Homeownership is the ultimate investment and sanctuary. Whether you’re a homeowner in Tennessee or managing an investment property, ensuring your property is free from wildlife infestations and tampering is critical to maintaining its value and your peace of mind. Tennessee’s natural beauty is a haven for diverse wildlife, but it often comes with unintended consequences for homeowners. Animals like squirrels, raccoons, and rodents can wreak havoc if they find their way into your home.
Enter professional home inspections. These inspections go beyond the surface, identifying issues that could lead to costly repairs or health hazards. But why is this so crucial, and how can it protect your home and finances?
This post explores the advantages of professional home inspections for addressing wildlife infestations and ensuring your investment stays safe and secure.

Identifying Wildlife Infestations in Tennessee
Wildlife can gain entry to your home through tiny gaps, vents, chimneys, and even under roof shingles. Once inside, they don’t just make themselves at home; they bring with them a host of problems. The earlier you identify an infestation, the easier it is to minimize damage.
Common Animal Infestations
↪ Squirrels chewing through electrical wires in the attic can create a major fire hazard, as exposed wires can lead to short circuits and dangerous sparks.
↪ Raccoons often nest in chimneys and attics, causing structural damage by tearing insulation and wood, while their droppings can lead to contamination and health risks.
↪ Birds nesting in vents can block airflow, reducing the efficiency of HVAC systems and potentially leading to costly repairs or replacements.
↪ Bats can create significant messes with their guano, which can damage property and harbor harmful fungal spores that cause respiratory issues like histoplasmosis.
↪ Skunks often burrow under porches or sheds, and their spray can be extremely difficult to remove, while their digging can weaken foundations.
↪ Groundhogs create extensive burrows that can destabilize building structures, cause damage to crops, and harm landscaping.
↪ Opossums are scavengers that can raid trash bins, spread fleas, and carry diseases like leptospirosis, becoming a nuisance for homeowners.
↪ Moles tunnel through gardens and lawns, leaving unsightly mounds of dirt while damaging plant roots and disrupting landscaping.
↪ Beavers build dams that can cause flooding, alter water flow, and potentially damage nearby roads or properties.
Signs of a Wildlife Infestation
Stay vigilant by keeping an eye out for these tell-tale signs of infestation:
- Scratching or gnawing sounds, especially at night.
- Droppings in your attic, kitchen, or pantry.
- Chewed wiring, insulation, or wood.
- Odd smells coming from walls or vents.
- Visible nests in chimneys, vents, or roof corners.
When you notice these signs, scheduling a wildlife infestation inspection with professionals is vital. Their expertise, paired with state-of-the-art tools like thermal imaging, can locate hidden problems long before they escalate.
Detecting Animal Tampering and Structural Issues
It’s not just wildlife living in your property that’s problematic—it’s how their presence can create both obvious and hidden structural damage. A professional, on-site survey goes beyond locating the animals themselves and pinpoints where they’ve tampered with your property’s structure.
Common Wildlife-Related Damage
- Roof Shingles and Entry Points: Animals like raccoons and squirrels may rip up shingles or expand small holes to gain entry to your attic, leaving your roof vulnerable to water leaks.
- Electrical Systems: Squirrels and chipmunks can chew through wiring, posing dangerous fire risks.
- Plumbing Tampering: Animals that nest in walls may damage plumbing lines or cause leaks, resulting in expensive repairs.
- Ventilation Systems: Birds nesting in vents can block airflow, causing HVAC inefficiencies and even system failures.
A thorough home inspection will reveal these issues, giving you the chance to address them before they worsen. Early detection can save you significant money on repairs and ensure your home remains safe and functional.
Schedule a Wildlife Inspection Today
Protecting Your Investment Through Inspections
Tennessee’s beautiful, wildlife-rich environment can lead to some costly consequences for property owners. However, regular inspections can safeguard your property and your bank account. Here’s how a proactive approach pays off:
Long-Term Cost Savings
Wildlife infestations and tampering left unchecked can cost thousands of dollars in repairs. For instance, raccoon droppings contaminating insulation might require complete attic remediation, which is both expensive and disruptive. Scheduling regular inspections ensures early detection, saving you money and sparing you the stress of extensive repairs.
Maintaining Property Value
Your home or investment property is one of your most significant financial assets. Wildlife damage, if not addressed, can severely impact its market value. Home inspections help maintain your property’s integrity, ensuring it retains its worth over time.
Ensuring Health and Safety
Beyond property damage, wildlife infestations pose significant health risks. Opossums, for example, can spread illnesses like E. Coli or Salmonella, while raccoons may carry rabies and roundworm. Inspections are key to identifying these hazards before they affect those living in the home.
Finding the Right Wildlife Control Service
While home inspections pinpoint the issues, working with a wildlife control service provides you with solutions. It’s critical to choose a reputable service to ensure safe and humane wildlife removal and preventative measures.
Key Criteria for Choosing a Wildlife Control Service
- Expertise and Certifications: Verified certifications ensure the company follows ethical and legal practices for wildlife removal.
- Comprehensive Inspections: Opt for services that provide thorough infestation inspections and detailed reports on wildlife damage.
- Preventative Solutions: Top-tier services don’t stop at removal; they implement preventative measures such as sealing entry points to protect your home from future infestations.
- Proven Experience: Look for companies with glowing customer reviews and years of experience handling wildlife in Tennessee’s unique environment.
- Technology Integration: Companies using modern tools like thermal imaging and moisture meters can provide more accurate inspections and solutions.
In Summary
Your home is not just a building; it’s an investment, a sanctuary, and a space for your loved ones to thrive. Protecting it from wildlife infestations and damage is not an option; it’s a necessity. Professional home inspections in Tennessee can help you detect issues early, mitigate costly damage, and ensure a safe and healthy environment for all occupants.
If you’re ready to protect your property and your peace of mind, contact Smoky Wildlife Control today to schedule your wildlife removal inspection. Together, we’ll ensure your home remains a secure and welcoming haven for years to come.
Related Post: Winter Wildlife Woes: A Guide to Infestation Prevention in Tennessee