Being stranded outside in New York with limited food supplies and nowhere to hide can be a harrowing ordeal. But add the fact of approaching winter, and desperation may set in. This is what it must be like for many of the wild animals in our area as temperatures begin to drop. Wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels and more are hard at work this time of year to secure food and a safe place to hide during the cold months ahead. The question is, will they choose your home to shelter in, or set up housekeeping underneath your deck or, perhaps in or under an outbuilding?
Dangers Wildlife Pose In/Around Homes
- Wildlife and illness: If an animal has taken up residence in your home, it doesn't stay there all the time. Typically, animals come and go. And, some of the places they visit outside are filthy places such as sewers and dumpsters, where they can pick up disease-causing bacteria and filth. If people or pets are exposed to these germs they can become sick.
- Wildlife and injury: Most any animal that is threatened or cornered, or has the rabies virus, can become violent. Animals may scratch or bite anyone who invades "their" space. Therefore it is never a good idea to approach wildlife that has moved into your home or taken up residence nearby.
- Wildlife and parasites: Animals can carry all sorts of parasites such as mites, fleas, or ticks. All of these come with their own set of problems.
- Wildlife and damage to property: Raccoons strew garbage, rats and mice chew holes in everything, and many animals dig up gardens and steal fruits and vegetables. Animals have also been known to damage screens, chew on wiring, or make holes in foundations or walls bigger.
Wildlife Prevention Tips
If you would rather not deal with wildlife and other household pests getting into your home, there are some steps you can take to try to prevent them from doing so.
- Keep your yard neatly trimmed. Animals love to hide in tall grass. Keeping things short will go a long way toward deterring them.
- Remove overgrowth and unnecessary clutter. If animals don't have any place to hide, they will likely move on to the next yard.
- Keep bushes and other vegetation trimmed back away from your home.
- Seal up any gaps or cracks in your foundation or walls where wildlife may get inside.
- Make sure your screens are in place and in good condition.
- Place window-grade screening over vents and chimneys.
- Keep the outside of your home free of food and water sources.
If Wildlife Have Invaded, Who You Gonna Call?
If you are encountering wildlife hanging around or, worse, living inside, your New York home, reach out to the professionals here at Parkway Pest Services. Wild animals are very unpredictable and can be dangerous. Let Parkway's wildlife control experts take care of them for you. You'll be glad you did.