Wildlife Proofing This Fall

Wildlife Proofing This Fall

As cooler weather approaches, we’re all looking forward to spending time outdoors and enjoying the fall season. However, while we are outside, unwanted pests could be inside of our home. Rodents such as squirrels and mice start to search for warm habitats in preparation for the winter months. Your home is the perfect place to shelter fall wildlife while providing them with easy access to food and water. It’s important to start your preparation early enough to prevent them from getting inside your home. Below are a few tips to wildlife-proof your home this fall.

Make Sure It’s Sealed

Unscreened attic vents and openings in chimneys provide ideal ways for wildlife to enter your home. Racoons, squirrels, and birds can easily sneak in and make your home theirs. You should make sure that your attic vents and chimneys are fully screened and sealed off.

Also, cracks and crevices on the outside of your home are easy access points for rates and mice to get in. Check for holes on the exterior of your home, especially around utility pipes. If you spot a hole, try using caulk to seal it up.

Clean It Up

Wildlife love food and your garbage can provide them with plenty of food sources. Make sure your garbage can isn’t overflowing and that you properly close them whether they’re inside or outside.

Clogged gutters can also block the drainage of rain and melting snow. This can cause damage to your home while also providing wildlife a place to build their nests. Check to make sure that your gutters are clean and your downspouts are directed away from your foundation.

Tidy Up the Yard

Some wildlife, such as squirrels, are known to use tree branches to gain access to the roof. This can help give them an easy guide to the inside of your home through the attic. Make sure to cut your tree limbs and branches that are hanging too close to the foundation and roof. By cleaning up leaf piles and debris, you can also help prevent small animals from invading. When cleaning up, put everything in a sealed waste bag and store them in the garage until garbage day.

While preventing wildlife from entering your property can feel impossible at times, these tips can help you move in the right direction. If you are having to constantly keep animals out, consider contacting a professional wildlife control company. They can inspect your home, identify entry points, safely remove any animals, and prevent them from entering in the future.

Got Squirrels in Your Home?

Got Squirrels in Your Home?

Squirrels can cause a lot of damage to your home and spread diseases to you and your family. They can access your home through openings such as chimneys, fireplaces, holes, or openings in roofs. Once inside, they can chew through wires, siding, and insulation, with all of this being costly damage and putting you at risk of fire. To keep these nuisance pests out of your home, here are 4 tips for squirrel control.

Identify Where They Get In

The first step for dealing with squirrels is to figure out where and how they are getting into your home. They only need a small opening to squeeze into. Once they get inside, getting them out can be very difficult. You should perform a thorough inspection of both the interior and exterior of you home. When doing this, make sure you check for holes, openings, and gaps they can use to gain access inside.

Seal Up Entry Points

Once you’ve identified where the squirrels are getting in, seal it up and prevent them from using it again. Even if there isn’t a squirrel present, make sure to seal up every entryway you find. If there is a squirrel present, leave one entryway open so that they have a way to get back out. Ensure your doors and windows are covered with screens that properly fit your home. Place wire mesh over chimneys and open vents. Use caulk, steel wool, or other appropriate materials to seal any other openings you find.

Give Them a Reason to Leave

Most of the time, squirrels will not leave your home on their own. This is especially true if they have already given birth to a litter. To avoid this, try driving the squirrels out as soon as you notice their presence. Playing loud music or keeping the lights on are both good ways to repel squirrels. If there’s a squirrel present, try to avoid the area so you don’t spook them. This may cause them to flee to another part of the house, which can cause even more damage.

Prevention is Key

As with any other type of pest control, prevention is key to keeping squirrels and other wildlife out of your home. As mentioned above, you need to seal up any entry points around your home first. Trim any overhanging trees that squirrels can use to access your roof or attic.

If you have a problem with squirrels or any other pests, contact a professional pest control company. They can help you identify the type of pest you are dealing with, find any potential entry points, and help prevent future infestations.

How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard

How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard

If you live in an area where snakes are common, chances are you might stumble across one at some point. Snakes, like any other pest, are usually in search of three things: food, water, and shelter, which the areas around our homes tend to provide. There are several factors that determine how likely it is for a snake to be found on your property. These include location, landscaping, nearby water source, the state of your lawn, and how readily a food supply is available. Below are a few ways to keep snakes out of your yard.

Scare Them Off

One of the easiest ways to scare off a snake in your yard is to use your garden hose. Spray the snake with a steady stream from the hose until he slithers off. You can also consider installing a perch pole for hawks, owls, and other natural snake predators to perch on. Be sure to place it in an open area so that the birds have a good view of your yard and the surrounding area.

Don’t Invite Them In

Since snakes usually come into your yard looking for food, water, and shelter, eliminating these will lower the chances of them paying you a visit.

  • Mow your grass often and keep it cut short. Shorter grass means more exposure to predators like hawks and coyotes. Plus, it makes them much easier for you to spot.
  • Avoid overwatering your lawn so you don’t attract snake food sources such as frogs, worms, and slugs.
  • Keep trees, shrubs, and branches trimmed away from the sides of your home, roof, and ground.
  • Move bird feeders away from the house or get rid of them altogether. Birds often leave seeds scattered underneath, which can attract rodents and ultimately attract snakes.
  • If you have a woodpile, make sure it is kept away from the home and elevated if possible.
  • When designing your landscaping, try to avoid using mulch or large rocks. These can create breeding grounds and overwintering habitats for snakes. Instead, use smaller, tight-fitting rocks like gravel.

Lock Them Out

Snakes can be very persistent pests and keeping them out can be difficult. You should carefully inspect the outside of your home and seal any cracks or crevices you find on the house or foundations. Consider installing fencing around your yard, garden, or pool.

The best way to prevent snakes is to take steps to keep them out in the first place. Snake control can be dangerous depending on the type of snake you have. If you have a snake problem, contact animal control of your local wildlife control company who can help safely trap, relocate, or remove the snake from your home.

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