
Protecting Your Home from Wildlife During Winter Storms
Winter storms bring snow, ice, and often wildlife seeking shelter from the cold. Animals like raccoons, squirrels, mice, and birds may view your home as a safe haven when temperatures drop and food becomes scarce. While they seek survival, their presence can cause damage and create health risks. Here’s how to protect your home from wildlife during extreme winter weather with the help of professionals.
1. Hire Professionals to Seal Entry Points
Sealing entry points is crucial to keeping wildlife out. Animals find and squeeze through even the smallest gaps around windows, doors, vents, and roofs. A professional wildlife exclusion expert can inspect your home’s exterior for potential entry points. They will use materials like aluminum flashing, heavy-duty mesh, and durable caulking to seal gaps, ensuring your home is secure.
2. Professionally Secure Attics and Basements
Attics and basements are common entry points for wildlife. Instead of DIY solutions, hire a professional to install vent covers and repair roof damage. They can also inspect for less obvious vulnerabilities, like cracks in the foundation, providing a thorough solution to keep wildlife out.
3. Protect Your Chimney with Professional Help
Birds, bats, and small mammals may try to enter chimneys during winter storms. A professional can install a chimney cap with a mesh screen, allowing smoke to escape while keeping wildlife out. It’s also important to have regular inspections, especially after storms, to ensure the cap is secure.
4. Keep Your Garage and Sheds Closed and Inspected
Garages and sheds offer easy shelter for wildlife. Close doors, but also have a professional check for gaps or holes. Experts can add weatherstripping and suggest proper storage for pet food and garbage to minimize wildlife attraction.
5. Professional Tree and Shrub Maintenance
Overhanging branches and thick shrubs provide animals with access to roofs and windows. Hiring a professional to trim trees and maintain landscaping will reduce the chances of wildlife reaching your home, and help prevent damage from falling branches during a storm.
6. Manage Snow and Ice Build-Up with Expert Guidance
Snow and ice can create pathways for animals to access your home. A professional can advise on clearing snow buildup near your foundation to prevent wildlife from reaching entry points, as well as fix any vulnerabilities in the exterior exposed by winter conditions.
7. Plan for Wildlife Encounters with Professional Support
Even with precautions, wildlife may seek refuge around your home during a storm. Contact a licensed wildlife removal expert to handle the situation safely and humanely. Avoid handling wildlife yourself to reduce risks for both you and the animal.
Conclusion
Winter storms can push wildlife closer to homes, causing potential risks and damage. By working with professional wildlife removal and exclusion experts, you can secure your home and avoid unwelcome guests. Taking steps like sealing entry points and seeking expert guidance will help keep your home protected all winter. If you face a wildlife issue, remember that professional help is available to ensure the safety of both your family and the animals.