As the summer heat starts to fade and the leaves begin to change colors, it’s time to think about completing some fall projects. You’ll likely be putting away the summer toys, cleaning up debris around the yard, and sprucing up your home’s exterior. Another task that you may want to undertake is preventing animals seeking shelter from getting into your home. 

What Types of Animals Invade Homes?

The truth is, most animals prefer to live in the woods or other areas where there aren’t any people. But, some critters have become very adept at living alongside people, even in our homes. And, why not? Human dwellings offer animals a warm, dry environment, food, and water. Some animals that commonly invade homes include:

Rodents

Mice and rats have a reputation for being destructive and disease ridden for good reason. Rodents can chew through wood, drywall, electrical wires, and more, causing serious damage to homes. Rodents can also pass on a number of diseases including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia and Salmonella.

Bats

When it comes to insect control, bats are one of nature’s best. They can literally eat thousands of insects every night. But, when a bat colony decides to bed down in your attic for the winter, it’s a very bad thing. Not only will you hear them moving about, which can be distressing, you will certainly smell them. Bat guano has a strong odor and it can seep into woodwork, insulation, and your drywall ceilings, resulting in huge repair bills.

Racoons

These crafty critters understand that humans have comfortable homes with plenty of dark, private spaces. Racoons will happily settle into your attic, crawlspace, or inside the walls of your home if they can get in. Once inside, they’ll scratch, chew, urinate, and generally wreck the area as they make themselves at home. Female racoons often give birth in attics and as the kits grow, they cause even more damage.

Squirrels

There are few critters in the animal kingdom that are as busy as squirrels. They constantly flit about, searching for nuts and seeds, running up and down trees without a bit of hesitation. Most squirrels build their nests in trees where they spend the winter, but your attic is also an attractive winter home. Like racoons and rodents, squirrels chew, causing damage to wood, wires, drywall, and insulation.

How to Protect Your Home Against Critters This Fall

You and your family appreciate nature and you love to see the critters out in the wild. But, you don’t want them living in your home. This fall, protect your property and your family by following few simple steps:

• Trim trees and bushes that animals could use to climb onto your roof.
• Clean up debris, dead plant material, and leaves from around the house.
• Remove any possible food sources such as nuts, fruit, and garden plants.
• Seal up holes, cracks, and other openings animals may get into.
• Install screens and other guards on vents, windows, and doors.

If you have an issue with wildlife living in your attic, crawlspace, or other area of your home, contact Critter Control. Our experts will safely remove the animal so you can rest easy it your family are safe.