Cold Weather Pest Removal Atlanta, GA: Keeping Wildlife Outside
As the coldest temperatures of the year set in, small mammals and wildlife are looking for a warm spot to settle into. Although the colder months may seem relatively pest-free outdoors, some creatures find their way into people’s homes, especially their attics and basements.
Many common pests are searching for the perfect spot to nest for the winter. Unfortunately, that could be your home, and these unwanted critters can do more damage than you may realize.
That’s why it’s so important to protect your home from these winter invaders. We can help!
Here’s a guide to cold weather pest removal.
Signs of Unwanted Wildlife
You want to be aware of how to spot a wildlife invasion in or around your home or property. Here are a few telltale signs to be on the lookout for.
- Chirping or squeaking noises coming from your attic, vents, or walls
- Scratching sounds coming from the attic or walls
- Garbage cans or bags that have been invaded
- Chewing or gnawing marks on wood, wire, or cardboard
- A bad smell that lingers even after cleaning the space
- Scat (animal poop)
When the cold season arrives, the wildlife in your area will be looking for a warm shelter, water, and food. Your home is the perfect spot for unwanted critters to hide out from the cold.
Without you even realizing it, they can take up residence in an attic, crawlspace, chimney, or basement for some warmth and protection from predators.
Although some of these creatures may seem harmless, they can actually cause a variety of serious problems for your home, family, and pets. It’s a good idea to know about the wildlife in Georgia and how they might invade your home.
Make sure these unwanted critters don’t camp out in your home. Contact a reputable cold weather pest removal service for a home inspection.
House Mice
House mice are common throughout the United States. They are frequent invaders of homes and commercial spaces. In fact, millions of homes in the U.S. are infested with these unwanted rodents.
They like to nest in dark, secluded spots like basements and storage rooms. Small mice are surprisingly destructive. They can easily chew through drywall and wiring in your home, which can lead to an electrical fire.
They carry bacteria and disease everywhere they roam. They will even make trips to your kitchen searching for food while you and your family are asleep.
They can contaminate food and spread salmonella through their feces. This can lead to serious illness and discomfort for you and your family.
Getting rid of mice on your own isn’t as easy as you may think. Calling in a professional wildlife removal service can help you rid your home or building of these annoying pests.
Rats
Nothing is quite as frightening as seeing rats in your home. During the winter or harsh weather conditions, rats are searching for a warm, secure place to nest. It’s a survival strategy, and they will invade your home without your knowledge.
They love to nest in basements, debris piles, and other undisturbed materials and areas. They are extremely destructive and can gnaw through almost anything, including plumbing, drywall, siding, wiring, and more.
They can cause serious structural damage to your home or building. They carry diseases, including Salmonellosis, Trichinosis, cowpox virus, rat-bite fever, and others. Rats and mice harbor disease-carrying parasites like lice, fleas, and ticks.
No one wants these unwanted pests, but they could be lurking without your knowledge. If you think you could have a rat problem, it’s important to call professional pest control services right away.
Squirrels
Squirrels are common in Georgia. There are literally millions of them running around.
You may not mind seeing them scurrying around your property, but it’s a different story when they invade your home. They love to nest in attics and basements.
They hoard acorns and bring them indoors to store for the winter months. They may look cute and innocent, but they carry bacteria, disease, and other pathogens like other types of rodents do.
Squirrels can chew through household materials, including wiring, damaging your home. This can leave you with a mess and unexpected repair bills.
There are a variety of squirrels that can create nuisance problems, from red squirrels to flying squirrels to gray squirrels. The gray squirrel is the most common.
They love to invade attics in the winter and late summer so the females can give birth to their bi-annual litter of young. You don’t want this occurring in your home. Enlist the help of wildlife removal specialists to eliminate this possibility.
Dead Animal Removal
A dead animal in your home can attract all types of vermin and other nuisance animals looking for a meal. The smell of a dead animal in your home can be overwhelming too.
When an animal dies on your property, you can try to remove it yourself or you can call in professional removal services to deal with it. They know how to dispose of dead animals the proper way.
When an animal dies within the architecture of your home such as within your walls or cabinetry, it can be a tricky removal process. The process may include removing drywall or cutting into surfaces to get to the dead animal.
In some cases, animals make their way into ductwork or your HVAC system and die there. This sometimes requires coordinating with an HVAC technician to get the job done.
Professional wildlife removal services can handle all of these issues. They will remove the animal from your property and sanitize and decontaminate the area to eliminate any foul odors.
Preventing a Winter Invasion
If you’re hoping to avoid a winter pest invasion, prevention is key. There are things you can do to control these pesky home invaders with some wildlife prevention tips.
Inspect Your Chimney
Critters love chimneys. It’s a great hiding place and an easy avenue into your home. To protect your home, make sure you have a grated screen without holes.
Check the area above the flue for debris, leaves, or animal droppings. Make sure your chimney is secure for the winter season.
Inspect the Roof and Siding
Tiny cracks or openings in your roof or siding provide easy access to your attic or home. Be sure to inspect the full exterior of your roof, checking the intersections and siding.
You want to inspect the flashing seams and ensure the siding isn’t pulling away or warping. Check around the exhaust openings and look for loose vent screens too.
Inspect Foundations
Small cracks, holes, or open pipes within the foundation provide an easy way for wildlife to enter your home. A foundation inspection can help you identify problems and seal any openings to prevent infestations. Any area larger than 1/2″ can be a potential wildlife entry point.
Inspect the Attic
Critters love to hang out in attics. Use a flashlight or headlamp to carefully inspect your attic. Look for openings and damaged or chewed wood. Additionally look for trails or tunneling through your insulation, as well as the signs of any droppings left behind by the invading critters.
Secure Trashcans
Your trashcans are a feasting area for pests. Make sure your trashcans have secure lids. Avoid overfilling them and clean the cans regularly to minimize smells and deter animals.
Maintain Landscaping
Limbs and branches provide a gateway into your home for squirrels and other pests. Keep your trees and shrubbery trimmed and away from your home.
Be sure to cut or trim branches that touch or hang over the roof of your home as well.
Clean Up Food
Leaving food outside your home will only attract unwanted wildlife. Avoid leaving dog and cat food outside. Don’t throw food scraps into the yard or pour out excess grease.
Clean up fallen fruit and spilled birdseed. If you have a garden, choose fencing that’s designed to keep wildlife out.
Wildlife control is a process that needs your consideration and attention all year, especially during the winter months. Many people appreciate the beauty of nature but don’t fully realize the destruction wildlife can cause to their homes and properties.
You can’t prevent all wildlife invasions, but you can do your part to protect your home as much as possible. If you’re concerned you may have an unwanted animal in your home or want your home inspected for possible invaders, call a professional wildlife removal service for help.
The Benefit of Cold Weather Pest Removal in Atlanta
As the warm weather wanes and it gets chilly outside, don’t forget the possibility of pests invading your home. The temperature drop sends them looking for a warm spot, so it’s important to look for signs of unwanted winter guests.
The last thing you want is an unwelcome house guest scurrying across your floor or nesting in your basement or attic. The good news is you don’t have to handle the problem alone.
If you’re searching for emergency pest control or animal removal in the Atlanta area, Perimeter Wildlife has you covered. We are available 24/7 at 770-369-7713 for your emergency pest control needs.
Don’t underestimate the value of cold weather pest removal. Contact Perimeter Wildlife today to schedule an inspection of your home and property.
