Benefits Of Wildlife Proofing Your Home

September 10, 2020

The winter season has an abundance of wonderful features, from astounding snowy landscapes to heartwarming holiday festivities. However, one downside you cannot deny is the frigid cold. Tennessee temperatures drop to freezing levels during the winter months, reaching average lows of 22°F to 33°F. Outside of snow angels and ice skating, taking advantage of your home’s protection from the rain, sleet, and snow becomes all the more attractive.

Unfortunately, you and your guests are not the only ones looking for warmth and comfort. Wild animals of many shapes, and sizes, and seek to take over your house and claim its pleasantries for themselves. Every winter, rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes in the United States. A dozing squirrel underneath your bedroom pillow or a bat on your shower floor is not quite the surprise holiday gift homeowners are looking for.

Though invasions can happen year-round, late fall is the best time for animal-proofing in anticipation of the incoming need for shelter. Neglecting to account for intruding animals often results in expensive repairs and other hazardous consequences. As such, it is vital to invest in adequate wildlife proofing measures for the winter season before you cozy up to the fireplace with a soothing cup of hot chocolate in hand.

Why Should You Wildlife Proof Your Property?

Maybe you like the idea of lending your home to animals in need. After all, small and fuzzy rodents can undoubtedly be cute. However, make no mistake; doing so can be dangerous to your home’s integrity. Pipes, chimneys, ducts, and vents are among the most popular spots for traversing animals. By obstructing these areas, critters can prevent essential systems from working properly, causing costly malfunctions. Furthermore, dead animals are often odorous and encourage insect infestations.

Many wild animals are active chewers and cause substantial damage to insulation and electrical wiring. Such complications are often expensive to repair. For example, insulation replacements cost anywhere from $875 to $1,900. Moreover, studies estimate that rodents are the actual cause of 25 percent of fires with unknown origins. To prevent the costly and time-consuming consequences of home invasions, hire a professional who is knowledgeable about the fauna in the area. Wildlife Prevention & Repair knows the wildlife in Jackson, and the surrounding areas, and how to prevent them from entering your home.

While a comprehensive approach is the best way to prevent complications from intruding wildlife, there are several specific species that you should be on the lookout for. Eighty percent of animal break-ins are carried out by three mischievous rodents: mice, rats, and squirrels. These thieves love to hide in attics and ransack your food supplies. Like many pests, their presence poses a severe health concern. Their urine and droppings contain harmful bacteria and sometimes parasites. They also harbor dangerous diseases, such as rabies, salmonella, and even, on rare occasions, the bubonic plague. Among the more surprising visitors are snakes looking for a place to hibernate.

Wildlife proofing your home serves a dual purpose. Not only does it keep wild creatures at bay, but it also prevents heat from escaping. Heating your home in the winter can take up to three times more electricity than cooling it in the summer, and holding on to heat is vital for saving on energy costs. For financial and safety reasons alike, do not underestimate the adverse side effects of having wildlife in your home.

Hire An Expert: Prevention Before Intervention

Animals can enter your home by methods unseen by an untrained eye. Many wild animals can squeeze through openings much smaller than you would expect. For instance, raccoons can fit through anything the size of a grapefruit, and mice need only a crack as narrow as a pencil’s diameter. To keep your home safe from wild intruders, the Humane Society recommends house assessment several times a year. At Wildlife Prevention & Repair, no issue goes unnoticed. Our experts look at your home through a wildlife proofing lens, analyzing and deducing potential problem areas while also providing practical solutions. Call us today to start the winter season off right, keeping your home cozy and wildlife free with our prevention services. Now should that bump in the night come in the middle of the night, we offer 24-hour emergency service.