Wildlife-Proofing Your Home: A Checklist for Every Season

In Scarborough, we’re lucky to share our beautiful green spaces with a diverse range of wildlife. But while seeing a raccoon ambling through a park is one thing, discovering it has turned your attic into a private den is another entirely. The same goes for squirrels in the walls, skunks under the deck, or birds nesting in your vents.

Wildlife intrusions are more than just a nuisance; they can lead to costly property damage, serious health risks, and endless stress. The most effective way to handle a wildlife problem is to prevent it from ever happening. Proactive wildlife-proofing is an investment in your home’s safety and your peace of mind.¹

This year-round checklist will guide you through the essential tasks for each season, helping you secure your home against unwanted animal guests.

Why Proactive Wildlife-Proofing is Non-Negotiable

Before diving into the seasonal tasks, it’s important to understand what’s at stake. When animals get inside your home, they are not quiet tenants. They can:

• Cause Structural Damage: Rodents and raccoons will chew through electrical wires (a major fire hazard), tear up insulation, gnaw on wooden beams, and destroy ductwork.²
  
• Create Unsanitary Conditions: Animal droppings and urine can seep into ceilings and walls, creating foul odours and hosting dangerous bacteria and parasites.
  
• Introduce Health Risks: Wildlife can carry diseases like rabies, as well as fleas, ticks, and mites that can easily spread to your family and pets.³
  
• Lead to Costly Repairs: The cost of removing animals and repairing the damage they leave behind is almost always significantly higher than the cost of preventative measures.
  

By taking a seasonal approach, you can stay one step ahead and keep your home sealed and secure.

Spring Checklist: Guarding Against New Arrivals

Spring is nesting season. As wildlife look for safe, warm places to raise their young, your home becomes a prime target.

• Inspect Your Vents: Check all exhaust vents from your dryer, kitchen, and bathroom. Ensure the covers are secure and intact. Birds and small rodents often see these as ideal, pre-built nesting spots. Use durable vent covers, not flimsy plastic ones.
  
• Examine the Roofline: Winter ice and snow can take a toll on your roof.⁴ Carefully inspect the soffits, fascia, and shingles for any cracks, rot, or holes. Even a small opening is an invitation for squirrels and bats.
  
• Check Under Decks and Sheds: Skunks and groundhogs love to burrow under elevated structures. Ensure the perimeter of your deck, porch, and shed is sealed with a tough, dig-proof material like galvanized wire mesh.
  
• Be Aware of Baby Animals: If you do find an animal, proceed with caution. It may have babies inside that you cannot see. Attempting to remove a mother animal can lead to her becoming extremely aggressive, or you could end up with orphaned young left inside your walls.
  

Summer Checklist: Managing Peak Activity

Wildlife is most active during the summer, foraging for food and taking advantage of the lush landscape. Your job is to make your property as uninviting as possible.

• Secure All Food Sources: This is the golden rule. Ensure your garbage and compost bins have tight-fitting, animal-proof lids. If you feed pets outdoors, bring the bowls in at night. Clean your barbecue grill after each use to remove food residue.
  
• Trim Overhanging Branches: Trees and large shrubs can act as a natural highway for squirrels and raccoons to get onto your roof.⁵ Trim any branches that are within ten feet of your roofline to cut off this easy access point.
  
• Maintain Your Garden: Harvest ripe fruits and vegetables promptly. Fallen fruit from trees can be a major attractant for a variety of animals.
  
• Seal Gaps in the Foundation: Walk the perimeter of your home and look for any cracks or gaps in the foundation, especially where pipes and utility lines enter. Seal these openings with wire mesh and caulk to block access for mice and other small rodents.
  

Autumn Checklist: Fortifying for the Cold

As temperatures drop, wildlife enters a desperate search for a warm place to survive the winter. Autumn is arguably the most critical season for wildlife-proofing.

• Install a Chimney Cap: An open chimney is a gaping hole in your roof, offering easy access to raccoons, squirrels, and birds.⁶ A professional-grade chimney cap is one of the most important preventative tools you can install.⁷
  
• Conduct a Full Roof Inspection: This is the time for a thorough check. Look for loose flashing, damaged vents, and gaps where roof planes meet. Attics are the number one target for animals seeking shelter. Failing to secure these vulnerabilities is the main reason homeowners require emergency services for raccoons in attic removal, Scarborough residents know all too well.
  
• Secure Window Wells: Install sturdy covers over your basement window wells to prevent small animals from falling in and getting trapped.
  
• Check Weather Stripping: Inspect the seals around your doors and garage doors. Worn-out weather stripping not only lets cold air in but also provides a weak point for mice and rats to chew through.
  

Winter Checklist: Monitoring for Intruders

Even after a thorough autumn prep, you need to remain vigilant. The pressures of winter can make animals desperate.

• Listen for Strange Noises: Winter is often when homeowners first notice an existing problem. Listen for scratching, scurrying, or chirping sounds coming from the attic or walls, especially at night or in the early morning.
  
• Look for Interior Signs: Be on the lookout for droppings, unexplained stains on ceilings, or signs of chewing inside your home.
  
• Keep the Perimeter Clear: Piled-up snow, firewood stacked against the house, or dense shrubbery can provide cover and access for animals to reach vulnerable points. Try to maintain a clear space around your foundation.
  
• Inspect Basements and Crawlspaces: These areas are often overlooked. Regularly check for any signs of activity, as they can be common entry points for rodents.
  

When Prevention Isn’t Enough

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a determined animal finds its way in. If you suspect you have a wildlife intruder, it’s crucial not to attempt a DIY removal. Trapping or sealing an entry point without professional knowledge can lead to trapped, panicked animals causing more damage, or separating a mother from her young.

Your Trusted Partner for Pest Control in Scarborough

Homeowners trust PESTONG Pest and Animal Control Inc. for comprehensive and humane wildlife management. As the premier service for pest control in Scarborough, we don’t just remove the animals; we identify and seal entry points to provide a long-term solution. Our licensed technicians are trained in the safe removal of all local wildlife and are committed to protecting your property while treating every animal with respect. From a full home inspection to guaranteed exclusion work, we are your partners in keeping your home safe and animal-free.

Conclusion: Make Wildlife-Proofing a Year-Round Habit

Protecting your home from wildlife is not a one-time fix but an ongoing commitment. By incorporating this seasonal checklist into your annual home maintenance routine, you can significantly reduce the risk of an invasion.

If you’ve discovered an animal in your home or want a professional inspection to identify vulnerable spots, contact Pestong today.

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