Thoms Pest Services Blog

Common Winter Wildlife Problems For Schenectady Residents

Written by Admin | Jan 18, 2019 5:00:00 AM

Winters in Schenectady can be chilly, making people want to stay indoors. Unfortunately, humans aren’t the only ones moving indoors for the winter. Wild animals are also looking to human properties for shelter. It’s common for squirrels, bats, raccoons, and other wildlife to enter Schenectady homes during the winter. Let’s take a look at the dangers each of these creatures can bring into your home:

Squirrels

No matter what kind of squirrel you’re dealing with, their damage can be quite severe. To keep their teeth at a manageable length, squirrels need to constantly chew. Unfortunately, squirrels will chew on the structural components of your home or your personal items. Chewed wires can be a fire risk and chewed holes can create water damage. Feces and urine from squirrels can cause health threats to you and your family, contaminating your home and leaving behind a strong odor. They can also introduce fleas and mites into the home as well.

 

Bats

Little brown bats are the most common type of bats to invade homes in our area. These pests can carry their own set of hazards when they enter your home. Being a potential carrier of rabies, any contact with them can be a risk to your health. If you get too close and the bat feels threatened, they may become angry or scared and attack, this is a threat to you and your family. There is a fungus, known as Histoplasmosis, found in bat droppings that can cause flu-like symptoms when the air-borne spores are inhaled.

 

Raccoons

Raccoons are well known for being aggressive. They will also lash out if cornered or threatened, putting both pets and people at risk. On top of this, they can be carriers of rabies and other pathogens that affect your health. Their feces and urine will damage your property and they have the potential to introduce fleas and other parasites to your home. These pests will also enjoy getting into your trash and leaving it strewn across the yard for you to clean up.

Prevention methods should be put in place to protect you, your family, and your property from wildlife. Here’s what you can do:

  • Trim back shrubs and trees away from the exterior of your home.
  • Make sure to keep your trash covered with tight-fitting lids.
  • Seal any cracks or crevices around the exterior of your home, around the foundation and roofline.
  • Place caps on chimneys and over vents.
  • Use wire mesh or other material to block off underneath your deck, porch, or other areas that could be used as nesting areas for wildlife.
  • Clean your yard of clutter and debris to prevent hiding places.
  • Keep woodpiles and compost piles away from the exterior of your home.

 

These prevention methods aren’t a guarantee for preventing wildlife, but they can certainly help. You should never handle wildlife on your own. At Thomas Pest Services, our wildlife control humanely removes nuisance animals with our catch and release method. We relocate animals to a designated spot. We will also repair any damage they’ve caused and work to prevent them from returning. Contact Thomas Pest Services to get started protecting your home today.