Wildlife animals are nice to look at in photographs or paintings, and even at a distance in real life. But they are not so pleasant when they get inside our homes. They have no business inside our homes in the first place. When they get in, they wreak havoc. They don’t have any intentions of making a mess of your home or causing a lot of damage, but rather they are just following their instincts to find shelter, warmth, food, and water.
As the weather in New England cools down in the fall, wildlife animals such as skunks, raccoons, and even bats are left scrambling for a place to stay for the winter. Your home provides everything they need, however, they don’t know the first thing about being proper guests. They won’t hesitate to leave urine and feces throughout your home, rip apart furniture, or scavenge through your kitchen and pantry. All three of these animals can bite if provoked and they can all carry rabies, parasites, and other pathogens. Homeowners must prevent wildlife from gaining access to their homes at all costs.
Here are a few tips to wildlife-proof your New England home for the winter:
- Do not feed any of the wildlife on your property
- Place bird feeders in a place where only birds have access to them
- Avoid using bird baths on your property
- Keep pet food and water indoors
- Store all of your food in the refrigerator or airtight containers
- Take care of garbage regularly
- Keep outdoor trash covered securely with tight-fitting lids
- Install chimney caps and door sweeps
- Cover soffits and vents with heavy-duty screening
- Keep basements, wall voids, crawl spaces, and attics dry and well-ventilated
- Cut back tree limbs and bushes about 6-8 feet from your home
- Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home
- Avoid debris, leaf, and brush piles from accumulating on your lawn
When it comes to dangerous wildlife, eradication and prevention should be left to the professionals. Animals can be dangerous, especially if they feel threatened, so don’t risk taking care of wildlife problems on your own. You will need the help of our experienced professionals at Big Blue Bug Solutions in New England. Our wildlife division is ready to go to work for you! Don’t wait to give us a call for wildlife-proofing your home this fall.