Keep Critters Out This Fall: Tips for a Secure Home

As the temperatures drop and leaves start to fall, it’s important to prepare your home to keep critters out. Follow these quick tips to ensure your home stays secure and critter-free this fall! 🍂

Tip #1: Seal the Gaps

With cooler weather approaching, critters of all kinds will be looking for a warm place to settle in. The first step to prevent unwanted guests is to inspect and seal any gaps or holes around your home. These tiny openings can be like welcome mats for rodents, raccoons, opossums, and other animals.

Steps to Seal the Gaps:

1. Inspect Your Home: Walk around the exterior of your home and look for any visible gaps or holes. Pay special attention to areas around windows, doors, and the foundation.

2. Don’t Forget the Roof: Check for any gaps around the roofline, chimneys, and vents. Critters are excellent climbers and will take advantage of any opening they find.

3. Contact a Wildlife Removal Professional for Help: For custom solutions including sealing, contact a professional to ensure effective sealing. Contact us for expert assistance!

4. Maintain Your Seals: Regularly check your seals throughout the season.

Tip #2: Clean Your Gutters 🍁

Fallen leaves can clog gutters, creating a perfect spot for pests to nest. Keep your gutters clean to avoid water damage and prevent critters from moving in.

Gutter Maintenance Tips:

1. Regular Cleaning: Clear out leaves and debris from your gutters regularly, especially during the fall.

2. Install Gutter Guards: Consider installing gutter guards to prevent leaves and debris from accumulating in the first place.

If you need a hand, we’re here to help! We offer gutter services such as exclusion, cleaning and installation of gutter guards.

Tip #3: Inspect Attics and Basements

Critters love cozying up in attics and basements. Inspect these areas for signs of animals and ensure they’re sealed properly.

Inspection Tips:

1. Look for Signs: Check for droppings, nests, or gnawed materials that indicate the presence of pests.

2. Seal Entry Points: Ensure that windows, vents, and other potential entry points are securely sealed.

Need a thorough inspection? We’ve got you covered!

Tip #4: Check Your Chimneys

Make sure your chimney has a secure cap to prevent animals from entering. Birds, squirrels, and raccoons love making homes in chimneys.

Chimney Maintenance Tips:

1. Install a Chimney Cap: A stainless steel cap can effectively keep animals out and is durable enough to last a lifetime.

2. Regular Inspections: Have your chimney inspected regularly to ensure the cap is secure and there are no blockages.

We offer stainless steel chimney cap installations with a lifetime warranty. Contact us for more information!

Tip #5: Secure Your Trash Cans and Pet Food

Unsecured pet food and trash cans can attract unwanted animals to your home.

Securing Tips:

1. Store Pet Food Properly: Keep pet food indoors or in sealed containers.

2. Use Secure Trash Cans: Ensure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.

3. Clean Up Promptly: Clean up food scraps and spills immediately to avoid attracting pests.

By taking these simple steps, you can help keep your home and neighborhood safe from wildlife intrusions. Need help with an animal problem? Contact us for expert removal and prevention solutions!

Let’s enjoy the beauty of fall without the worry of uninvited guests!

Snakes – A Guide to Local Species

Exploring the Snakes of Pennsylvania: A Guide to Local Species

Pennsylvania is home to a variety of snake species, each playing a unique role in the ecosystem. From the venomous Eastern Timber Rattlesnake to the harmless Eastern Garter Snake, these reptiles are fascinating creatures with distinct characteristics. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the different types of snakes you might encounter in Pennsylvania.

Eastern Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

The Eastern Timber Rattlesnake varies in color from yellowish-brown to gray and features dark V-shaped crossbands. It typically grows to a length of 3-5 feet and has a distinctive rattle on its tail used as a warning signal. Preferring deciduous forests, rocky hillsides, and mountainous areas, this snake is shy and reclusive, generally avoiding human contact. It is active from late April to October, primarily during warm months, and is listed as a species of special concern due to habitat loss and persecution.

Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

The Northern Copperhead has a coppery-red head with hourglass-shaped crossbands on a lighter body, typically measuring 2-3 feet long. Its crossbands often resemble Hershey’s Kisses. Found in mixed woodlands, rocky outcrops, and near streams and rivers, this nocturnal snake is especially active during the summer months. It is non-aggressive but will bite if threatened and gives birth to live young, usually in late summer or early fall.

Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)

The Eastern Massasauga is light gray or brown with dark blotches along its back and is the smallest venomous snake in Pennsylvania, typically 18-30 inches long. It has a small, segmented rattle that is often hard to hear. Preferring wetland areas such as marshes, bogs, and low-lying fields, this rare and secretive snake is often difficult to spot. It is listed as a threatened species and protected by law. The name “Massasauga” is derived from the Chippewa word for “great river mouth.”

Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

Garter snake in grass — Eastern Garter Snake

The Eastern Garter Snake is typically greenish or brownish with three yellow or white stripes running along its body and usually measures 2-4 feet long. Found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, woodlands, and wetlands, this snake is active during the day, often seen basking in the sun or swimming in water. Harmless to humans, it is beneficial for controlling pests and is known for its agility, moving quickly through grass and water.

Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

The Eastern Milk Snake is brown or gray with reddish-brown blotches bordered in black, resembling the pattern of a milk cow, and typically measures 2-4 feet long. Preferring woodlands, rocky outcrops, and barns, where it preys on rodents, this non-venomous and shy snake is often mistaken for a venomous rattlesnake due to its coloration. Milk snakes are constrictors, meaning they kill their prey by wrapping around it and squeezing until it suffocates.

Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)

The Black Rat Snake is solid black with a white or yellow throat and can reach lengths of 4-6 feet. Common in forests, farmlands, and rocky outcrops, this snake is often found near barns and buildings. Known for their impressive size and strength, black rat snakes are excellent climbers, often seen scaling trees in search of prey. Harmless to humans, they constrict and suffocate their prey, including birds and small mammals.

Black Racer Snake (Coluber constrictor constrictor)

The Northern Black Racer is a non-venomous snake found in the eastern United States, including Pennsylvania. It can grow up to 6 feet long and is known for its smooth, shiny black body and lighter belly. This snake likes to live in forests, fields, and wetlands and is very fast and active during the day. It hunts small animals like mice, birds, frogs, and insects. While it helps control pests, people often mistake it for a dangerous snake. Even though it can act defensively when scared, it is not harmful to humans.

How to Stay Safe Around Snakes

While most snakes in Pennsylvania are harmless and beneficial, it’s essential to take precautions to avoid bites. Stay on trails and avoid wandering into tall grass or wooded areas where snakes may be hiding. Wearing long pants and boots can help protect against snake bites, and if you encounter a snake, maintain a safe distance and do not attempt to handle it.

Call a Professional

Understanding the snakes of Pennsylvania not only enhances our appreciation of these creatures but also helps us coexist with them safely. Whether you’re hiking through the woods or gardening in your backyard, knowing what to look for can make all the difference.

If you encounter a snake inside your home or need assistance with wildlife removal, contact a professional wildlife control service. We can safely and humanely relocate snakes without harming them or posing a risk to you and your family. For any wildlife concerns or assistance, feel free to reach out to us!

Woodpeckers in Pennsylvania

Protect Your Home from Woodpeckers with Backyard Wildlife Solutions

While woodpeckers are beautiful and majestic birds, they can cause serious damage to homes. At Backyard Wildlife Solutions, we offer preventative methods to keep woodpeckers away from your home!

What Do Woodpeckers Look Like?

In Pennsylvania, we see seven different species of woodpeckers that range from 6 to 18 inches long. They also have a chiseled-like beak used for drilling into trees and other structures. Most male woodpeckers have red markings on the tops of their heads and a mixture of white and brown feathers on their body.

What Do They Do?

Woodpeckers are most commonly known for drumming and their undulating flight. While woodpeckers drill into trees to find food, “drumming” is a rhythmic pecking where they drill into the wood when no insects are present. They drum to mark territory, nest, and communicate with other species of woodpeckers.

Moreover, drumming is performed on wooden components of a home, like siding, shingles, and trim. They will also go after wooden decks and fences. Surprisingly, woodpeckers will choose unhealthy trees to drill into. They strip bark from dead or dying trees, preventing pests from spreading to nearby healthy trees. However, if the area has a low number of unhealthy trees, they will drill into healthy ones.

Food Storage Habits

Woodpeckers in Pennsylvania, such as the Red-bellied Woodpecker and the Downy Woodpecker, do engage in food storage behavior, but they do not typically hide nuts in trees in the same way as the acorn woodpecker does. Instead, they may store food in crevices in tree bark or other small cavities.

One woodpecker species that does store food in this manner is the Red-bellied Woodpecker. They are known to store acorns and other nuts, as well as insects, in tree crevices and even in the wooden structures of houses or utility poles. This behavior helps them ensure a food supply during the winter months when food is scarce.

Overall, while woodpeckers in Pennsylvania do store food, their methods and habits differ from those of the acorn woodpecker, which creates extensive granaries by drilling holes in trees specifically to store acorns.

What Diseases Do They Carry?

