During the colder months of the year, animals need to find shelter to survive the ice, snow, and cold. Unfortunately, your house often makes for the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate before spring and summer arrive. Learn how to protect your home this winter by keeping the wildlife away with the following advice.
Trim Trees and Shrubs Away From the House
Trees and shrubs can be dangerous near your home during heavy storms because the branches can damage the siding or other features. In addition to that, branches or shrubs create a bridge to your roof or windows, creating great access points for animals to enter the house. Prune the shrubs so that they are at least one foot away from your home, and cut down branches that overhang your roof to eliminate these entrances.
Seal Any Access Points to the Home
The most important thing you can do this winter to protect your home from wildlife is to seal away any access points to your home. This includes openings in your roof, windows, chimney, and crawl spaces. Even the smallest holes and gaps in the infrastructure can be great entry points for these animals.
Caulk over any gaps, install a chimney cap, place screens on vents, and seal away any other holes. Doing this will not guarantee a pest-free home, so you must understand what to do if an animal enters your chimney or other areas of the house. Lastly, keep your garage door closed at all times; the warmth will be inviting to the animals and the perfect place to settle down for the winter.
Avoid Leaving Food Out & Close Trash Lids
Do not leave pet food or human food outside for animals. Once they realize you’re feeding them, they might decide to make your home theirs for the winter. Strap down trash lids and avoid throwing out an excessive amount of food at once or overfilling the bin.
Keeping wildlife away from your home this winter is vital for the house’s integrity. These pests can damage the structure, forcing you to spend extra money in the spring for repairs. Wildlife is fun to look at, but it’s a headache to deal with them intruding on your home—ensure you’re protecting it this winter.
