DIY Tips to Prevent Wildlife from Invading your Home

Wildlife infestation is a common problem for many homeowners and commercial establishments as well. Infestation brings a lot of destruction, whether it’s caused by skunks, raccoons, squirrels, mice or rats, bats and birds.

While wildlife infestation can be troublesome to property owners, we need to understand what drives their behaviour in order to stop them. It is, therefore, important as a homeowner to recognize that urban wildlife need shelter to survive so taking proper measures to make your property seem less habitable and accessible for them is the place to start.

It is better and easier to keep animals away than dealing with an infestation. The process of sealing your house against these infestations is called exclusion.

The main objective of exclusion is to prevent these wildlife from entering or gaining access to your home, be it your roof, foundation, or walls. Here are some things you may want to check and do to perform an effective exclusion:

1. Trees and other plants can be used to gain access onto your roof, these branches should be cut back to make it more difficult and impossible for these innovative creatures.
2. Cover window wells with wire mesh that have openings small enough to prevent skunks from falling into them. Commercial grates and plastic covers are also great options.
3. Cover your chimneys as well, or make sure they have a cap. A cheaper alternative to commercial caps would be mesh hardware cloth.
4. Check your house for possible entryways. Seal these away with a sturdy and hard material secured tightly so they cannot be used to enter your home.
5. With your fences, you can bury a wire mesh under it about a foot under because wildlife that are experts in digging will have a lesser chance of entering your yard.
6. Check your roof for soft spots or holes. Repair these and make sure to check it regularly as these are the most common means of access to your attic.
7. Avoid attractants as much as possible. Try not to feed your pets outside and make sure your garbage bins are secured and aren’t easily toppled over. One of the most destructive urban wildlife species are raccoons, which are experts in opening your garbage cans. Raccoon removal can be quite a pain, so it’s better to prevent them from seeing your property as a source of food and a place to have their young.

A protected home feels a lot safer to live in. Don’t wait for the first infestation before you make a move. Whether it’s a bird, bat, skunk, rat or raccoon removal, it requires a lot of knowledge and effort to do, not to mention the risks you may be getting into. Prevention is important so don’t hesitate to get started. Sometimes you just need extra help and don’t have the time or resources to do the job and that’s what the professionals from Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control can provide.

Mice Infestation When To Call Pest Control

It is never too late to make things right! Unfortunately, we cannot say the same thing in the case of a mice infestation, because the longer you wait the greater the problem becomes and the harder it is to tackle. In fact, the problem grows exponentially. Believe it or not, mice breed all year round and a female mouse is capable of reproducing around 10 litters in one year. You wouldn’t want them all growing up in your house, would you? So you better act fast!

Knowing, the tell-tale signs of a mouse infestation, will help you prevent any problems and save a lot of time, effort and money in dealing with a huge colony of mice. The earlier the problem is dealt with, the easier it is and less damage needs to be repaired.

So, what are the very first signs of mice infestation?

• If you find gnawed plastic or chewed furniture around your house, be warned! Mice have the habit of gnawing because their teeth constantly grow and they need to keep them sharpened – and will do so at the cost of your precious belongings. Look for scratch like marks at the foot of your furniture, doors or things that are made out of cardboard or wood. Check your cupboard, curtains and carpets for any signs of chewing.

• Small dirty tracks across the floor of your house, especially the kitchen floor, or at the base of the walls most likely mean that these rodents are going in and out of your house because they have found their food source. Mice have poor eyesight so they tend to memorize their tracks and rarely stray. So, if you look carefully, you should be able to point out a faint oiled track along the walls.

• Look for rodent droppings in the corner or any possible place that can prove as a good hiding place for mice. Rodent droppings are like a news flash that shouldn’t be very hard to miss and you would probably find them clustered near some corner. It should give you a fair idea of where to start tracking these little beasts.

• You may even find chewed up materials around your house that are the result of gnawed wood, cardboard or cloth. Mice use these waste products to line their nests and keep them cozy.

• The Stink. Mice are creatures of habit and they will usually use the same area to look for food or same route to move around in the house and back to their home. They build their nests together that can grow up to be a large colony which will give out strong odour that is very hard to miss.

• If in the middle of a night, you hear scratching noises, it most likely means you have a major mice infestation issue. It's time you called a local animal control company.

