Places Where You May Find Wildlife Hiding on Your Property

It's easy to think of wildlife as a rural problem, but there are plenty of critters in urban and suburban areas as well. No matter where you're located, you may require wildlife removal in Coquitlam to protect your property from expensive damage animals unwittingly deal. Creatures trying to make nests chew through wires, leave droppings and burrow into wood, all issues that can affect your house's integrity and your family's health. Of course, most wildlife is fairly well-hidden until you stumble on a big problem. If you want to catch critters before they settle in, regularly check the following spots around your property.

Birds Build Nests in the Eaves

Birds look for high, sheltered places to build their nests. Unfortunately, roofs and eaves offer the perfect place to lay a few eggs. Small birds such as starlings and sparrows can fit into tight spaces that you may not have considered. For example, if you have a hole in your roof, they can enter the attic or the internal structure of your home. Once you have birds in your walls, you'll need professional help to get them out. While nesting is instinctive, and you may feel bad about evicting innocent birds, keeping your home bird-free is best for everyone. Some birds carry diseases that are dangerous to humans, and piles of droppings are no fun to clean up.

Rodents Hide in Small Spaces

Homeowners have several rodents to contend with:

• Squirrels
• Mice
• Rats

All three have sharp teeth that grow throughout their lives. To keep their teeth from becoming unmanageable, rodents instinctively chew on tough materials. Unfortunately, those materials include wood, metal, wires and drywall. If you have rodents nesting in your house, you risk decimated internal structures. Worst of all, the damage is usually extensive by the time you realize you have pests. Chewed wires can also create a fire hazard. Squirrels usually settle in the attic, where they'll destroy your insulation. Mice and rats typically nest as close to food as possible; the gap between the fridge and wall is a prime location, as well as inside kitchen or pantry cupboards. 

Raccoons Make Their Home in Attics

Raccoons are nocturnal and prefer dark areas, so they're most likely to settle in the following:

• Chimneys
• Basements
• Attics

Of all the wildlife on this list, raccoons are the most difficult to contend with due to their high intelligence and opposable thumbs. They can climb and dig with ease, letting them access points you wouldn't think possible. Raccoons are susceptible to diseases, including rabies, that can be passed to pets and humans. If you find your trash cans raided during the night, make sure to check your house for furry intruders.

Bats Prefer Dark Areas

Bats don't make a lot of fuss, but once they've settled into your home, their feces, called guano, can cause major problems. Depending on where bats nest, their guano can contaminate water, and eat through insulation or stain walls. Bats also gather in colonies, so if you see a few bats around the house, there are probably a lot more hidden in your walls, attic or garage. Despite the pop culture tie to vampires, the one thing you don't have to worry about with a bat infestation is waking up with fang marks. For one, vampire bats make up a very small percentage of the population, and all of them are located in South and Central America. For another, vampire bats generally feed on sleeping livestock. If you encounter a bat near your residence, it most likely consumes fruit or bugs. Once you realize you have a pest problem, you have to act fast. Fortunately, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control can assist with wildlife removal in Coquitlam. To learn more or request our services, contact us online.