We all love being cozy and warm inside our nice houses with our loved ones, especially this season where its just freezing outside. Unfortunately, some rodents would love to join us too. Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and other animals may seek shelter in your chimney or attic or under your porch or deck. And although we love nature and everything it has to offer, sometimes its better to keep wildlife outdoors. Whether the invaders are as small as an ant or as big as a raccoons, your best defense against pests is sealing off their entry points. Here’s a short guide on how to keep pests off your home:
The wildlife experts at the Humane Society of the United States recommend assessing the condition of your residence a couple of times a year to keep wildlife intrusions limited.
Examine your home’s exterior walls first. Experts say to look for light coming through cracks or feel for air movement, which can sometimes point you to a crack you can’t see. Do plug these cracks or hole up as these may be the critter’s entry point.
Not every hole should be plugged up though because some are there for a reason, such as the air vents in the kitchen or under the cupboards. In these cases where completely obstructing the entry point is not advised, place screens over them instead.
Recall all installation, repair, and renovation projects done in your house. It is possible that these projects might have left holes or cracks too. Dishwasher and washing machine installations are frequently reported to be the cause so do check for unsealed spots if you’ve done any in the past. Previous plumbing or electrical work done may also be the culprit.
Set out glue traps in attics or other pest-prone areas. Glue traps will grab both rodents and insects which help help you identify what you’re dealing with as soon as the infestation starts. The more traps you leave out, the better.
Weatherstripping can crack and new holes can develop through your roof or walls. Therefore, you should definitely check these structures before the temperature drastically changes, first during winter, and second, when summer starts. Doing a thorough inspection twice a year is recommended.
However, do remember not to trap your intruders inside. Before closing, sealing, or capping any potential entry points, make sure that there are no animals already inside. To do this, we recommend plugging possible entry points loosely with insulation, paper, or cloth that any animals who may be using the space inside can easily push aside. Then, for a few days or so, constantly check to see if the material has moved. If not, then you most likely have no intruders in your home and you can proceed to sealing the opening.
So do follow these tips and you’ll definitely have a pleasant holiday with your loved ones at home! Merry Christmas!
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