The Most Common Ways Wildlife Enter Your Richmond Hill Home

Living outside of Toronto is idyllic in many ways. We get all four seasons, beautiful trees, and breathtaking views of Mother Nature. The Conference Board of Canada has even ranked Richmond Hill as one of the top six best places to live in Canada. While you are enjoying the good life, though, be on the lookout for several common entry points to your home where wildlife can make their way in. Read further for ways that Skedaddle can provide humane wildlife control in Richmond Hill. 

Chimneys 

Almost all residential rodents are expert climbers and jumpers. Raccoons, mice, and squirrels alike can scurry up a brick wall, across a shingled roof, and up into a chimney very quickly. If your chimney is uncovered, they are likely to enter it as a dark, safe, potentially warm space to hide and have babies. To keep this from happening, install a heavy wire mesh over the opening of the top of the chimney. Basic fasteners like staples or tacks will deter even the smartest pests and encourage them to find a place with easier access. If this does not work, consider professional raccoon removal. 

Roof Vents, Vent Covers, and Weeping Vents

At least twice a year, carefully inspect vents for damage or holes. A rodent will easily chew through a vent that already has a small hole, and make it larger. Pay special attention to weeping vents installed in a brick wall. While these are there to allow moisture and air to escape from the constructed brick, they are also perfectly discreet places for mice and other varmints to live. Mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime, and many weeping vents have holes of this size or slightly larger. Attaching wire mesh with simple but sturdy fasteners is, again, a sustainable solution here. 

Cracks or Gaps in Siding 

Be vigilant about checking even the smallest spaces between pieces of siding. Newer, vinyl siding is sometimes flexible enough for a furry creature to slide between the pieces. Check for cracks in old particle board siding as well. Rodent physiques are flexible enough to make the cracks much larger in search of a safe place to nest. 

Air Conditioning Pipes and Plumbing

Furry four-legged creatures often want a dry, warm place to make their home and store their food. This is true, but they also often need a steady supply of water. Combine this with the desire for safety, and leaky pipes that connect to plumbing or A/C units are very attractive. An easy solution is to make sure that there is no condensation dripping from any of your pipes. Another solution is to check where the pipes connect to your home. If there is a gap, attempt to fill it with expanding foam. If an animal is already inside your home near the pipes, do not attempt to remove the animal before securing the gap. Leave the gap as-is. Do not trap the animal inside, where it could die and cause a bigger problem for you. Call an expert before taking the next steps. 

Call Skedaddle For Wildlife Control in Richmond Hill

Remember that though these animals are small, they are wild! They may seem habituated to humans, but they are also scared of us and will attack out of fear. If the simple, safe DIY solutions suggested above don't work, give us a call or use our website to learn more about our humane and professional wildlife removal services. We will diagnose all possible entry points, professionally seal off all avenues of access, and protect your home from future invasions.