Keep Wildlife Out of Your Ridge Vent in Upstate NY and Southwest Vermont

Ridge vents are one of the most common entry points for bats and small wildlife into attics. Eco Haven Pest Control installs ridge guards that seal that gap while letting your roof breathe. We serve Glens Falls, Queensbury, Saratoga, Lake George, and nearby Southwest Vermont towns.

What a Ridge Guard Actually Does

A ridge vent runs along the peak of your roof and lets warm, moist air escape from the attic. The problem is that the gap under the ridge cap is often wide enough for a bat to squeeze through, and the mesh built into many vents can break down or get pushed aside by wildlife. A ridge guard is a low-profile metal cover with fine, durable screening that fits over the existing ridge vent. It blocks the entry path without changing how your roof vents. From the ground, most homeowners can barely tell it is there.

  • Sits over the existing ridge vent, no roof replacement needed
  • Uses heavy-gauge screening that bats and rodents cannot push through
  • Color-matched options that blend with common shingle colors

Common Reasons to Add a Ridge Guard

Most ridge guard calls come after a homeowner hears scratching or chirping in the attic, sees bats leaving the roofline at dusk, or finds droppings in the attic insulation. A ridge guard is usually part of a larger exclusion plan that also addresses gable vents, soffit gaps, and roof returns.

Active bat colony in the attic that needs humane exclusion

Squirrel or chipmunk activity entering near the roof peak

Past wildlife issue and you want to prevent the next one

Our Ridge Guard Installation Process

Every job starts with a real inspection. We do not quote ridge guard work sight unseen because roof pitch, vent type, and existing wildlife activity all change the right approach.

  1. Inspection of the roofline, attic, and other potential entry points
  2. Clear written recommendation with the scope and reasoning
  3. Humane exclusion first if bats or wildlife are currently inside
  4. Ridge guard installation along the full length of the ridge vent
  5. Final walkthrough and guidance on what to watch for going forward

Serving the Glens Falls Region and Southwest Vermont

Eco Haven Pest Control is based in Fort Edward and works across Upstate New York and Southwest Vermont. The mix of older homes, wooded lots, and lake properties in this area means ridge vent entry is one of the most common ways bats and squirrels get into attics. We know the housing styles here, from village colonials in Glens Falls and Hudson Falls to lakefront homes around Lake George and Bolton Landing, to cabins and seasonal properties in the Vermont towns of Pawlet, Dorset, and Manchester.

  • Queensbury, Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, South Glens Falls, Fort Edward, Fort Ann
  • Lake George, Bolton Landing, Warrensburg, Chestertown
  • Saratoga Springs, Wilton, Malta, Ballston Spa, Clifton Park
  • Albany, Latham, Guilderland, Troy, Schenectady, Niskayuna
  • Rutland, Pawlet, Manchester, Arlington, Dorset, Poultney, Wells, Londonderry

Mistakes We See With Ridge Vents and Wildlife

Quick fixes often make ridge vent problems worse. Foam, caulk, or random mesh stapled over a vent traps heat and moisture in the attic, which leads to mold and shortened roof life. Sealing a ridge vent while bats are still inside is also a serious problem because it traps them in the structure.

  • Spraying foam into a ridge vent and blocking attic airflow
  • Stapling hardware cloth without addressing the full ridge length
  • Closing entry points before humane bat exclusion is complete
  • Ignoring secondary openings at gables, soffits, and roof returns
  • Assuming one wildlife entry point means there is only one

Quick Answers Before You Book

Ridge guards work best as part of a full exclusion plan. If you are not sure whether you need one, an inspection is the right first step.

  • Most installs are completed in a single visit
  • Ridge guards do not reduce attic ventilation when installed correctly
  • We handle the wildlife side and the exclusion side under one team

Get a Ridge Guard Quote for Your Home

If you have heard activity in the attic, seen bats at dusk, or just want to prevent a wildlife problem before it starts, we can take a look. Call 518-807-4324 or book online and we will schedule an inspection in your area.

  • Local team based in Fort Edward, NY
  • Humane exclusion and eco-conscious approach
  • Honest pricing after a real inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a ridge guard and how is it different from a ridge vent?

A ridge vent is the opening built into the peak of your roof that lets attic air escape. A ridge guard is a protective metal cover with fine screening that fits over that vent. The vent keeps doing its job, but bats, squirrels, and small rodents can no longer slip under the ridge cap.

Will a ridge guard reduce my attic ventilation?

Not when it is installed correctly. The screening is designed to allow airflow while blocking wildlife. We size and seat the guard so the vent continues to breathe, which is important for managing summer heat, winter moisture, and overall roof life.

Do I need a ridge guard if I have bats in the attic?

In most cases, yes. The gap under the ridge cap is one of the most common bat entry points on homes in this region. Bats need to be humanely excluded first using one-way devices, and then the ridge guard is installed so they cannot return. Sealing the roof while bats are still inside is not safe or legal.

How long does ridge guard installation take?

Most single-family homes take part of a day. The exact time depends on the length of the ridge, the roof pitch, and whether other exclusion work is being done at the same time, such as sealing gable vents or soffits.

Will the ridge guard be visible from the ground?

From the ground, most ridge guards look like a low, clean line along the peak of the roof. Color options help it blend with common shingle colors. It is much less noticeable than damage from an active wildlife problem.

Do you service vacation homes and seasonal properties?

Yes. We work on year-round homes, vacation properties, camps, and cabins throughout the Glens Falls region and Southwest Vermont. Ridge guard installation is a common request for seasonal homes where wildlife activity often goes unnoticed for months.

What areas do you cover for ridge guard installation?

We serve the Glens Falls region and surrounding communities, including Queensbury, Hudson Falls, Lake George, Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Albany, Schenectady, and Southwest Vermont towns such as Rutland, Manchester, Dorset, and Pawlet.

Owl logo with phone number 518-807-4324
Full-service pest control & wildlife removal in Upstate NY & Southwest VT.

Insects, rodents, squirrels, bats & more — with professional exclusion and lasting solutions.
Eco Haven Pest Control © 2026 All Rights Reserved.
Need Quick & Reliable Service?
Technician spraying eco-friendly pest control on lawn
What We Offer:
  • General Pest Control
  • Wildlife Control
  • Rodent Proofing
  • Mosquito & Tick Treatments
  • Seasonal Pest Maintenance Plans