Wildlife and Holiday Decor: Keeping Critters Away from Seasonal Displays

As the holidays approach, many homes in Lancaster County are decorated with festive lights, wreaths, and garlands. Decorations can also attract some unwanted guests, like wildlife looking for food or shelter as temperatures drop.

Why Animals Are Attracted to Holiday Decor

During late fall and early winter, animals such as squirrels, mice, and birds are seeking warm, protected areas to nest. Natural materials used in decor, such as pinecones, straw, or dried fruit, look like ideal nesting supplies or quick snacks for critters. Outdoor lights and garlands placed along rooflines or porch railings can also draw attention from critters, especially if they are positioned near entry points, such as vents or eaves.

Common Animal Culprits

• Squirrels and chipmunks chew through wiring or build nests in wreaths and garlands.
• Birds tuck into wreaths for warmth or attempt to build nests in porch decor.
• Mice and rats are drawn to storage boxes of decorations kept in garages, attics, or basements, as packing supplies make great nesting material.

Tips to Keep Your Holiday Displays Wildlife-Free

• Avoid edible materials in outdoor decor, such as popcorn strings or dried fruit.
• Store decorations in sealed plastic bins rather than cardboard boxes to deter rodents.
• Check decorations for droppings or nesting material before bringing them inside.
• Keep decor away from soffits and vents, which are common entry points for small animals.
• Inspect lights and wiring regularly, as chewing from rodents or squirrels creates a fire hazard.

A Safe and Festive Season

Keeping your home sealed and decorations critter-free will help ensure a peaceful holiday season. If you notice signs of wildlife activity around your home or decorations, we offer professional wildlife removal in Lancaster and the surrounding areas. Our safe and effective methods help protect both your property and the animals themselves.

Enjoy the season and let us handle the wildlife!

Winter Preparation Tips to Prevent Wildlife Intrusion

As cooler weather approaches, fall is the perfect time to prepare your property for the winter months. But while you’re winterizing your home, critters are doing the same as they seek out warm, safe places to handle the cold weather. Unfortunately, they often use your attic, crawl space, chimney, or garage as shelter.

Here’s how to take action this fall to protect your home and prevent unwanted wildlife guests:

Clear Out Yard Debris

Leaves, wood piles, and overgrown shrubs can create ideal hiding spots for animals such as mice, snakes, and skunks. Raking leaves and removing dead foliage can make your property less attractive to critters.

Gutter Cleaning and Gutter Guards

Clogged gutters don’t just cause water damage; they can also become nesting spots for birds, squirrels, and rodents. A gutter cleaning in the fall clears out built-up debris and any potential nests before a snowfall. We recommend installing gutter guards to prevent both debris and animals from entering your gutters in the future.

Chimney Caps

If you haven’t used your chimney since last season, fall is the optimal time to ensure it’s functioning properly. Dampers can stick, and animals like raccoons, squirrels, or birds can easily find their way inside if you don’t have a chimney cap. A properly fitted chimney cap prevents wildlife from entering, reduces fire risk, and keeps debris and rain out of your flue.

Seal Entry Points

Critters don’t need a big opening to get in. Mice and bats can squeeze through holes as small as a quarter. Carefully inspect your home’s roofline, soffits, vents, foundation, and siding for any signs of wear or openings. Contact a professional to have any gaps sealed and replace any damaged vents or coverings.

Need Help with Winter Prep?

At Backyard Wildlife Solutions, we specialize in identifying weak spots around your home and providing custom solutions to keep them out. From gutter guard installation to chimney caps and animal removal, we’re here to help you get ahead of the cold weather.

Call us today to schedule a fall inspection before wildlife makes itself at home in yours!

As summer heats up, wildlife activity increases, which means your pets are more likely to encounter animals like raccoons, snakes, and ticks while exploring the outdoors. While some wildlife may seem harmless, many pose potential dangers to your furry friends. It’s important to take precautions to keep your pets safe.

Common Summer Wildlife Dangers for Pets

1. Rabid Animals

Raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats are the most common carriers of rabies. If an infected animal bites or scratches your pet, it can transmit the rabies virus. Make sure to watch out for signs of rabies, including erratic behavior, aggression, and foaming at the mouth.

Rabies shots are the best defense, so be sure to keep your pets’ vaccinations up to date! Carefully supervise your animals’ outdoor time, especially at dawn and dusk, when nuisance wildlife is most active.

2. Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks thrive in warm months and easily latch onto your pet, transmitting diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Pets that roam through tall grass, wooded areas, or even backyard shrubs are at an increased risk. Keep grass and vegetation trimmed to reduce tick habitats.

Check your pet for ticks after their outdoor time and utilize vet-approved flea and tick preventatives.

3. Snake Encounters

Snakes become more active in the summer as they seek food and warmth. While many are harmless, venomous species like copperheads are found in Central PA and can pose a serious threat to pets.

Avoid letting pets explore underbrush, tall grass, or woodpiles where snakes may hide. Train your pets to stay on paths and avoid allowing your pets to chase or paw at unknown animals. If your pet is bitten, seek emergency vet care immediately.

4. Foxes and Other Predators

Red foxes and larger birds of prey, such as hawks and owls, can pose a risk to small pets and backyard animals. While red foxes typically avoid confrontations with cats and dogs, young or smaller pets such as kittens, toy breeds, or puppies could be at risk, especially if left unattended. Foxes are more likely to target easy prey such as chickens, rabbits, or rodents during the summer when they’re hunting to feed their young.

Keep cats indoors and small dogs on a leash when outside. Installing motion-activated lights or fencing can help to deter predators. Additionally, avoid walking pets near wooded areas or open fields at dawn or dusk.

Final Thoughts

Summer is a great time for pets to enjoy the outdoors, but protecting your pets against wildlife risks is important. By staying aware of potential dangers, maintaining your yard, and keeping vaccinations up to date, you can have a safe and enjoyable season for your furry friends. If you suspect wildlife activity near your home, contact us for professional exclusion and removal services!

Skunks might be harmless from a distance, but making themselves at home on your property can bring many issues. From their distinctive odor to property damage and disease, skunks are more than just a nuisance; they pose significant risks. If you’re searching for skunk trapping in Lancaster, it’s likely because you’ve already seen or smelled the signs.

What Do Skunks Do?

These animals are drawn to sheltered areas, such as under decks, sheds, or porches, in search of food, warmth, or a nesting site. You may see them digging around your yard, spraying, or coming into contact with your pets. They also carry diseases such as rabies, which makes them a health risk to you and your pets.

Skunk Trapping and Removal

While some homeowners consider handling skunk issues on their own, it’s not as simple as setting a trap. Skunk removal is regulated in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and improper handling can result in being sprayed, bitten, or fined. Professional wildlife control ensures that the animal is removed safely and legally. It also involves identifying how the skunk gained entry and sealing up entry points to prevent future issues.

At Backyard Wildlife Solutions, we specialize in skunk trapping throughout Lancaster County and surrounding areas. Our approach starts with a detailed property inspection to confirm skunk activity and locate their entry or denning areas. Once identified, we trap and remove the animal and create recommendations for custom exclusion to help secure your home against future visits.

Skunks may be common in our area, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with one under your porch. If you’ve noticed digging, a lingering musky odor, or unusual nighttime activity, give us a call. We’re here to help with skunk trapping in Lancaster, using safe and effective methods that protect both your home and the wildlife involved.