When temperatures outside drop, many wild animals begin searching for nooks and crannies they can use for shelter. The attics, vents, and chimneys of people's homes are some of the preferred places skunks, raccoons, squirrels and other creatures may invade. Conducting an inspection can help prevent this problem, homeowners in Atlanta protect your home from animals this winter by following these tips.
Sometimes people are unaware of these small openings in their homes until they notice an animal going in or out. Wildlife have a way of scouting out these hidden access points which would otherwise have remained subverted to those living in the home. The best way to address this situation is to inspect the residence from the foundation up to the rooftop, so these openings can be identified and repaired.
When fall arrives, many property owners clean up their gutters, trim their trees, and they can also use this opportunity to do a wildlife inspection. One must be absolutely certain that there are no animals still inside before any actions are taken to repair these openings or they can get trapped where they will die and decompose.
One will need the following items for inspecting the home; a ladder, binoculars, a flashlight, and a camera to keep track of all entry points. Starting with the foundation, pay close attention to places where different types of building materials join, vents, window wells, and where cables, wires, and pipes enter the house. Damaged, loose, or rotting places on the roof and siding should be investigated thoroughly.
In attics, a tell-tale sign of animals are droppings and torn up nesting materials on the ground. Once it has been determined that creatures are present, one must scout out the place through which they entered, usually near an exhaust vent or where the roof meets the trim. Looking inside the chimney flue to make sure nothing is living inside is also recommended, then it can be capped off.
Small openings can usually be filled with either expandable foam, copper mesh, or caulking. While larger ones will need to be patched with hardware cloth or fixed permanently by a professional. The type of species of wildlife can also determine how the damage is addressed, wire mesh flashing will work against squirrels and raccoons, but a stronger gauge is required for the latter.
Other steps homeowners can take to discourage creatures include placing trash in secured containers and put it out in the morning rather than the night before, and covering compost piles, making sure they do not contain meat scraps. Tree branches around the house should be trimmed so they are no less than six feet away from its exterior.
Sometimes people are unaware of these small openings in their homes until they notice an animal going in or out. Wildlife have a way of scouting out these hidden access points which would otherwise have remained subverted to those living in the home. The best way to address this situation is to inspect the residence from the foundation up to the rooftop, so these openings can be identified and repaired.
When fall arrives, many property owners clean up their gutters, trim their trees, and they can also use this opportunity to do a wildlife inspection. One must be absolutely certain that there are no animals still inside before any actions are taken to repair these openings or they can get trapped where they will die and decompose.
One will need the following items for inspecting the home; a ladder, binoculars, a flashlight, and a camera to keep track of all entry points. Starting with the foundation, pay close attention to places where different types of building materials join, vents, window wells, and where cables, wires, and pipes enter the house. Damaged, loose, or rotting places on the roof and siding should be investigated thoroughly.
In attics, a tell-tale sign of animals are droppings and torn up nesting materials on the ground. Once it has been determined that creatures are present, one must scout out the place through which they entered, usually near an exhaust vent or where the roof meets the trim. Looking inside the chimney flue to make sure nothing is living inside is also recommended, then it can be capped off.
Small openings can usually be filled with either expandable foam, copper mesh, or caulking. While larger ones will need to be patched with hardware cloth or fixed permanently by a professional. The type of species of wildlife can also determine how the damage is addressed, wire mesh flashing will work against squirrels and raccoons, but a stronger gauge is required for the latter.
Other steps homeowners can take to discourage creatures include placing trash in secured containers and put it out in the morning rather than the night before, and covering compost piles, making sure they do not contain meat scraps. Tree branches around the house should be trimmed so they are no less than six feet away from its exterior.
About the Author:
Dave L. Weglin has taught safe animal control practices for over 20 years. If you are interested in getting the Pest Control Service Company in Decatur and Tucker, GA then he recommends you visit his friend at Crocodile Dave
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