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.
These tiny spaces can easily go overlooked by homeowners until they see an animal going in or out. Wildlife are particularly adept at locating these spots that the home's human inhabitants had no knowledge of. Carefully inspecting the residence from foundation to rooftop will help identify any such openings so they can then be remedied.
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.
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.
These tiny spaces can easily go overlooked by homeowners until they see an animal going in or out. Wildlife are particularly adept at locating these spots that the home's human inhabitants had no knowledge of. Carefully inspecting the residence from foundation to rooftop will help identify any such openings so they can then be remedied.
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.
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 the Best Pest Control Removal Company in in Decatur and Tucker, GA then he recommends you visit his friend at Crocodile Dave
No comments:
Post a Comment