ᐅ Martens in the roof space of a new build? Construction defect?
Created on: 26 Jan 2016 15:17
K
kklaus
Hello everyone,
We have been living in our own home, a mid-terrace house, since summer 2014. Our problem is a marten. We have had this marten issue since the first winter after moving in (2014). At first, we couldn’t identify it—just some scratching and rummaging noises under the sloped ceiling in our daughter’s room, and then nothing for a long time. Last autumn (2015), it happened a few times again, as if something was about to claw through the drywall and OSB panels. That’s when we started researching and concluded that it must be a marten. It appeared again just yesterday.
Reading reports online, this unwanted visitor can cause a lot of damage, and I don’t even want to imagine what the insulation looks like now and how many carcasses have decomposed there! All suggestions for repelling martens using "smells" that need to be placed regularly nearby won’t work for us because the marten moves in an area under the tiles within the insulation, which we cannot access. We also don’t have an attic; it has been converted and now houses the heat recovery unit. Our neighbors don’t have this problem—or don’t notice it—but we are the only ones with dormer windows on the roof, and I imagine this might make it easier or even enable the marten to enter.
Shouldn’t a new house be built in a way that keeps unwanted guests out?
What options do we have with our builder, who casually says that we first have to prove there is a building defect or damage they are responsible for?
Who establishes or can handle this chain of evidence for us?
Would legal expenses insurance and then a lawyer help?
I don’t have the funds at hand to quickly erect scaffolding and hire tradespeople to repair everything and secure the house against re-entry and/or collect evidence.
I have already spoken with building experts, but they are not familiar with these kinds of problems and refer me to pest control or the forestry office. However, martens are protected by conservation laws, and if one is removed, another will come. Also, pest control services are costly, especially since the animal is not regularly present, and this is a building with five units and many access points to the roof for the marten, which certainly increases the expense. Setting traps, inspections, questioning neighbors—who knows?
Help, what should I do, how should I proceed? Something needs to be done!!
Best regards,
Klaus
We have been living in our own home, a mid-terrace house, since summer 2014. Our problem is a marten. We have had this marten issue since the first winter after moving in (2014). At first, we couldn’t identify it—just some scratching and rummaging noises under the sloped ceiling in our daughter’s room, and then nothing for a long time. Last autumn (2015), it happened a few times again, as if something was about to claw through the drywall and OSB panels. That’s when we started researching and concluded that it must be a marten. It appeared again just yesterday.
Reading reports online, this unwanted visitor can cause a lot of damage, and I don’t even want to imagine what the insulation looks like now and how many carcasses have decomposed there! All suggestions for repelling martens using "smells" that need to be placed regularly nearby won’t work for us because the marten moves in an area under the tiles within the insulation, which we cannot access. We also don’t have an attic; it has been converted and now houses the heat recovery unit. Our neighbors don’t have this problem—or don’t notice it—but we are the only ones with dormer windows on the roof, and I imagine this might make it easier or even enable the marten to enter.
Shouldn’t a new house be built in a way that keeps unwanted guests out?
What options do we have with our builder, who casually says that we first have to prove there is a building defect or damage they are responsible for?
Who establishes or can handle this chain of evidence for us?
Would legal expenses insurance and then a lawyer help?
I don’t have the funds at hand to quickly erect scaffolding and hire tradespeople to repair everything and secure the house against re-entry and/or collect evidence.
I have already spoken with building experts, but they are not familiar with these kinds of problems and refer me to pest control or the forestry office. However, martens are protected by conservation laws, and if one is removed, another will come. Also, pest control services are costly, especially since the animal is not regularly present, and this is a building with five units and many access points to the roof for the marten, which certainly increases the expense. Setting traps, inspections, questioning neighbors—who knows?
Help, what should I do, how should I proceed? Something needs to be done!!
Best regards,
Klaus
The fact is that it is quite difficult to get rid of these animals. Even if you catch, trap, and release them, they are bold enough to come back.
Friends of mine had the same problem; the entire house was thoroughly inspected to figure out how the marten got under the roof. Eventually, the hunter scattered sawdust to track the footprints. And sure enough, it was discovered that the marten found a slightly loose roof tile and used it to gain access. The damage was significant but fortunately covered by insurance against animal bites.
Since these, although they cause damage, very interesting animals are protected under hunting laws, it is essential to seek professional help. While the pest control operator can provide support, they are ineffective when it comes to completely stopping the problem. The only person who can truly handle this issue is the hunter with the appropriate permit.
That’s all from me....
Best regards, Sigi
Friends of mine had the same problem; the entire house was thoroughly inspected to figure out how the marten got under the roof. Eventually, the hunter scattered sawdust to track the footprints. And sure enough, it was discovered that the marten found a slightly loose roof tile and used it to gain access. The damage was significant but fortunately covered by insurance against animal bites.
Since these, although they cause damage, very interesting animals are protected under hunting laws, it is essential to seek professional help. While the pest control operator can provide support, they are ineffective when it comes to completely stopping the problem. The only person who can truly handle this issue is the hunter with the appropriate permit.
That’s all from me....
Best regards, Sigi
D
daniels878 Feb 2016 13:29First, I would make sure it’s really a marten. We also had scratching, scuffling, and rustling noises in the roof of our apartment. The attic is small and there is absolutely nothing interesting up there.
In total, I caught 3 mice up there and released them several hundred meters (yards) away in the forest. After that, it was quiet. Of course, they should be released far enough away.
And the little ones were surprisingly noisy at times!
In total, I caught 3 mice up there and released them several hundred meters (yards) away in the forest. After that, it was quiet. Of course, they should be released far enough away.
And the little ones were surprisingly noisy at times!
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