Keep the Wildlife Outdoors Where They Belong and Not In Your Home

Dawn

on animal guard, animals, Chimney, cover, exhaust pipes, pests, protect, roof vents, wildlife

2 min read

Spring brings all of the little critters out of the wood work, literally! You will begin to see birds and other small wildlife moving around, starting to build their nests and scour for food sources.  Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and other wildlife may seek shelter in your chimney, attic or under your porch or deck. Some may even enter your home looking for food.

During the spring many food sources are scarce for wildlife because the ground has not completely thawed to allow for their food supplies to start regenerating. This is why many small creatures end up finding their way into your home and what homeowner wants critters from outdoors roaming around their house? I know for sure I do not!

So let’s take a moment to talk about what to do to keep wildlife in the outdoors where they belong.

Check for Wildlife Entry Points

While you’re getting your home and yard ready for a change in the seasons, make sure that you are also taking a moment to inspect it for possible wildlife entry points. These points can be a chimney without a cap or an exhaust pipe for a bathroom or even an uncovered dryer vent exiting the side of your home. Small animals are not picky, they will get in however possible when looking for shelter or food.

Small animals will also look entry through cracks, gaps, and openings in the materials that construct your home. Pay close attention to the home’s foundation, fascia boards, trim around windows, and around the chimney. It does not matter if the entry points are close to the ground or up on the roof, animals will find them. Make sure that you take care of any of these issues that are present as soon as possible by replacing rotted boards or filling gaps with a caulk or proper construction grade filler.

Use an Animal Guard to Cover Non-removable Entry Points

Animal guards are great for covering roof vents, exhaust pipes, dryer vents and more. There are different sizes and styles to choose from. Make sure to purchase an animal guard that is going to fit completely around the vent but will also give it enough room to vent properly. Standard recommendations are that you leave 2 inches between the top of the vent and the top of the animal guard. Most of the animal guards will need to be secured to the roof or siding with screws so to ensure a secure fit make sure to inspect the surrounding materials for rotting.

Inspect Thoroughly before Sealing

Before covering or sealing any potential entry points, make absolutely sure there are no animals already inside. You would not want to spend time correcting the entry point just to have an animal break in back open to get out or back in to their nest.

** A Tip from the Humane Society:  Plug suspect entry points loosely with insulation, paper, or cloth that any animals that may be using the space inside can easily push aside. Leave it there for a few days, check to see if the material has moved. If not, you can seal the opening safely.

If you have any further questions in regards to animal guards or other tips to keep the wildlife out please feel free to give our customer service department a call at 1-866-667-8454. You may also leave any questions that you have in the comments section!