Three Easy Tricks To Keep Problematic Wildlife Away From Your Hartford Property

December 30, 2020

In: Wildlife

There are a number of things that make Hartford a great place to live. Unfortunately, the same factors that make it such an appealing place for people also make it appealing for the wildlife that live in the surrounding areas.

Wildlife threats never stop around Hartford, so in this blog, the professionals at American Pest Solutions are going to take a deep dive into the many types of wildlife that call Hartford home, and detail three quick yet effective ways you can keep them off your property.

Wildlife in Hartford

Winter is the time of reduced outdoor activity for most of us, including our wild animal friends. In Hartford, the three primary wildlife species invading homes are:

• Racoons
• Squirrels
• Skunks

Each of these critters either hibernate or significantly reduce their bodily activity during the colder months of the year, relying on stored food, either buried seeds and nuts or energy stored in their bodies, in order to survive. Like all pests, these animals are ultimately looking for food, water, and a warm place to live. Unfortunately, your home provides all three in spades, which makes it an appealing place to invade, especially in winter when resources become scarce.

In the wild, animals need a safe secure, warm, and dry as possible location to rest or hibernate, and along with locating food, finding their winter home is a top priority for them and if they have a choice between an outside burrow or a safe warm dry indoor hideaway, inside wins every time. Winter leads animals into our homes and our workspaces as their preferred winter domicile.

When wildlife invades, trouble follows. Racoons, squirrels, and skunks all transmit a number of diseases to humans, putting your family and pets at risk should they get into your home. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to prevent them. They are as follows:

    1.Know the Wildlife Invasion Routes
 
When you are dealing with a rodent invasion, you probably asked yourself where do they come from? The answer is from the great out of doors, where they naturally occur and should stay. They get into your home any way they can, and the ways are endless!

Any opening on the exterior of the home large enough to allow them access to your warm dry home is all they need. Something as small around as a quarter is more than large enough for a house mouse and all its family including cousins, aunts, uncles, and sometimes just friends of the family to stop in for a winter long visit. Gaps where weather stripping has deteriorated under doors, around vents and air conditioners are inviting. Even temporary access will do, like leaving the garage or porch doors open while away.
 
    2.Wildlife Prevention Steps

Now that you know how they’re getting inside, it’s time to start taking steps to stop them before they become a problem. Here are some effective ways to lower your risk for wildlife infestations around your home:

• Keep the grass cut short
• Keep your lawn free of any trash or debris wildlife could use as a hiding spot
• Install sweeps on your exterior-facing doors
• Install screens on exterior doors and windows, and ensure they are free of any holes
• Install caps on your chimney to stop squirrels from getting inside
• Seal any holes or gaps in your home’s walls and siding
• Cut back the treeline so that limbs are at least 6-8 feet away from the exterior of the home
• Store exterior garbage in sealed containers that pests can’t get into

    3.Hire a Professional Wildlife Removal Specialist
 
Ultimately, when it comes to wildlife in Hartford, the only solution is to contact a professional for help. Wildlife problems are difficult and even dangerous to handle on your own, so your best bet is always to call a professional for help when they threaten your home. If you are worried about an existing problem with pests or want to pest proof your home contact American Pest Solutions immediately.