Expert Tips for Safeguarding Your Home from Winter Pests: Rodents, Raccoons, and More from January to March

When winter sets in, it’s not just the cold that creeps into your home. Pests like rodents and wildlife often search for a warm place to stay, making it essential to take extra precautions. From January to March, these critters can become a real nuisance. Here are practical tips to keep your home pest-free during these chilly months.

Inspect and Seal Entry Points

Inspecting your home for gaps is the first line of defense against winter pests. Check windows, doors, and vents closely.

Seal any openings with caulk or foam insulation. For example, a mere quarter-inch gap can allow a mouse to enter. By sealing these gaps, you not only keep out creatures but can also save up to 20% on heating costs by improving energy efficiency. Important spots to check include roof returns, gable vents, vent exhausts, crawlspace doors, garage door weather stripping, soffits, and chimneys!

Maintain Your Yard

A clean yard can deter pests before they make their way indoors. Trim shrubs and trees that might provide good hiding spots. Plants should never come in contact with a home, many rodents travel along walls and under foliage to keep away from predators, and they may stumble across an entry point to the home. As well, plants can damage sill plates, weather sealing, and siding creating new entry points.

Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from the home. This distance prevents groundhogs or skunks from moving in close. As well, keeping firewood on an elevated holder will prevent pests from burrowing underneath. A tidy yard sends a message to pests: your home is not an option for winter lodging.

When Spring comes around, it is always a good time to check the quality and content of your soil. Moles, armadillos, squirrels, and other species often forage for grubs, earthworms and other insects in the yard. This digging can create holes that look quite unpleasant and destroy expensive turf. Knowing if your thatch layer is healthy and whether your yard needs to be aerated is important to prevent future pest problems.

Store Food Properly

Wildlife is often drawn to easy food sources. To prevent unwanted visitors, store food in airtight containers, using glass or heavy plastic bins.

Avoid leaving pet food outside, especially at night. Also, secure garbage bins with tightly fitting lids. According to recent studies, homes that keep food secure reduce their chances of a raccoon sighting by nearly 30%.

Remember, a bird feeder is a wildlife feeder. Many more species than just birds feed on the contents and leaving bird feeders up may attract pests and cause existing pest problems to become worse.

Check Your Attic and Basement

Areas like attics and basements can easily attract pests looking for peace and quiet.

Regularly inspect these locations for droppings, nests, or gnaw marks. For example, if you find a mouse nest made from shredded paper, it’s a sign that action is needed. If you spot three or more signs of pests, it might be best to consult with a pest control specialist.

Utilize Traps and Baits

If you suspect an infestation, traps can be a practical solution, and when placed right, make a much more cost-effective solution than rodenticide baits.

Place traps in areas where you see gnaw marks, nesting and droppings. For safety reasons, make sure these traps are out of reach of pets and children. You always increase your catch rate with proper placement.

Be Cautious with DIY Solutions

Many homeowners lean towards DIY pest control. However, it's essential to approach these methods with care. Some may backfire, causing more significant issues down the line.

For larger wildlife, like raccoons, it’s often wise to consult pest control experts. With their knowledge, they can effectively address issues, keeping both your family and pets safe. Remember that relocating wildlife is not always legal, and to consult with wildlife enforcement officers to ensure methods you are using are legal and humane.

Final Thoughts

Being proactive is crucial when it comes to pest control during winter. By inspecting entry points, maintaining your yard, and storing food securely, you can significantly lower the risk of pest invasions.

For persistent problems or larger wildlife, reaching out to professional pest control services is a practical step. With these measures in place, you can enjoy a warm and peaceful winter, free from pests.