Common Entry Points for Small Wildlife

While furry, four-footed creatures may seem like cute, harmless animals, the damage they can wreak on your home belies their seemingly wholesome nature. Knowing their common entry points and taking measures to properly seal and secure them can prevent a world of stress and potential health hazards. Here are a few places in your home you should monitor and protect.

Areas in which different material comes together like window wells, dryer exhaust vents, and water damaged fascia. Animals like bats, rats, mice, and squirrels often gain entry through these points.

Attic gable vents are also prime points of entry. Always check your attic to see if there are any animal droppings. Turn off attic lights to see if there’s any outside light leaking in. Those could turn out to be where the wildlife is coming through. Other vulnerable areas are loose vent screens, holes in the roof, chimneys, gaps in bricks or house structure.

Be sure to periodically check cables for damage. Squirrels like to chew on them and this could be a potential fire hazard. If there are any holes in or around your home that are smaller than a few inches, caulk them or stuff with copper mesh or expandable foam.

Always make sure before sealing any holes that there are no animals inside. If you’re unsure, place a cloth or paper in the suspected area and check back in a few days to see if it’s been moved. If it hasn’t, then go about properly sealing the hole with screening or the appropriate barrier.

Do note that wildlife living in your home can be a potentially dangerous situation. Even more so if it has grown into an infestation. If this is the case, it is best to call the professionals to handle it. They are trained to catch and release wildlife and protect your home from re-entry. 

Posted in: wildlife animal control,wildlife removal