As we have highlighted before, birds make very large messes. They leave nesting debris and their droppings contain many diseases. Histoplasmosis, which is fatal to humans, is found in their droppings. West Nile Virus, E. Coli, and Salmonella are also found in their droppings.

How Do We Deal with Woodpeckers?

Woodpeckers are a protected species. If they are in your home, we can use one-way doors to flush them out when eggs or young ones aren’t present. One-way doors are placed in their common entry points. These doors allow the birds to leave, but not return. Once they have left, we seal the home to prevent birds or other animals from entering. We also offer custom solutions to protect or cover the wood elements of your home. In some cases, we use a visual deterrent to discourage them from returning.

If you’re hearing a woodpecker drilling on your home or believe they may be in your home, please call us or use our contact form. We’re your licensed wildlife control technicians for woodpeckers and other animals in Central PA! We are currently serving all of Central PA: ‎Lancaster, Lebanon, Harrisburg, York, and surrounding counties.

Navigating Wildlife Removal – Laws and Considerations

Central Pennsylvania boasts stunning landscapes and a wide array of wildlife, but sometimes these animals can become a nuisance when they venture into human spaces. When it comes to dealing with these unwanted guests, understanding the rules and doing things the right way is super important. Let’s talk about the laws and rules about wildlife removal in Central Pennsylvania!

Rules and Regulations

Here in Central Pennsylvania, laws from the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and other local authorities look after both the animals and people. For instance, you can’t just move certain animals without permission. The PGC regulates trapping, moving, and removing these critters to make sure it’s done legally and ethically.

If you’re dealing with critter trouble, it’s smart to get in touch with licensed professionals who know these rules inside out. That’s where we come in – as certified animal removal experts in Central PA, we’ve got the expertise and insurance to handle the job right.

Permits and How Things Work

Sometimes, special critters like bats, birds of prey, or endangered animals need extra care. That means getting specific permits and following certain steps to do things properly which includes using approved methods and having the right gear.

Did you know that relocating certain animals without permission is against the law? These animals might carry germs that can spread if they’re moved incorrectly. That’s why it’s best to let a professional handle wildlife removal and relocation – it keeps everyone and everything safe.

Doing the Right Thing

Besides following the rules, it’s important to do what’s right for these animals. Respecting these animals and their homes matters a lot! However, when they infringe upon your home or property, they need to be removed or relocated to a safe place. Usually, if they’re not causing trouble, they’ll leave you alone if you leave them alone.

To sum it up, when it comes to handling critters in Central Pennsylvania, it’s best to call in a certified wildlife removal pro. With over 15 years of experience, we know the right way to do things – legally and ethically. Reach out to us, and let’s chat about how we can help you out!

Mice Removal from Your Home

When the temperature drops, mice find their way into homes. Searching for warmer areas, they create nests in attics, basements, or low-traffic areas. While traps are sold at common stores, mice removal can be tricky.

The Differences in Mice

There are two types of mice; the house mouse and the field mouse.

The house mouse ranges from two to three inches in length. Their triangular noses are complemented by long whiskers and large, floppy ears. Their tails are hairy but also long and thin.

The most noticeable difference between these two is their fur color. House mice have gray fur while field mice are brown with white bellies. The field mouse has similar features to the house mouse but is slightly larger in size.

Why are they a nuisance?

Mice make nests anywhere they see fit. Contrary to their name, field mice will also live in homes.

They are nocturnal and very social, it’s not uncommon to see them. On the contrary, they are very territorial.

Common signs of mice in a home include scratching within walls or ceilings and rustling noises in living areas. Their nests include any scraps of material or trash that can be dragged with their tiny bodies. Once in your home, they can create structural damage from chewing. In some instances, they generate fires from chewed wiring.

Moreover, a very bad sign is a foul odor, it can indicate dead mice in your walls. Other signs include urine stains on ceilings and droppings on flat surfaces.

Mice Removal and Clean Up

Setting a few traps should get the job done, right? Well, mice can be difficult. Traps must be placed at appropriate locations in order to be successful. House mice are very smart, often they can eat the bait without setting off the traps. If not placed correctly, they will set off the trap while getting away.

As wildlife professionals, we have over 15 years of experience with mice. With proper trapping methods, we remove the mice quickly and efficiently.

Most diseases you could receive from mice are present in their droppings. Additionally, using improper cleanup methods will cause diseases to go airborne. We offer clean-up services to minimize the risk of spreading any diseases.

Backyard Wildlife Solutions are the professionals you need for mice removal in Hershey, York, Lebanon, Lancaster, and other surrounding areas. If you live in or nearby these locations, please call or contact us.

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