Wildlife intrusion in homes and buildings is a common issue for property owners. Animals like squirrels, raccoons, bats, and birds can find small openings and take up residence in your attic, basement, or walls. Understanding the most common entry points and how to seal them is essential to protecting your home and ensuring the safety of both the animals and your family.
1. Roof Vents and Gaps Around Chimneys
Roof vents and gaps around chimneys are one of the most common entry points for animals like bats, birds, and squirrels. These creatures are agile and can squeeze through very small spaces.
- Signs of Entry: Scratching sounds, droppings, or visible nests near roof areas.
- How to Seal: Install metal screens or vent covers designed for wildlife exclusion. Chimney caps can also be installed to prevent entry while still allowing proper ventilation.
2. Attic Vents and Eaves
Attics are ideal nesting spots for animals because they are quiet, warm, and dry. Birds, squirrels, and raccoons often enter through gaps in attic vents or poorly sealed eaves.
- Signs of Entry: Noises from above, especially in early morning or late evening, and the presence of nesting material.
- How to Seal: Use hardware cloth, which is a wire mesh, or metal flashing to cover any gaps or vents. Ensure that soffit vents are intact and free of damage.
3. Roof Edges and Fascia Boards
The edges of your roof, particularly where the fascia board meets the roofline, can become entry points if there are any gaps or signs of rotting wood. Raccoons are notorious for prying open loose fascia boards to gain access.
- Signs of Entry: Damage to fascia boards, visible claw marks, or chewed wood.
- How to Seal: Repair any rotting or damaged fascia boards and reinforce them with metal flashing. You can also apply silicone caulk to seal smaller gaps.
4. Gaps Under Doors and Around Windows
Small animals, like mice and rats, can squeeze through incredibly tight spaces, making any gap under a door or around a window an open invitation.
- Signs of Entry: Gnawed door or window frames, droppings near entryways, or small openings.
- How to Seal: Install weather stripping on doors and windows. Use steel wool to plug small gaps, as animals like mice find it difficult to chew through. For larger openings, apply a more permanent seal with caulk or expanding foam.
5. Openings in Siding and Foundation
Holes or cracks in the siding or foundation of your home are prime entry points for various animals, including rats and insects. Over time, gaps may form due to settling or wear, providing an easy way in.
- Signs of Entry: Holes in siding, foundation cracks, or the presence of burrowing animals near your home’s base.
- How to Seal: Fill cracks in your foundation with caulk or concrete patches. For gaps in the siding, repair or replace damaged panels, and use sealant to close up any openings.
6. Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged or damaged gutters can attract animals seeking water or shelter. Birds and squirrels may use gutters to access the roof or find ways to get inside the attic.
- Signs of Entry: Nesting materials in gutters or downspouts and animals using gutters as a highway to the roof.
- How to Seal: Regularly clean your gutters and install gutter guards to prevent animals from nesting. Ensure downspouts are firmly attached and direct water away from your home to prevent moisture damage, which could weaken your structure.
7. Vents Leading to Crawl Spaces or Basements
Crawl spaces and basements are often out of sight, making them a perfect hiding place for wildlife. Raccoons, skunks, and even snakes may use vents or cracks in these areas to access your home.
- Signs of Entry: Foul smells, droppings, or disturbed insulation in crawl spaces.
- How to Seal: Install vent covers or heavy-duty mesh to cover crawl space vents. Use expanding foam or caulk to seal smaller gaps or holes in the foundation.
Wildlife entering your home can cause damage, spread disease, and create unsafe living conditions. By regularly inspecting these common entry points and properly sealing them, you can prevent animals from getting inside. Always use humane exclusion techniques and consult professionals like Wildlife X Team® if you're unsure how to proceed or if animals have already made their way in. Proper prevention and maintenance are key to keeping your home wildlife-free year-round. Schedule Wildlife Removal Service today or Call Us at 1.855.WILDLIFE.