If you do spot a mouse in your house during the day, it's time got in touch with pest control professionals who can help immediately. This is so important because mice are creatures of the night (not strictly nocturnal). So, spotting them in the morning means they have made your house their home and are really comfortable staying there.

It is recommended that contact local Animal Control professionals to help with pest control. It is important to call them the moment you suspect a mice infestation in your home. Don’t let mice eat your house away. The earlier the detection, the faster the solution.

Rodent-Proofing Tips

Nobody wants their home invaded by rodents or any other pests. Having your house occupied by these four-legged creatures can be an absolute nightmare.  What if you notice a mouse roaming around from one corner of the room to the other? Well this is the right time for you to look into some options to permanently remove these rodents. There are some natural and DIY fool-proof ways to get rid of these pests but for effective mice removal from your home you can always call a humane wildlife control company for complete peace of mind.

There are two sanitation methods to keep the rodents from invading your property - outdoor sanitation and indoor sanitation.

OUTDOOR SANITATION:

• First make sure that the exterior walls of your home don’t have any cracks or holes. Keep any holes where utilities or cables run into the house  secure so that the rodents won’t be able to enter through small gaps. Use steel wool or copper mesh to fill in the gaps because rodents will have a hard time chewing this.
• Thoroughly check all doors, windows and frames. Immediately replace any weather stripping without a tight seal. If there are any broken window panes,  replace them right away.
• If you have large trees beside your home, check whether any branches touch or hang over the house.  If you locate any immediately cut the branches as they are often used by the rodents to enter your home. It is best to keep a gap of at least 6 inches between your house and any trees close by.
• Keep your lawn trimmed. Large grasses and foliage are a safe breeding ground for the rodents. It is important to especially keep dense foliage away from the entrance of your house.
• Check whether there is any pipe leakage or clogged drains. If there is any possibility of moisture accumulating in any part of the home, make sure to have it repaired and the area cleaned.
• If you like to feed birds, make sure there is no trace of grain or seed on the ground. Rodents are always on the hunt for food and  if you leave the area unclean, chances are there that rodents will keep coming back and stay.

All the above points are related to outdoor techniques. These will save time and energy from a situation involving mice removal from your home.

On the other hand, there are some tricks and techniques to implement for the inside of your house.
INDOOR SANITATION:

1. Rodents generally make their homes in cluttered places like the basement or attic. These areas make the perfect breeding ground and if you don’t want to get into a situation where these rodents take over your home, then you must keep these places organized and clean.
2. Keep the areas under your kitchen cabinet, refrigerators and dishwashers clean. Make sure that all food is sealed as the smell of the food can attract rodents. If you have a pet, keep their food sealed in a container and the bowls clear.
3. Make sure to keep floors clean of all leftover food particles.
4. Keep the garage secure.
5. There are various oils like peppermint or clove oil which are some natural ways for mice removal from the home. Dab a cotton ball in any of these oils and leave it on the area where the rodents live. You can also keep a peppermint plant in your home.
6. Spray pepper spray, chemical, bleaching powder and other chemicals meant for mice removal.

If these tips don’t work and the situation spirals out of control it is recommended to hire an animal control company immediately before it is too late. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control offers a wide variety of services that is effective and they guarantee to save your home from rodent infestation and keep it that way. Check out more about your options here.

Indicators Of A Mice Infestation

Mice are the unwanted guests who never leave unless they are kicked out. Mice infestations can become a major issue and a nightmare if you are not proactive. Unless you observe the common signs of mice infestation carefully, you will soon come face to face with a crisis situation where you will find mice running all over your house and will have no choice but to call pest control for mice removal.

There are many mice species and most of them dwell outside, however, some like the house mouse or deer mouse prefer to live inside a home or barn. House mice are usually dusty grey in colour and have moderately large ears and black eyes.  Deer mice are brown in colour with a white chest and feet and have large protruding ears with large black eyes. Both of these mice are very small in size and  weigh roughly between ½ to 1 ounce.  Mice removal requires some effort and before you decide to go ahead, here are a few indicators to help you identify mice infestation.

Visual:

Spotting a mouse: It may seem silly, but you have to understand that a mice infestation can escalate rapidly in a short span of time due to their frequent breeding. Also, mice are not long distance travellers which means that if you spot them inside your house, they must have their nests somewhere near or maybe even within your house.

Urine or dirt tracks: Mice are not very hygienic, they definitely will be running around your house in their dirty feet. Plus, they have very weak bladders which means they urinate quite frequently.

