After a snowstorm hits, your home may be more vulnerable to animal invasion. Ice and snow can create opportunities for wildlife to enter your home. Below, we will discuss how.
Habitat Disruption
A snowstorm can shake things up outside of your home. Especially with strong winds or serious snowfall, animals may become displaced or want to seek better shelter. Human houses can provide sturdy, dry, and weatherproof shelter to wild animals. Even if they are not in an area that is actively heated, it is probably drier and warmer than a regular shelter they could create themselves.
Snowstorm Damage and Entry Points
Damage from a storm can create openings for wild animals. Even a small crack or hole can be widened into a breach. High winds, snow, and ice can create breaks that animals could exploit. Damage to the roof, eaves, vents, and more from the storm can create a vital entry point. An inspection of your home can help identify these potential openings before something moves in.
Freezing Temperatures and Structural Changes
The freezing and thawing of ice and snow can cause building materials to move or even spread. Ice expands as it freezes, which can push apart shingles, siding, and more. This could let animals exploit openings and gain entry to the inside. These openings can be hard to spot without a professional inspection. Older homes are especially vulnerable to this, as structural damage from ice expansion can build up over time.
Preventative Inspections After a Snowstorm
A wildlife inspection after a winter storm can help prevent serious problems down the line. Identifying damage from the storm that an animal could exploit can help you prevent invasion. Shore up your defenses and help preserve your home from animal invasion. An inspection after a damaging storm can save you money in the long run by preventing an animal infestation.