6 Things Everyone Should Do When Moving Into a New House

There is nothing worse than moving into a new home and finding out that someone has already claimed your new dwelling. No, we are not talking about squatters, well maybe we are! Many different kinds of wildlife can claim an empty home for their own and you may very well move in to find out that you are not alone. Learn how to search for such critters as you are moving in so that you can get rid of pests before they do damage to your personal items, your new home or cause health hazards for yourself and other family members.

                                        

Inspect Exterior Walls/Roof/Foundation

To get started, you will need to conduct an exterior inspection of the property. This will include the exterior walls, roof and foundation. In each area, you are inspecting for any openings or weaknesses. Pest control services will tell you that pests commonly use these areas to gain entry to the home. From squirrels to raccoons and even skunks, you may find that your home is taken over and infested in these areas. Take a walk around the property looking for any areas where such creatures could gain entry. Add screening to block any animals from gaining access to any weak points.

Inspect Attic for Signs of Wildlife Activity

The attic is an easy space for many creatures to call home. Wildlife control experts are often called out to homes due to noises in the attic. Raccoons commonly use soffits and venting to gain entry into the attic and make a den. Squirrels do the same and bats can also use their area as a place to call home. You want to inspect your new home’s attic space to look for any wiring that appears chewed up, droppings from animals or insulation damage. Any of these signs mean that some type of creature is living in this space.

Inspect Basement for Mouse Activity

Basements are a common area for mice to call home. Inspect your new home basement and look for chewed wiring, openings with grease markings or tiny mouse droppings. You may find that your basement is a breeding ground for mice and wildlife control will need to be contacted.

Check Garage for Mouse Activity

Any garage area should also be checked for critters, with mice commonly using this area as a home base. The garage is a nice location for mice as humans rarely use the garage expect to leave and arrive home. The garage will be filled with boxes and hidey holes that mice can use for bedding areas. Search for signs of mice to be sure your home is pest free.

Check Windows and Doors for Proper Sealing

Windows and doors need to be properly sealed so creatures cannot gain entry. Check the home for any drafts in these areas and seal as needed to block any entry points.

Trim Back Vegetation and Landscaping

Large bushes and trees near the home can give creature’s access to your rooftop and attic space. Take time to trim back any vegetation and landscaping to avoid giving creature’s access to this area of your home.

Find out more about wildlife control by contacting the experts at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.

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Bats can still spread rabies without an obvious bite

Bats play a vital role in the ecosystem of the world, eating such bugs as mosquitoes, helping to keep the population down. However, bats are also carriers of several diseases that can affect the health of humans, including rabies. It is important for home owners to be able to recognize when bats are near and how to stay safe from disease such as rabies.

Contracting Rabies

Rabies is a disease that is carried by several creatures including bats. The most common exposure method to rabies is by a bite from a rabid animal. However, what many do not know is that rabies can also be transmitted when the rabid animal’s saliva comes in contact with a human via mouth, eyes, nose or wound.

For example, you may come in contact with a bat that has rabies and never be bitten but the saliva of the bat comes into contact with a cut or scrape. This can lead to you becoming infected. When an individual is exposed to the rabies virus, a vaccine must be administered immediately. This vaccine is known as post-exposure prophylaxis which will help to prevent infection in the body.

After infection, symptoms will begin to take place and in most cases the end result is death. As many as 30,000 individuals in the United States are given the vaccine due to potentially being exposed to the rabies virus including exposure to bats.

Solving a Bat Problem

Because of the threat of rabies within bats, it is important to take care of any bats in the home as soon as a problem is realized. You should get rid of bats as soon as possible to avoid an issue with rabies in bats. You may hear noises at night in the walls or attic space. This can be a sure sign that you have bats in your home. Take a look outside. Do you see bats flying about? If so, try to determine where they are entering your home.

In most cases, bats will enter in the attic space via small holes, vents or openings in the roof line. Bats are small creatures and can contort their body into weird positions to be able to fit inside your home. A wildlife expert with experience in bat removal will be able to assist you with finding out the weak points of your home and removing the bats in a timely manner.

An expert in bat removal knows the right method in which to capture the bat. A gloved hand, plastic container or net will work best and is not something that the average person is able to do. The professional will also be able to assist you with any cleanup needs in the area. Bat feces is also a health hazard that needs to be cleaned in the right manner. Consult with professional wildlife removal experts when you have bats in the home to see removal and cleanup take place in the best way possible.

Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today to learn more about bat removal or to schedule an appointment for service.

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How to Evict Your Raccoon Roommates

Raccoons are never welcome in the home but many times, the creatures find a way to become roommates with you and your family. You may have no idea that raccoons are actually living in your home until you see one or hear noises coming from the attic space. Raccoons commonly call attics home and raccoon removal services are essential to removing the creature and preventing them from entering your home once again. Learn just what to do to evict the unwanted roommate so you can enjoy your home pest free.

Exterior Inspection

To get started, an exterior inspection will need to be conducted. This can be done by a raccoon removal specialist or yourself. Take a look along the roofline and see if you can determine where the creature might be entering. Raccoons are very strong and intelligent and gain access to the attic space via soffits, siding and vent systems. Clues are always left behind so you can see the entry point in which they are gaining access to your home. You may be able to see such clues from the ground or may need to climb on to the roof for a close-up inspection.

Stopping Entry

Once a removal specialist has examined the exterior of the home, a plan will be put in place. You will be given a written estimate so that you can see how much it costs to remove the critter and what will take place. Technicians will start by examining the actual attic for raccoon babies. Babies will be removed and placed in a container for safe keeping. The baby box will be placed near the entry and exit point of the mom so she will be able to come out and then be removed to another area, far away from your home.

The technician will then inspect your attic for any damages and make recommendations as to what might need to be done from clearing out debris to cleaning up damage such as chewed wood boards or feces.

Once all raccoons have been removed from the home, the technician will then get to work securing the entry points. Grating is added to the area to keep critters such as raccoons from entering once again. Deodorization is a key component as well since raccoons leave behind a scent that can attract more raccoons. By deodorizing the area, you will not have the same problem again.

Sometimes a one way door is used to see the adult raccoons removed from the home. If this is used, the technician will return to your home once the raccoon has exited the attic space. The door will be removed and grating put in place to ensure critters cannot gain access once again.

To learn more about raccoon removal or how to prevent raccoons from entering the home, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. The wildlife experts are ready to assist you with all pest removal needs in a safe and humane way. Learn more about all different types of pests by visiting their website for more information.

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