Five Ways that Wildlife in Winter Damage Your Home and Property in Clearwater

Most of us think about rats, mice, and moles when we think of wildlife and pests. But cute, cuddly-looking animals often do just as much damage as their less genetically blessed friends. If your Clearwater, FL home or business has become a playground for the area’s wild animals, the wildlife control experts at World Class Wildlife Removal can help.

Here are five ways that wildlife rodents during the winter can damage your home and property.

1. Your Attic

Your attic, in particular, is a hot spot for raccoons, squirrels, and bats during the winter months. Raccoons are adept at climbing and are found in suburbs and cities. They’re very clever and highly capable of breaking into your home as they search for warmth and food. Bats are one of the most worrisome invaders since they’re known to spread rabies and a potentially fatal disease called Histoplasmosis. Their waste can also damage insulation. Rodents spread disease as well, and their habit of chewing electrical wires creates a fire hazard.

2. Hole-Digging

Groundhogs are known for digging. They don’t just dig holes in yards. They also create extensive burrows and even dig mazes for use as their underground shelter. Moles are equally talented at building subterranean tunnel systems complete with chambers supported by dirt mounds. Raccoons and skunks are more likely to dig into your trash than your yard. Besides leaving trails of garbage wherever they go, these animals sometimes bite when cornered.

3. Chewing

Mice are great at finding a way into tiny openings into a home, especially during the winter months. You would never think that something so tiny can do so much damage. With their sharp teeth, they chew through wires, pipes, wood, cloth, insulation, and more. Their feces stains flooring ruins furniture, and can even spread disease. Mice follow gas and electricity utility lines into your home.

4. Roofs

Squirrels like to stay highly active through winter. Many squirrels mate during winter months too. They look for warm places to raise their young. Squirrels hide their food underground, and can easily access roofs, chimneys, gutters, and vents.

Squirrels stash food when they enter your attic, burrow into insulation, or even establish a nest. Burrowing squirrels chew through roofing, wiring, insulation, and siding. Squirrels can fit into almost any tiny opening and may chew through damaged siding or shingles. It is essential to inspect your roof and attic for damage regularly, repair the damage quickly and effectively. Keep squirrel food, bird seeds, and nuts from accumulating in your yard or in your garage or attic.

5. Structures

Instead of hibernating, skunks enter a hibernation-like state called torpor in winter. To enter torpor, skunks have to fatten up with a thick coat of fat. Skunks like to burrow into structures like your porch or deck attached to your home or property. Once awake, skunks bite or spray if they feel threatened. They get into trash cans to find food. One of the main ways to keep skunks away this winter is to deprive them of digging an easy burrow by using wire screening to block off the area beneath your porch or deck.

What to Do About Wildlife Pests

You may enjoy watching deer graze and birds flit around, but some animals’ habits and biological makeup can endanger your household. The good news is that you’re not helpless when it comes to defending your family and property from wildlife. Try these preventive measures:

• Seal all gaps around your home’s exterior.
• Consider installing new or more effective fencing.
• Store trash in cans or bins with tight-fitting, latching lids.
• Use hanging bird feeders designed to keep squirrels out.
• Don’t leave pet food or water outside for extended periods of time.
• Research which plants attracts and repel different kinds of wildlife and landscape accordingly.
• Keep bushes and trees trimmed away from your home to discourage animals from climbing onto your house.
• Never attempt to remove an animal yourself; call wildlife control specialists trained in safety procedures.

About World Class Wildlife Removal

Healthy, safe, organic, and ultra-effective rodent removal services located in Clearwater serving the wildlife removal needs of Tampa, and the Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Sarasota counties. To request a free inspection, call us at 727.204.8461 or contact us online.