Mice droppings: Areas where you find mice poo are the areas where they are most active. Their droppings are roughly 3 to 6 mm in length and often black in colour. They are granular in shape and can be mistaken for droppings of lizards or roaches. During mice removal you can keep an eye on fresh droppings that will indicate the area they are most active in.

Sound:

There are different sounds that can indicate an infestation;

Scratching or gnawing: Mice have the habit to gnaw because they need to keep filing their teeth constantly. You will definitely hear a scratching sound in your house walls or ceilings, especially in the quiet evening times when they are the most active. Mice have very sharp teeth and they can chew your furniture,  packaging, doors and fabrics like socks, shoes, woollen clothes etc.

Squeaking: If you can hear a low but shrill noise in your house then it usually means mice have made their nests within your home. This squeaking noise is usually the sign of baby mice calling out for food.

Scurrying: Mice are very small creatures, hence they usually don’t make noise while moving around. But, if more than one mouse runs around for any reason, then you can actually hear them. If they have built their nests above your ceiling, you can hear them running around quite clearly. During the mice removal process it is important not to spook the mice because they will find a new hiding spot.

Smell:

Mice distinctly smell of ammonia due to frequent urination.

Do you hear different sounds or smell a strange odor but not sure what they are from? Then it’s crucial to be informed on these rodents and ready to clear them from your home with the help of a wildlife and pest control company like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. You can check them out at skedaddlewildlife.com.

Natural And Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Rodents

Nobody wants their home to have rodents running around from one room to the other. This can be a scary sight and a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Worry no more! There are many natural and effective ways to drive them away, why not learn more about the natural products that can be used for getting rid of rodents in your home.

Peppermint Oil

This oil works wonders in an area infested with mice. It is a natural product and is absolutely safe for your pets. Put a few drops of the oil on a cotton ball and leave it in an area where mice are rampant. Peppermint oil can dissolve on the cotton balls quickly so it is important to replace them a couple of times a week.

Mothballs

Place the mothballs in an area inhabited by mice. The smell will drive away 60% of rodents. Mothballs are harmful to pets and children if consumed as they are very poisonous. If you choose to use this method be sure to keep it out of reach.

Mouse Prevention Spray

This spray is usually made up of hot peppers which is why you should wear gloves and goggles when using it. Spray it around the areas infested with mice. The hot pepper will cause an irritation to the rodents eyes and nose and cause them to  run away and leave the area.

Cloves

Another natural and effective way to keep off mice is to place a number of cloves on the entrance of the mouse hole. They will find the smell overwhelming and will try to stay as far away as possible. You can also put it on cotton balls dipped in clove oil.

Other Rodent-Proofing Tips:

There are some other ways to prevent the rodents from invading your property.

1.      One of the natural and effective ways of getting rid of rodents is to block up the holes in the interior and exterior walls of your home and they may leave your property in search of new holes. Use heavy gauge screening to seal the entrances.
2.     Use kitty litter around the entrance of the house or in places where mice are seen most. The smell will drive the mice away.
3.      Place superior quality steel wool or copper in the entrances to block the mice from entering. These materials won’t rust and mice will find it hard to chew.
4.     There are a number of electric traps found in the market. They are useful in the sense that they will send a shock to a mouse once it comes close to it.
5.     There are some electric units which produce beeping sounds at frequencies that rodents hate. The sounds make them insane and cause the rodents run back to their territory. 

Moreover, there are a number of companies which make organic solutions by using rodent repellents and pesticides. This is applicable in cases where you have a larger area infested with mice.
These are just some of the ways you can keep off mice from entering your property. But at the end of the day, one of the best ways and still the most natural and effective way of getting rid of rodents is to keep your house and surrounding area clean so that no pest can thrive there.

Fast Facts About Skunks And How To Keep Them Away

Skunks are a member of the weasel family. They are intelligent and may look to some as adorable creatures however, watch out for their bad habits and of course, their notorious spray.

Many times, skunk's burrowing and feeding habits conflict with people. Skunks may burrow under buildings or porches by entering openings under the foundation. They destroy property by digging holes in golf courses, lawns and gardens in search of insect grubs.

Skunks are omnivorous too. Hence, they eat eggs and other leftover piece of meat from the garbage. They are also known to eat bees.

