Every winter, the cold weather drives all sorts of pests into homes. Each year, Americans spend over $4 billion on wildlife removal, and for good reason. Wildlife in your home can cause drastic health problems, fire hazards, and drafts that can raise the heating bill. Depending on the type of pest invading your home, you can see damage to the walls, foundation, roof, insulation, electrical wires, food supply, and more in a matter of days. In order to keep you and your family safe, here is a list of ways to help keep small pest such as mice, rats, and squirrels out of your home. If your home is infested with pests, call a wildlife removal specialist to get rid of them.
- Store food in airtight containers, so it can be kept fresh longer and will not attract animals.
- Keep items in sealed plastic boxes. Improperly stored household items, such as blankets or summer clothes can be used as nests if pests get to them.
- Dispose of garbage regularly. Piles of trash (even in bags) in a home can attract animals and also make the house smell like rotten food. Most mice and rats animals aren’t that picky when it comes to food.
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your home to prevent animals from getting inside. Even holes about the size of a dime can be used by rats to invade your home.
- Screens should be installed in chimney openings and vents to stop animals from getting in from the roof.
- Replace weatherstripping and loose mortar around windows and the foundation.
- Clean out gutters to divert water away from your home. Heavy gutters can crack the edge of the roof, giving pests a way in.
- Store firewood about five feet off of the ground and at least 20 feet away from your home. Piles of firewood can make a good shelter for pests, and you shouldn’t have them living against your house. Keeping the fire wood elevated can keep some animals from entering the pile.
- Inspect wires insulation, and walls for gnaw marks that would be clear signs of an infestation. Other signs include scurrying or sliding noises in the walls, squeaking sounds, finding fecal matter, or actually seeing an invading animal.