December 9, 2011
Winterizing for Wildlife
Keep your wild neighbors from becoming houseguests
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Installing a chimney cap will prevent animals from making home inside. John Griffin/The HSUS
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Intersecting roof lines are a common entry point for raccoons. John Griffin/The HSUS
As it gets colder, homeowners—and many wild animals—in many regions are preparing to ride out the long winter months.
If you take a little extra care in winterizing your home, you’ll not only save money on your heating bills but also keep your wild neighbors from becoming seasonal houseguests.
Ten Tips
Here are ten tips for preventing wild animals from moving in.
- Inspect! Holes or cracks larger than 1/4 inch around can allow small animals to enter.
- Check for loose siding or holes at the roofline. Hire a professional if you’re unsure what to look for.
- Use a bright light to inspect areas you don’t use often: the attic, basement, crawlways, and closets. Then shut off the lights and look for places where you can see daylight shining in.
- Look for potential entry points behind appliances and anywhere pipes enter the building.
- To make sure no animals are inside before you permanently seal entries, plug holes loosely with insulation, paper, or cloth, and wait a few days—longer if it is particularly cold or wet.
- If the plug has been disturbed, contact a wildlife rehabilitator or visit The HSUS Urban Wildlife Program pages for humane methods to encourage animals to leave.
- If there’s no sign of wildlife, caulk small holes, staple hardware cloth over larger ones, or make permanent repairs. Fill holes around pipes with copper wire mesh, and use expanding foam in cracks and along leaky windows and doors.
- Inspect your chimney to be sure it’s not a home to birds or other animals. Then, install an animal-proof chimney cap.
- Secure trash containers with bungee cords, ropes, or weights. Cover or secure compost piles.
- Trim any branches that overhang your house to limit access for climbing wildlife, and clean up any debris around the foundation. Don’t forget to maintain clean gutters to avoid water problems on the trim board behind them.
Resources
» Find the products to resolve wildlife conflicts.
» If you are located within the D.C. Metro Area, take advantage of our wildlife conflict resolution service. Learn More
» Purchase a copy of Wild Neighbors; the go-to guide for useful, humane solutions to conflicts with wildlife.