Wild animals know when winter is approaching which signals them to start finding a warm place to stay. Unfortunately for many homeowners, the chimneys, vents, and attics of their houses are often targeted by creatures for this purpose. Investigating the home for such entry points can prevent animal intrusions, residents of Atlanta protect your home from animals this winter by taking this important action.
Sometimes people are unaware of these small openings in their homes until they notice an animal going in or out. Wildlife have a way of scouting out these hidden access points which would otherwise have remained subverted to those living in the home. The best way to address this situation is to inspect the residence from the foundation up to the rooftop, so these openings can be identified and repaired.
Fall is the ideal time of year to do an inspection, and it can be combined with other outdoor work such as trimming tree limbs and cleaning gutters. It is very important to make sure that there are no animals already living inside any of these places before they are sealed up, as they will get trapped, die, and decompose if this happens.
The following items are needed for the inspection; a flashlight, binoculars, a ladder, and a camera to record all places needing repair. Beginning with the foundation, one must be sure to check spots where different types of construction materials meet, where pipes, wires, and cables enter, vents, and window wells. On the roof and siding, one should look for areas that are loose, damaged or deteriorated.
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.
A small gap can be repaired using caulking, expandable foam, or copper mesh, but larger spaces will usually need to be fixed with hardware cloth or permanently restored by a professional. Wire mesh can be effective at keeping creatures such as raccoons and squirrels from re-entering, but a stronger gauge must be used against 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.
Sometimes people are unaware of these small openings in their homes until they notice an animal going in or out. Wildlife have a way of scouting out these hidden access points which would otherwise have remained subverted to those living in the home. The best way to address this situation is to inspect the residence from the foundation up to the rooftop, so these openings can be identified and repaired.
Fall is the ideal time of year to do an inspection, and it can be combined with other outdoor work such as trimming tree limbs and cleaning gutters. It is very important to make sure that there are no animals already living inside any of these places before they are sealed up, as they will get trapped, die, and decompose if this happens.
The following items are needed for the inspection; a flashlight, binoculars, a ladder, and a camera to record all places needing repair. Beginning with the foundation, one must be sure to check spots where different types of construction materials meet, where pipes, wires, and cables enter, vents, and window wells. On the roof and siding, one should look for areas that are loose, damaged or deteriorated.
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.
A small gap can be repaired using caulking, expandable foam, or copper mesh, but larger spaces will usually need to be fixed with hardware cloth or permanently restored by a professional. Wire mesh can be effective at keeping creatures such as raccoons and squirrels from re-entering, but a stronger gauge must be used against 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
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