If you’ve been asking yourself, “What animals will I find in my house during winter?” you’ve come to the right place. Plenty of Canadian wild animals will be hiding out during the cold weather, and they might have picked your home to endure the long winter months.
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Don’t be surprised to find one of these critters in your home this season.
Brown Bats
What animals will I find in my house during winter? You might find bats. They settle inside humid caves, abandoned mines, and empty attics. They often huddle in a group, choosing a protected place that stays above freezing. If you find them upstairs, don’t be surprised if it’s a colony. Don’t let bats infest your home this winter.
Bats accumulate enough body fat to create insulation and provide energy, allowing them to stay dormant for long periods. Their heart rate drops down to 25 beats per minute, their deep sleep makes them appear dead, and their metabolism is severely reduced. These winged critters are true hibernators.
Deer Mice
Deer mice don’t enter true hibernation. Instead, they enter torpor, which saves their energy but still allows them to remain active during the cold months. From morning to afternoon, they’ll spend several days bundled up in a group, where their body temperature significantly drops in order to preserve heat. At nighttime, they’ll venture out in search of food.
Deer mice will take advantage of a human structure when they see it, and there are dangers of not removing deer mice from your home. It’s an attractive place in the winter for safety and supplies, particularly because finding food is a challenge during this season. They’ll raid pantries and cold cellars, ripping into packaging to get a bite.
Groundhogs
Groundhogs enter a deep comatose sleep—true hibernation. You might find them burrowed under a deck or shed, as they like the stability provided by these foundations. You can spot their distinct burrow around the home by their large, wide openings.
As the days shorten and the temperature drops, their body releases a hormone that prepares them for hibernation. Some groundhogs hibernate for five months, but others only enter it for three months, causing us to get excited about an early groundhog sighting—and hopefully an early spring.
Skunks
What animals will I find in my house during winter? These striped stinkers might choose to spend the winter hiding out underneath your deck. Skunks are more likely to find comfort in an already established residence, and the empty space underneath your porch or deck is the perfect spot.
While they don’t enter full hibernation, they become significantly groggy, rarely leaving the den and spending most of the winter isolating in their burrows. Skunks enter torpor, which is what makes them so drowsy. Their body temperature, breathing, and metabolism all slow down. Don’t be surprised to find more than one: It isn’t completely unheard of for skunks to burrow together for extra warmth.
Squirrels
The squirrels you’re likely to find here, such as the Eastern grey squirrels or the red squirrel, also don’t fully hibernate. They do build up a healthy fat reserve to survive the cold, harsh winter, which means you’ll see them less frequently, but it’s not uncommon to spot one running around on a mild winter day.
Squirrels are highly opportunistic critters, and when they see your home, they’re likely to take advantage. It’s the perfect hideout, with plenty of space and shelter to protect them from the elements.
What animals will I find in my house during winter? Don’t be surprised if it’s any one of these guys.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!