From squirrels chewing through your attic to raccoons in the chimney, dealing with wild animals is a significant hassle. It’s also a health hazard, with pest droppings posing severe risks to your family and pets.

DIY solutions may provide temporary relief but fail to address the root cause of critter problems. This article offers practical, actionable tips and techniques for reclaiming your property from unwanted invaders.

Identify the Infestation

Whether it’s rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, possums, rabbits, beetles, or other pests, it is vital to identify which critters are infesting your property. It will help you determine the steps to eliminate and prevent them from returning.

Some telltale signs of a pest infestation include urine trails, fecal droppings, dust tracks with dark grease marks, and gnaw marks. Look for these on walls and floors, particularly in your home’s darker or less-used areas. Rodents tend to gnaw on things like furniture and electrical wiring, so it is crucial to look for this.

Indicators of a pest infestation include streaks on windows, filth accumulation in corners and under appliances, and a musty or earthy odor. Additionally, it would help if you searched for abandoned critter nests and signs of pest damage. These show that the issue is present and that a professional critter removal Orlando FL company, needs to be contacted immediately.

Seal Off Entry Points

Rodents can enter through various tiny cracks and crevices, so it’s essential to carefully examine your entire home to find all potential entrance points. You can fill smaller holes with caulk and larger ones with steel wool. Covering the area with sheet metal is also a good option, as rodents can’t chew through it, and it will stop them from entering.

Inspect the crawl spaces of your house, paying particular attention to areas near pipes, vents, and doors. Look for gaps, cracks, and open windows. Check your house’s exterior, ensuring all windows are shut tightly and no cracks in the foundation or walls. Ensure all air vents are securely closed, and your trash cans have secure lids. These are all prime entry points for mice and other pests. Identifying and sealing these entry points is crucial in preventing full-on infestations.

Get Rid of the Infestation

Rodents love invading homes and businesses because they can find food, water, and places to build their nests. They also cause costly damage to property and spread diseases like salmonella and hantavirus.

Removing the things that attract critters can prevent them from invading your home or business. Store foods in sealed containers, use eucalyptus oil to spray around doors and windowsills to deter ants and cockroaches and keep stacks of newspapers, magazines, or cardboard to a minimum because cockroaches breed and hide in these items.

Make sure to seal off entry points to your house with caulk or steel wool, and fix leaky pipes and faucets because water is an essential source of life for pests. You can also repel critters by spraying your yard with hot pepper spray. It is a non-toxic alternative to bait traps that can kill unwanted animals and leave behind an unpleasant odor. It’s also safer than attempting to trap and relocate wildlife because you won’t be handling the animal or risk getting bitten or scratched by it while trying to get it back into a safe area.

Humanely Remove the Infestation

Once you’ve identified which critter has taken up residence in your attic, the next step is humanely removing it. It is a challenging task. The animal’s urine and feces are incredibly toxic to humans. In addition, the animal can carry diseases like hantavirus and salmonella. To avoid contamination, open windows and wear protective clothing when removing the animal and its droppings.

Afterward, seal the holes that allow the animal back into your home. For narrow cracks, use caulk; for more significant gaps, use a foam insulation pest blocker or joint compound. Also, trim trees away from your house and install door sweeps on outside-facing doors to prevent rodents from gnawing their way under them.

If you’re still plagued with wild animal infestation, professional wildlife, and pest control companies can provide effective trapping and exclusion equipment to permanently rid your property of invasive critters. However, before you call in the professionals, take steps to prevent critters from entering your home.