No. This isn't an article about where to go to have a good time in Albany. That isn't the kind of wildlife we're going to be talking about today. As a pest control company, we're interested in the kind of wildlife that decides it is a good idea to search for places of harborage on property that doesn't belong to them, namely, your property.
What pests can I expect?
In New York, the usual suspects are skunks, raccoons, squirrels, mice, rats, and birds. All of these creatures need to find a place to hide from the cold, and your home is as good a place as any.
How do they get in?
Each of these pests have a different plan. Skunks often dig their way under a porch, deck, or shed. Mice, rats, and squirrels are rodents, so these creatures will look for a nice place to chew their way in. They are equipped with sharp front teeth that can make short work of any soft wood in your exterior walls. Birds, and sometimes bats, will look for vulnerabilities in your roofline and hope to find a cracked window or open vent. But, of all the creatures that get into homes, raccoons are the worse. If you want to protect your home from these clever critters, you're going to need to take the same type of measures that you would use to deter a human bandit. Raccoons have dextrous digits that allow them to steal a quarter right out of your pants pocket.
How do I keep New York wildlife out?
The answer is simple. Doing it, however, is not so simple. You have to make sure that when animals want to come in, that they can't find a way. This may sound straightforward, but it is anything but that.
Here are a few things you can do:
Use a caulking gun to fill in any rotted holes in your exterior walls.
Use that caulking gun to seal around pipes, outlets, window frames, and air conditioning units.
Make sure all of your windows are locking properly and are not inadvertently left open.
Here are things only a licensed wildlife control professional can do:
The pros here at Thomas know how to do an inspection of your property that will reveal all present threats and possible entry points.
Our team knows how to repair and reinforce your exterior walls. But more than this, they are familiar with exclusion installations that will deter wildlife from sticking around.
Most of all, our wildlife-control team knows how to safely remove animals and address the health issues that may be present.
This winter, you may find yourself unintentionally exposed to the "wildlife," we have here in New York. Just bookmark this page. If you have any issues, we're only a phone call away.