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.
Most of the time, people don't notice these cracks and crevices until they spot an animal using them as a door. Wildlife are very skillful when it comes to seeking out suitable shelter. Conducting a detailed inspection from the foundation to the rooftop is a good way to locate such trouble spots so they can then be fixed.
The best time of year to conduct such an inspection is fall, and it can easily be done at the same time as other cleanup tasks such as clearing debris from gutters and trimming limbs of trees. It is essential to ensure that all animals are out of any spaces in the home before sealing them up, or they can get trapped inside to die and rot.
It will be necessary to have some binoculars, a flashlight, a ladder, and a camera to keep a record of all spots which will need sealing. Start by inspecting the foundation, particularly assessing seams where different construction materials join, window wells, vents, and where cables, wires, and pipes go into the house. When checking the roof and siding, watch for areas that have deteriorated or have come loose.
When inspecting an attic, look around for signs such as droppings and nesting materials, if detected, the next step is to locate the point of entry. Exhaust vents, and where the roof intersects the trim are all common spots. The chimney flue also needs to be checked, and if vacant, an animal-proof chimney cap can be installed.
A small gap can be repaired using caulking, expandable foam, or copper mesh, but larger spaces will usually need to be fixed with hardware cloth or permanently restored by a professional. Wire mesh can be effective at keeping creatures such as raccoons and squirrels from re-entering, but a stronger gauge must be used against the latter.
If a homeowner places all garbage in tight containers and sets it outside for collection in the morning instead of night, it can also help keep pests away. Composting bins need to be kept free of meat scraps, and must also be kept securely covered at all times. If there are tree branches near the house, these should be kept trimmed to a minimum of six feet away from the exterior.
Most of the time, people don't notice these cracks and crevices until they spot an animal using them as a door. Wildlife are very skillful when it comes to seeking out suitable shelter. Conducting a detailed inspection from the foundation to the rooftop is a good way to locate such trouble spots so they can then be fixed.
The best time of year to conduct such an inspection is fall, and it can easily be done at the same time as other cleanup tasks such as clearing debris from gutters and trimming limbs of trees. It is essential to ensure that all animals are out of any spaces in the home before sealing them up, or they can get trapped inside to die and rot.
It will be necessary to have some binoculars, a flashlight, a ladder, and a camera to keep a record of all spots which will need sealing. Start by inspecting the foundation, particularly assessing seams where different construction materials join, window wells, vents, and where cables, wires, and pipes go into the house. When checking the roof and siding, watch for areas that have deteriorated or have come loose.
When inspecting an attic, look around for signs such as droppings and nesting materials, if detected, the next step is to locate the point of entry. Exhaust vents, and where the roof intersects the trim are all common spots. The chimney flue also needs to be checked, and if vacant, an animal-proof chimney cap can be installed.
A small gap can be repaired using caulking, expandable foam, or copper mesh, but larger spaces will usually need to be fixed with hardware cloth or permanently restored by a professional. Wire mesh can be effective at keeping creatures such as raccoons and squirrels from re-entering, but a stronger gauge must be used against the latter.
If a homeowner places all garbage in tight containers and sets it outside for collection in the morning instead of night, it can also help keep pests away. Composting bins need to be kept free of meat scraps, and must also be kept securely covered at all times. If there are tree branches near the house, these should be kept trimmed to a minimum of six feet away from the exterior.
About the Author:
Dave L. Weglin has taught safe animal control practices for over 20 years. If you are interested in getting Pest Control in Decatur and Tucker, GA then he recommends you visit his friend at Crocodile Dave
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