FURRY FALL PESTS PREPARE FOR WINTER - INSIDE YOUR HOME

Nader's Pest Raiders Offers Tips for Homeowners to Keep Wildlife in the Wild This Fall

There are many delightful signs that fall has arrived, unfortunately that scratching noise in the attic or walls isn't one of them.  As the weather cools, local wildlife begins to prepare for winter by seeking warm locations to build their nests.  A concern because they can spread diseases, nest in insulation and chew through wiring causing fires, these unwanted guests can cause real harm. Telltale signs of a fall intruder include those noises in the attic or droppings found in pantries, along baseboards and/or in attics.

"In the fall, we typically see a sharp increase in calls related to wildlife.  Homeowners often aren't sure what has taken up residence in their home, but they want it out quickly.  The likely suspects are roof rats, squirrels and even raccoons," said Nader's Pest Expert Shay Runion. "These pests are in search of the same things we need to survive: food, shelter and warmth and usually a home is the perfect destination." 

Roof Rats: The most frequent fall intruder, roof rats were not even found in many southern states 20 years ago.  Typically tree dwellers, they have adapted to high places inside structures including soffits and attics to survive the winter and reproduce very quickly making them very difficult to control.   

Squirrels: Both gray and flying squirrels are known to find winter shelter in attics, exterior walls and even between floors using insulation as nesting material.

Raccoons: Another common wildlife pest is the raccoon. Mostly nocturnal in nature, raccoons most often choose crawl spaces, attics and chimneys to build their nests and use their very adept hands to open garbage cans, remove siding and even tear off shingles.

Bats: Last, but not least, homeowners should be on the lookout for evidence of bats in their attic. Since bats can fit through spaces as small as half an inch, they often find their way inside through rooflines, chimneys, gables or vents - making attics a prime location to nest. 

To help keep wildlife in the wild, Nader's Pest Raiders offers homeowners some fall prevention tips:

Use plastic boxes and containers with seal-tight lids for storage, keep off the floor and organize items to prevent wildlife from residing in undisturbed areas;

• Seal all cracks and holes, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home;
• Clean up spilled food and immediately wash dishes and cooking utensils after use;
• Keep outside cooking areas and grills clean;
• Keep bird feeders away from the house and use squirrel guards to limit access to the feeder;
• Do not leave pet food or water bowls out overnight; and
• Use a thick plastic or metal garbage can with a tight lid - and keep it sealed at all times