When the cold weather starts to settle in and there is a frigid bite in the air here in Louisiana, you probably want to head home and snuggle up inside where it is nice and warm. Unfortunately, you are not the only one who wants to do this. Creatures that would typically be more at home outside might decide to become your uninvited guests during the winter months.

This is true of rodents in particular, but all manner of critters can make their way onto your property and into your home, including raccoons, squirrels, and more. To avoid the dangers of a wildlife invasion in your home this winter, keep reading to learn how to keep them away!

Dangers of Wildlife in the Home During the Winter

Winter pests in the home are more than just annoying. There is also the potential for them to be dangerous. Mice, rats, and squirrels can carry various diseases, as can the fleas that rodents carry. Even if the rodent dies, the fleas can continue to live on and cause problems for you and your family. In addition, rodents can cause fires. This is because rats and other rodents often chew on electrical wires. Wild animals can be dangerous when they feel threatened, and they should never be approached. It’s always best to have a professional wildlife control expert assist you.

How to Prevent Winter Wildlife Problems

Having a good understanding of some prevention tips and following through with them will help to keep the wildlife from getting into your home, so you don’t have to deal with the dangers these pests present. The best winter wildlife prevention tips include the following.

1. Look for Holes and Gaps

Rodents can come into your home through holes found around the outside of the house. If you have holes in the attic, holes in the walls, gaps in windows and doors, and other areas that would allow for rodents and other pests to get into your home. Depending on the size of the hole or gap, larger creatures, even snakes, might find their way inside your attic, basement, or walls. Walk around your home, inside and outside, and look for these holes and gaps. Then, make repairs to these areas to eliminate these points of ingress into the home. This can help reduce the risk of pests entering the property. Keep in mind that even tiny gaps could allow for critters of all sorts to get inside.

2. Take Care of Leaf and Woodpiles Properly

During the fall season, you end up outside raking up piles of leaves with the intention of disposing of them. However, these piles of leaves and debris are often left too close to their homes. The piles end up as nesting grounds for rodents, which will then often try to make their way into the home. It is important to keep leaf piles, along with woodpiles, further away from the house to reduce the chance of pests getting into the home. Ideally, the piles will be at least 20’ from the house.

3. Protect Vents and Chimneys

If you have a chimney or vents that are coming into the home, you will want to screen them. This stops animals and other pests from having easy access to your house. If you aren’t sure how to install the screens properly and securely, you can hire someone who can do it for you.

Wildlife Prevention & Control Services in the Winter

Even when you take the right precautions, there is always a chance that various forms of wildlife might end up making their way into your home. It’s always a good idea to speak with a professional pest control company that can come to your home and inspect it to make sure it is safe from pests, and to get rid of any pests that might have already infiltrated your property. Working with the wildlife control team at Dugas can help keep you and your family safe from wildlife problems this winter in your Louisiana home!