The days are getting shorter, the air is turning crisp, and you’re probably pulling out your favorite cozy blankets. You’re preparing for a warm, comfortable winter indoors and so is the local wildlife! As temperatures drop and natural food sources become scarce, your warm, dry home can look like a five-star hotel to mice, squirrels, raccoons, and even bats.
Before you find yourself with an unwelcome tenant scratching in your attic or chewing on your wiring, take a proactive approach. Wildlife-proofing your home this fall is the best way to keep the warmth in and the critters out.
Here is your essential checklist for making your home an impenetrable fortress this winter.
Phase 1: Exterior Inspection and Sealing
A mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime, and a raccoon only needs an opening the size of a grapefruit. Get outside and inspect your home from the foundation to the roof with a keen eye.
Seal All Entry Points
This is the single most important step. Look for cracks and holes, especially:
- Utility Lines: Gaps around pipes, cables, and vents where they enter the house. Fill small gaps with caulk or sturdy materials like steel wool or copper mesh, and use expanding foam or cement for larger areas.
- Foundation: Cracks in the foundation or gaps where the siding meets the foundation.
- Doors and Windows: Replace worn or damaged weather stripping. Make sure door sweeps on exterior doors create a tight seal.
Secure Vents and Chimneys
These are prime access points for birds, bats, and larger mammals like raccoons.
- Chimney: Install a durable, animal-proof chimney cap to prevent nesting.
- Vents: Cover all exterior vents (attic, crawlspace, dryer) with quarter-inch hardware cloth (a sturdy metal mesh), screwing it securely into place.
- Crucial Tip: Before permanently sealing any hole, loosely stuff it with a paper towel or cloth. If it’s pushed out in a day or two, an animal is likely using it, and you’ll need to contact a professional for safe removal before sealing them in.
Prune the Critter Highways
Squirrels and raccoons are excellent climbers, often using nearby trees and shrubs to gain rooftop access.
- Trim Branches: Cut back any tree branches that overhang or are within 6 to 8 feet of your roof, gutters, or siding.
- Shrubbery: Keep shrubs and bushes neatly trimmed and away from the exterior walls of your home to eliminate hiding spots near potential entry points.
Phase 2: Yard & Food Management
If your property provides food and shelter, animals will be drawn to it – and your house is the next logical step.
Eliminate Outdoor Cover
Critters love clutter for nesting and hiding from predators.
- Firewood: Store firewood neatly stacked, off the ground, and at least 20 feet away from your house.
- Debris: Clear away piles of leaves, rock, compost, old lumber, and other yard debris.
- Storage: Keep your garage, shed, and crawlspaces tidy, minimizing loose materials that could be used for nesting.
Secure All Food Sources
An open bag of birdseed or an unsecured trash can is a glowing beacon for foraging animals.
- Garbage: Use heavy-duty trash cans with tight-fitting, locking lids. Store them in a garage or shed if possible.
- Pet Food: Store pet food and birdseed in sealed, airtight, metal or thick plastic containers. Never leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight.
- Grills and Compost: Keep outdoor cooking areas clean. Make sure compost piles are covered and secured, and never add meat scraps.
Phase 3: Interior Prep
Once outside access is controlled, a few indoor precautions can make your home inhospitable to the tiniest invaders.
Tidy Up the Pantry
- Store all dry goods, including cereal, grains, pasta, and even unopened packaged snacks, in sealed glass or heavy-duty plastic containers. Rodents can chew right through cardboard and thin plastic bags.
- Clean up all food crumbs immediately, especially in the kitchen and dining areas.
Declutter Storage Areas
Attics, basements, and closets are often the quietest, warmest spots for pests.
- Replace cardboard storage boxes with sealed plastic bins. Cardboard is easily chewed through and provides ideal nesting material.
- Keep the floor clear of clutter that could serve as a hiding spot for rodents.
Winter is a time for cozy comfort, not sharing your space with uninvited, furry guests. By taking a few preventative steps now, you can safeguard your home from damage, protect your family’s health, and ensure a peaceful, critter-free winter season!