Preventing Wildlife Access Before Winter

As temperatures drop, wildlife including raccoons, squirrels, rodents, and birds seek refuge in warm, safe places—such as your home. To avoid costly damage and serious health risks, it is critical to protect your property from unwanted wildlife. In this article, we discuss the tips and tricks for preventing wildlife access to your home before the winter season.

Inspect and Seal Entry Points

Wildlife can enter through surprisingly small openings. Follow these steps to protect your home:

Check for gaps: Examine the outside of your home, particularly around vents, chimneys, doors, and windows. Rodents can slip through even a half-inch gap.

Seal cracks and holes: To block minor holes, use steel wool, caulk, or expanded foam. For bigger gaps, consider using hardware cloth or metal sheets.

Secure Vents and Chimneys: Install vent covers and chimney caps to prevent animals such as squirrels, raccoons, and birds from entering.

Maintain your yard

Your yard can either repel or attract wildlife. Preventing wildlife access in your yard can start with:

Trim Trees and Shrubs: Keep branches at least 6-8 feet from your roof to prevent animals from leaping onto it.

Remove Debris: Remove any brush piles, stacked wood, and yard detritus that could serve as hiding places.

Clean Up Food Sources: Do not leave food, birdseed, or fallen fruit out overnight.

Secure your Home

Deterrents and physical barriers can deter wildlife from approaching.

Install Fencing: To keep burrowing animals out, use durable fencing around gardens and beneath porches.

Motion-Activated Lights and Sprinklers: These might surprise wildlife and make them stay away.

Repellents: Use natural deterrents like peppermint oil for rats and ammonia-soaked rags for raccoons.

Secure Your Attic and Crawlspaces

Attics and crawlspaces are ideal habitats for nesting wildlife.

Check Attics: Inspect the attic for signs of wildlife, such as droppings, gnawed wood, and nesting supplies.

Block Entrances: Install barriers by covering attic vents with wire mesh and using heavy-duty screens for crawlspace entrances.

Check Insulation: Repair any insulation damage that has occurred, as it is frequently used as a nesting site by animals.

Address Wildlife Attractants

Reducing food and water supplies is critical to repelling wildlife.

Secure trash bins: Use heavy-duty lids and keep containers in garages or sheds.

Eliminate standing water:  Drain birdbaths, fountains, and other water sources when they are not in use.

Compost carefully: Compost piles should be kept away from your property and turned on a regular basis to avoid attracting animals.

Watch for Early Signs of Infestation

Look for the following warning indicators to detect problems early:

Scratching or squeaking sounds in the walls or attic are commonly caused by nesting wildlife.

Rodent droppings or muddy paw tracks can help identify the animal.

Rodents leave chew marks on cables, wood, or plastic.

Call a Professional When Needed

If wildlife enters your home despite precautions, professional wildlife control services can assist. They:

Assess the Situation: Identify access points and determine the degree of the infestation.

Remove Wildlife Humanely: Professionals frequently utilize traps and exclusion techniques that promote animal welfare.

Provide Long-Term Solutions: They can fix and recommend modifications to avoid future problems.

Preparing your home for winter is about more than simply comfort; it’s about protecting your investment and guaranteeing a critter-free season. You can secure your home by preventing wildlife access, taking proactive precautions, seeking professional assistance when needed. Don’t wait for the first signs of an infestation—start preparing now!

Are you in need of wildlife removal? Our friendly operators at Dallas Fort Worth Wildlife Control are available now at (817) 606-7607. Find out more about our wildlife removal in Arlington and Fort Worth, TX.