Wildlife Exclusion: What you need to know

Do you enjoy keeping your house warm and cozy? Most of us do, unfortunately, wildlife will be drawn to your home for the same reasons you enjoy being in it. Though some of them will seem cute and fuzzy from afar, they can pose a real threat to you, especially if they manage to enter your home!

Here’s what you need to know about wildlife in our local area, and how you can prevent them from wreaking havoc in your home.

Dangers of Wildlife

You may already be familiar with common wildlife like raccoons, squirrels and opossums. But did you know that they carry diseases and bacteria that can cause harm to you, your family, and your pets?

For example, raccoons can spread diseases like rabies and canine distemper. While the raccoon only exhibits signs of rabies during the final week of the disease, they can show signs of the disease at much earlier stages. Their droppings also carry diseases like raccoon roundworm, leptospirosis, and Giardia lamblia.

Many people are also unaware that the ubiquitous squirrel can carry the bubonic plague with them, as well as the tularemia bacteria and leptospirosis, all of which are spread through coming into contact with their feces. Contaminated drinking water that has been infected by the squirrel is also a common way of contraction.

Opossums are also carriers of distemper, rabies and other diseases, though relatively rarer than the first two animals. However, they are often flea-infested, and can readily spread bacteria and diseases via those pesky flea bites.

How to Keep Wildlife Out of Your Home

Look out for any openings or holes that a pest can squeeze through easily. Comb your entire property, starting from the foundation of your house and moving up from there, while watching out for small tunnels or chewed wood.

Any holes you find need to be sealed up with caulk or low-expansion polyurethane foam. Chimneys and flues can be sealed with aluminum flashing or high-temperature caulk. For holes or tears in screens and vents, replace or repair them as necessary.

Pests are attracted to moisture, so it’s important to fix any leaky pipes in walls or under sinks. Ventilate those areas to dry them out, and use a dehumidifier for any other areas that tend to be damp. Make sure any leaks on your roof are also repaired.

Next, it’s important to make your home a lot less attractive to these pests by removing accessible sources of food. Spray your trash cans with ammonia or bleach to deter them, and keep any pet food neatly stored away. Seal any food bins tightly.

Have woodpiles outside your home? Keep them as far away from your house as possible, high off the ground and away from trees.

Lastly, getting professionals to come in and make sure your house is pest-free is an invaluable investment in your peace of mind. They are trained to spot early signs of infestations, while making improvements to any existing safeguards.

How Professionals Can Help Remove Wildlife Safely

It’s important not to try to remove wildlife yourself. Trained wildlife removal professionals can do the job in a safe and humane way. They will be able to identify the animal, recommend a plan of action, trap the animal safely, and relocate it to a suitable environment.

Whether you are already facing a wildlife intrusion or want to prevent one, Dugas Pest Control can help. Contact us today to get started!