How To Safeguard Your Home From Wildlife While You Are Away

Going away on vacation, or even just away for the day, comes with its own set of stressors. The last thing anyone wants to worry about is wildlife wreaking havoc on their home. Whether you’ve got rats nibbling away at your garden, raccoons scattering your trash, or bats hanging around in the chimney, we have five expert-approved ways to safeguard your home from wildlife while you are away. 

Tips for Protecting Your Empty Home from Wildlife

• Lock Away The Buffet

  The smell of rotting food in your trash can is practically an invitation to dinner for a hungry, scavenging critter. If you keep trash cans outside your home, make sure they are securely shut and can’t easily be knocked over. To deter some of the more persistent creatures, like raccoons, you may need a little extra trash can security. Placing rocks, weights, or lid locks on your trashcan should be a hefty enough obstacle to keep thieving paws out, or you could try storing them inside your garage while you’re away.

• De-Clutter Your Yard

  If critters are hanging around your home, then they probably have plenty of places to nest. Wood and brush piles, debris, or overgrown shrubbery in your yard offer animals, particularly rats and mice, a comfy place to take cover. Removing safe harbors like these, will leave animals feeling exposed and deter them from lounging around on your lawn.

• Fence-Off Watering Holes and Gardens

  A fish pond can double as a snack bar to a raccoon. Raccoons love to eat aquatic creatures like fish, so it’s not uncommon for them to visit yard ponds looking for a meal. The best option to keep wild visitors at bay is to install an electric fence around your pond. Gardens can also attract all sorts of animals into your yard. Fence off your gardens to prevent four-legged thieves from sneaking in and harvesting your crops. Also, regularly pick up fruits and veggies that fall on the ground as they may attract hungry animals.

• Cover Passageways Into Your Home 

  If there are holes or gaps that lead into your home, animals are sure to find them. Creatures like rats, squirrels, and raccoons are expert climbers and can squeeze through openings much smaller than their size. Fill smaller spaces with caulk and cover larger holes with chicken wire. Holes that need to remain open like chimneys or gutters should be covered with a chimney grate or gutter guards. While you’re inspecting your home for entryways, trim back any tree branches that extend onto your roof to make your home less accessible. 
  

• Enlist the Services of Professional Wildlife Removal Experts

  If you notice wild animals on your property, it’s only a matter of time until they decide to break inside your home. Don’t wait for them to get such an idea. Instead, be proactive and call the professional wildlife removal experts at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth to solve your growing wildlife problem before it turns into an infestation. 

Safeguard Your Property from Wildlife Invasion With Critter Control®

The wildlife removal experts at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth specialize in humane and eco-friendly methods of repelling and trapping animals. Our licensed, insured, and trained specialists are experienced and equipped to effectively handle all of your wildlife removal and prevention needs. To schedule a home inspection and receive a free estimate for our services, give us a call today at 817-222-1101.