Animal activity doesn’t stay the same year-round. Squirrels might be looking for safe nesting spots in the spring, while opportunistic raccoons might raid your garden in the summer. By fall, birds and other creatures often start hunting for warmer places to ride out the colder months. Learning how to adapt and fine-tune your home protection strategies each season is key to keeping your house free from unwanted guests.

The first step in preventing problems like a squirrel infestation or figuring out what attracts them to your space is prevention. Or, maybe you’re wondering how to prevent squirrels from nesting? Simple steps can make a huge difference when it comes to preventing animals from setting up camp in your home and around your property. Here’s a season-by-season guide with practical strategies to help you keep your home safe all year long.

Spring Strategies: Managing Breeding Season Activity in Durham

Springtime brings increased wildlife movement as animals search for nesting sites to raise their young. Common animals like squirrels, raccoons, and birds are particularly active during this season, seeking shelter in spaces such as attics and chimneys. Your home may seem like an appealing spot to them, providing warmth and protection for their nests.

Animals like squirrels may chew openings into soffits or find small gaps in your roof to create cozy and quiet homes for their young. To prevent a potential infestation, follow these simple prevention tips:

• Inspect and Seal: Regularly inspect your roof vents, soffits, and eaves for any openings or gaps. Seal them properly to prevent wildlife from entering.
• Install Chimney Caps: Install chimney caps to block animals from entering through the chimney.
• Remove Outdoor Clutter: Keep your property free from outdoor clutter like brush piles, fallen branches, and excess vegetation. These can serve as nesting materials and attract wildlife.

By taking these preventative measures, you can protect your home from unwanted wildlife encounters and minimize the risk of infestations. Stay tuned for more seasonal strategies to safeguard your home throughout the year. Your home’s protection is our priority.

Summer Strategies: Keeping Outdoor Spaces Safe

As the warm weather arrives, so does an increase in animal activity in yards and gardens. It’s no surprise that creatures like skunks, raccoons, and squirrels are attracted to these outdoor spaces, seeking food and shelter. However, there are simple steps you can take to make your yard less appealing to wildlife and enjoy a pest-free summer.

Garden raids by animals like squirrels and raccoons can be frustrating. To protect your vegetable garden, consider using fencing to create a barrier that keeps these creatures at bay. This will prevent them from digging up your plants or snacking on your fresh produce.

Overturned trash bins not only create a mess but also attract wildlife looking for an easy meal. Make sure your garbage bins have locking lids to prevent animals from accessing the contents. This will help keep raccoons, squirrels, and other animals from rummaging through your trash.

Food sources like spilled birdseed and outdoor pet food can be irresistible to wildlife. Regularly clean up any spills and ensure that pet food is not left outside unattended. By removing these food sources, you can discourage animals from frequenting your yard and seeking shelter there.

Fall Strategies: Guarding Against Overwintering Wildlife

As the weather gets colder, animals start looking for a warm and safe place to hide. Your home can be a tempting spot for them to nest and survive the winter. Animals like squirrels and raccoons might try to get into your attic, basement, or the space under your deck. These areas are warm and cozy, but they can also cause problems if the animals get in.

When animals get into your home, they can cause damage and make a mess. To prevent this, you need to take some steps to protect your home. Here are a few things you can do:

• Inspect your home’s exterior regularly. Look for any gaps, cracks, or loose siding that animals could use to get in. Seal these openings with the right materials to keep the animals out.
• Clear away any debris, like leaves or branches, that might attract animals and give them a place to hide. Also, make sure to secure any crawlspaces under your home with wire mesh or strong barriers. This will make it harder for animals to get in.
• Trim back tree branches that are close to your home, especially those that hang over the roof. This will make it harder for animals to jump onto your roof and get inside.

By taking these steps, you can protect your home from animals that might try to get in during the winter. Remember, it’s always better to be prepared and take care of your home before problems start. This will help keep your home safe and comfortable for you and your family.

Winter Strategies: Minimizing Shelter and Food Sources

As winter sets in, some animals, like mice and rats, seek shelter and food in our homes. The lack of food outdoors prompts them to adapt by targeting residential properties, looking for warmth and sustenance. These persistent creatures may attempt to burrow under porches or find their way into basements and garages, posing risks beyond being a mere nuisance.

Unwanted wildlife intrusions can result in various risks and damages to your home. They can chew through wires, damage insulation, and create serious fire hazards. Additionally, their presence can lead to contamination, infestations, and structural damage, compromising the safety and comfort of your living environment.

To defend your home against these seasonal invaders, it’s essential to implement preventive measures. Consider implementing strategies to minimize the risk of wildlife infestation during winter. One way to do this is to keep firewood at a safe distance of at least 20 feet from your house, as it can attract rodents seeking shelter.

Organizing attics, basements, and garages can also help eliminate potential hiding spots and nesting opportunities for wildlife. Regularly inspecting your home for damaged insulation and promptly repairing any gaps around windows, doors, and other entry points can prevent easy access for wildlife.

By adopting these preventive measures, you can fortify your home against potential wildlife intrusions and ensure a safe and protected living space for you and your family throughout the winter season.

Why Professional Help Matters

Sometimes, even with our best efforts, wildlife can still find ways into our homes. That’s where professionals like us at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Durham come in. Our team of experts is trained to find and fix problems that might attract wildlife.

Maybe you’re wondering what attracts squirrels or other wildlife? When we inspect your home, we look for hidden spots that wildlife might use to get in. We check every nook and cranny, even the places you might not think to look. Our experts know what to look for, and we can find weaknesses in your home’s defences that you might have missed.

We create a customized plan to keep your home safe from wildlife. Every home is different, so we tailor our plan to fit your specific needs. We might install barriers to keep squirrels from nesting or seal up holes that wildlife could use to get in. Our goal is to keep your home safe and secure all year round.

At Skedaddle, we’re committed to providing the best wildlife protection services. Our inspections and prevention plans give you peace of mind, knowing that your home and family are safe from wildlife. Don’t take chances with your home’s safety – trust us to protect it.

Take Control of Your Home’s Protection Today

Adapting your home protection strategies throughout the year ensures you’re prepared for each season’s challenges. From sealing attic gaps in spring to locking down garbage bins in summer, wildlife or squirrel infestation prevention is the first and most effective line of defence against wildlife intrusions.

If you’re looking for expert advice and services, we’re here to help. Schedule an inspection today and keep your home wildlife-free all year round. Contact us today to request your quote and learn more about our humane, effective services.