There are many evidences which shows that skunks have killed poultry or attacked pets in order to protect themselves. When a skunk feels disturbed or insecure it will then use its spray which is their most powerful weapon. This spray is a smelling blend of sulphurous oil and can damage building materials, furniture, clothing, and other property. If this spray comes in contact with human eyes then it can cause intense itching and partial or temporary blindness. Due to such irritating behaviour of skunks, it becomes very difficult for people to tolerate these smelly creatures.

Removing skunks from your home is a must. However, it requires expertise and other tools and techniques. There are several easy methods available and some of them are as follows:

• Skunks detest lights and prefer to stay away from highly lit locations. Skunks prefer a dark location. Hence, adding lights in yards will help to resist skunks from choosing your backyard as a nesting ground.

• Skunks like to burrow under decks, sheds, and foundation openings. They damage properties by nesting in these areas. It is recommended to seal these prime locations from skunks with effective products like solid steel sheeting and quarter inch screening.

• Exclusion is the best way to keep your property skunk-free. If skunks have a place to live on your property then the odds of you or your pet having a run-in with them are greatly increased. Remove any and all skunks from under sheds, decks and porches and then block off their entry points to ensure the skunks must relocate to another area.

• You  should try to reduce any attractants from your home. These may include pet food, garbage, water bowls, leftovers vegetables, fruits, etc. Place motion activated sprinklers close to locations where you suspect a skunk might want to shelter. Such products are cost effective and natural ways to keep these smelly animals away . There are many repellents available in the market which are made up of natural ingredients and are effective to repel skunks as soon as they smell or touch the product.

• To avoid any future infestation by skunks, fence your gardens by using wires or net. While fencing, it should be kept in mind that fence should be one or two feet below ground level, so that skunks can not dig holes underneath. Also, it should stand four feet above ground level as skunks are not skilled climbers.

Sometimes it's better to leave animal control to the professionals like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. They have the tools and knowledge to humanely remove skunks from your property. They are the experts in wildlife infestations and they can guarantee full skunk removal as well as help prevent any problems in the future. You can check them out here.

Fool Proof Methods to Effectively Remove Mice

Mice can inhabit your home and quickly multiply If they find enough food, water and good shelter. If you don’t use methods to prevent this you can be sure you will have some tiny visitors in your home at some stage. There are various methods that people use to get rid of these rodents, most people claim that the use of poisons and traps are the best methods. However have you ever asked yourself whether you’ve actually solved the root of the problem? Traps and poisons may solve the immediate problem but they don’t deal with the issue of them coming back.

Fool proof methods are the most effective and also humane, leave alone not posing danger to the pets you’ve kept at home i.e. poisoning and injuries from traps. But, what are these methods? These are natural methods that act by removing or keeping away the rodents.

The use of strong smells to keep away mice is a very friendly way of preventing them from coming into your house. It involves the use of a bio-based repellent which keeps away rodents without having to kill them or pose danger to other animals and humans in the house. You won't need to be looking for dead mice under the couch or behind appliances. These repellents have pleasing odours and are therefore human friendly. They are made from plants i.e. herbal plants. The smell produced is not pleasant to mice and it forces them to leave and seek a more comfortable habitat. The importance of using strong smells is that they last in the house for a longer duration and also are cheap and easy to use.

If you have a cat or are thinking about getting one their presence can keep mice away,  However, this works best if your cat also goes outdoors. Cats have a very strong sense of smell and while hunting they track down these animals to their nests. The mice feel threatened and those which survive choose to run away before it becomes too late. Domesticated cats however can be lazy and not interested in the mice but, even if this is the case, naturally mice fear cats and therefore their existence in the house will be threatened.

Keeping your house clean at all times helps to prevent infestation by these creatures. A clean environment denies mice access to food, water and hiding places. Keep food containers properly covered including crackers, cereals, pancake mixes and sugar. Make it a routine to wash all the dishes after eating and dispose of the leftovers properly. Cover all water containers and repair any drips in water pipes to keep those mice thirsty. By doing these small things, the mice will find it unbearable to continue living in a place where they can’t get food and leave.

No matter the method of choice, prevention is the ultimate ‘medicine’. Once the mice have left the house cover all the areas they can come back through. This includes covering all holes in walls, ceilings and floors .You can hire a professional animal control service to help you look for possible entries and help come up with solutions. They are well trained and may be the help you need.

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is one of the best agencies with qualified personnel who can help remove these vermin from your house using effective and humane methods. Visit their website www.skedaddlewildlife.com and learn more on how to deal with these uninvited visitors.