With cooler weather approaching, humans aren’t the only ones preparing to stay warm. Wildlife is busy exploring different living situations as the temperature drops. Prevent wildlife living in your home this fall season with the tips below.
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Examine the Exteriors
The exterior of your home offers plenty of vulnerable spots for wildlife living in your home. Take a walk outside and thoroughly investigate the property. Animals will be on the hunt for holes in the exterior as the weather cools down. Inspect all siding, boards, and foundation for leaks or rotten areas for immediate replacement. Take a look at vents to ensure they’re free of rips and open spaces.
Add weather stripping around drafty doors and window frames. Not only will this keep mice and other critters from sliding underneath, it’s an energy-efficient solution that retains the heat in your home.
Cleanup Time
Now is the time to clear your yard of debris. Lower the number of attractive nesting spots for wildlife living in your home by raking leaves into piles for compost and keeping woodpiles away from the home. Prune shrubs to deter wildlife from burrowing around plants close to the home. Clear your gutters of any vegetation buildup, such as leaves and grasses. Leaving them in there is more likely to attract animals looking build a nest inside. Inspect downspouts and clean them to prevent animals from settling in or climbing up.
Move inside the home and clean up clutter in dingy areas in spaces such as the basement. Mice love these dark, undisturbed corners, but if they don’t exist, mice won’t stay. Next, give your kitchen a good scrub. Tile grout, behind the oven, recycling containers, and garbage bins should be thoroughly cleaned. Some critters, such as rats and mice, are drawn to warm spots of the home, especially if there’s food there. A spick and span kitchen is less likely to attract these rodents in the fall. Finish off by cleaning out the chimney of any old buildup so rodents are less inclined to their nest on top of the fireplace.
Seal It Up
Escaping hot air is likely to attract rodents. Gaps, cracks, and everything in between need to be shut down so animals don’t begin making their home inside. Seal gaps with caulking, regardless of how small they are. Little critters don’t need much room to slip inside.
Keep wildlife out by installing coverings over any vents and downspouts. Wire meshing over extending drainage pipes is always a good idea. Replace torn screens so squirrels and raccoons can’t tear a bigger hole through and gain entry into the home. Cap the chimney to prevent squirrels and other critters from climbing down.
Stock up on Supplies
You want to ensure you have an adequate supply of winter materials before the cold sinks in or a surprise snowstorm hits. Check the condition of your current snow shovels and ice scrapers to ensure they’re in good shape for the winter season.
Ensure winter emergency kits are properly prepared and fully stocked, both in the car and at home, in case of power outages or car breakdowns. As the weather cools, you want solutions to be free of gnaw marks and other damage by rodents.
What If an Invasion Happens?
Even with all these preventative tips, you could find yourself hosting new houseguests. Regardless of all the steps you’ve taken, an animal infestation is best solved with professional animal removal services. They’ll remove the animals safely, assist with repairs and restoration, and implement new measures to prevent reentry.
Don’t trap yourself. Let humane wildlife removal services provide a long-term solution that keeps animals out for good to protect your home and family.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!