulations protect many species, including bats, and improper removal can be dangerous or even illegal.

Our Licensed Wildlife Control Partnerships

Titus Restoration works closely with Licensed Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs) throughout Michigan. These professionals are trained to:

• Handle species-specific behavior and biology
• Navigate state and federal wildlife laws
• Use humane methods that protect both people and animals
• Ensure that wildlife is removed completely — including babies and hidden nests

Safe & Strategic Removal Techniques

Depending on the species, we use the most effective method for safe removal:

• One-Way Doors or Exclusion Tubes
  Ideal for bats, squirrels, and birds, these devices let animals leave but not re-enter. They're mounted directly over entry points and monitored for complete evacuation.
• Live Trapping (with Relocation)
  For raccoons, opossums, and larger animals, humane cages are baited and checked frequently. Captured animals are relocated in accordance with state regulations.
• Seasonal Bat Evictions
  Bats are federally protected, and maternity season (typically June to mid-August) is off-limits for exclusion. We schedule bat removal from August 15 through April 30, when babies have matured and the colony can be safely excluded.

Working with Legal & Ethical Experts

At Titus Restoration, we don’t cut corners. We work only with reputable wildlife professionals who prioritize:

• Legal compliance
• Animal welfare
• Customer safety
• Environmental responsibility

Biohazard Cleanup & Decontamination

Once the animals are removed, it might feel like the crisis is over. But in reality, that’s when the real work begins. Wildlife intrusions leave behind dangerous contaminants—especially in attics and crawlspaces where the air circulates throughout the home.

Urine, feces, parasites, and decaying matter can all pose serious risks to your health and your home’s structural integrity. This isn’t just a cleaning job—it’s a biohazard remediation project.

Special Focus: Bat Guano Cleanup

Bats are common invaders in Michigan attics, and while they may not chew wires like squirrels or raccoons, their droppings—known as guano—present a very real health hazard.

Here’s why guano is so dangerous:

• Histoplasmosis Risk: Guano can release airborne fungal spores that cause histoplasmosis, a potentially serious lung infection.
• Ammonia Damage: As the guano and urine break down, they release ammonia that eats away at wood and insulation.
• Structural Degradation: Over time, large guano accumulations can saturate joists and attic flooring, weakening their integrity and leading to sagging or rot.

Our professional guano removal protocol includes:

• HEPA-filtered vacuums that safely remove droppings without spreading spores
• Full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for all technicians
• Disinfecting with commercial-grade antimicrobial treatments
• Odor neutralizers to eliminate lingering smells
• Safe transport and disposal in compliance with biohazard regulations

Broader Contamination Cleanup

In addition to bat guano, Titus Restoration thoroughly removes and sanitizes any contaminant left by invading animals, including:

• Urine-soaked insulation — fully removed and replaced
• Nesting debris — often containing fleas, mites, or ticks
• Chewed materials or food caches
• Ductwork contamination — especially if HVAC systems circulated contaminated air

This isn’t optional. Failing to clean properly can lead to:

• Ongoing odors
• Health risks to occupants (especially children or immunocompromised individuals)
• Future infestations attracted by leftover scents

Exclusion & Wildlife-Proofing

Removing wildlife is just the beginning—keeping them out for good is what protects your investment.

Titus Restoration uses a detailed exclusion checklist to seal and reinforce every potential entry point in your home. Wild animals are persistent, strong, and smart—so our exclusion work has to outmatch their instincts.

Common Entry Points We Seal:

• Chimney Caps – Custom-fitted caps prevent raccoons, birds, or bats from entering through open flues.
• Roof & Gable Vents – Covered with galvanized steel mesh to allow airflow but block entry.
• Soffits & Fascia Boards – Repaired and reinforced, especially if animals chewed through wood.
• Foundation & Crawlspace Access – Closed off with rodent-proof mesh, lattice, or concrete barriers.

Materials We Use:

• Rodent- and chew-proof steel mesh
• Metal flashing around roof edges and pipes
• Pest-resistant foam and weatherproof sealants
• Reinforced attic insulation (optional upgrade)

Long-Term Wildlife Prevention

We also share preventive maintenance tips, such as:

• Trimming tree limbs near your roofline
• Securing trash cans and food sources
• Checking vent screens seasonally
• Watching for signs of re-entry

Structural Repair & Full Restoration

Once the contamination is gone and your home is sealed, it’s time to restore everything the wildlife damaged—safely, efficiently, and with craftsmanship you can trust.

Titus Restoration doesn’t just stop at cleanup. We offer in-house repair services that address the full scope of damage, bringing your home back to its original condition (or better).

Common Damage We Repair:

• Torn or ruined insulation — including full attic re-insulation
• Chewed drywall or framing — especially around entry holes
• Damaged soffits, fascia, or vents
• Roof leaks and compromised decking
• Electrical wiring — coordinated with licensed electricians if needed

Full Attic Restoration Includes:

• Installation of pest-resistant insulation
• Ventilation upgrades for better energy efficiency and air flow
• Air sealing to improve comfort and HVAC performance
• Optional: application of odor-sealing paints or thermal fogging to eliminate lingering smells

Final Touch: Post-Repair Walkthrough

Before we wrap up, we’ll walk you through every repair to ensure:

• Structural integrity is fully restored
• Ventilation and insulation meet energy standards
• The attic or crawlspace is clean, sealed, and animal-free

Don’t Just Remove the Wildlife — Restore What They Ruined

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of an animal invasion, you’re not alone — wildlife damage is one of the most common threats to Michigan homes, especially in attic and crawlspace environments. Whether it’s squirrels, raccoons, bats, or other intruders, the destruction they leave behind can be costly, unsanitary, and dangerous if not handled properly.

But here’s the good news: restoration is absolutely possible — and when done by experienced professionals, your home can be brought back to its pre-invasion condition or even better.

At Titus Restoration, we don’t just remove wildlife. We inspect, clean, sanitize, seal, and rebuild. We follow all state laws, protect your health, and strengthen your property against future intrusions. It’s more than pest control — it’s total recovery.

Whether you're facing bat guano in the attic or chewed wires in the walls, our team provides a legal, safe, and complete solution from start to finish. No shortcuts. No guesswork. Just experienced restoration done right.

Contact Titus Contracting Group

• Phone: (586)610-8608
• Website: www.tituscontractinggroup.com/