The fall nip is in the air, and the wildlife know winter is coming. So when they are lured into your yard by some open trash, a bird feeder, or pet food, they will consider staying. It might seem cool having a family of cute raccoons living under your deck, patio, or stairwell, but I assure you, it is never a good idea to have a wild animal living in or around your home. Take a couple minutes to do a quick search for "raccoon new york news" and count how many times you see the word rabid or rabies--or, nuisance, attack, and victim.
Raccoons aren't the only wild animals that are looking to share your home for the winter. You're likely to find bats, snakes, squirrels, opossums, skunks, rats,The fall nip is in the air, and the wildlife know winter is coming. So when they are lured into your yard by some open trash, a bird feeder, or pet food, they will consider staying. It might seem cool having a family of cute raccoons living under your deck, patio, or stairwell, but I assure you, it is never a good idea to have a wild animal living in or around your home. mice and woodchucks looking for a warm place to hide too. And, each of these creatures has its own set of problems. But some things are universal.
- All of these creatures leave their excrement wherever they go, and this can be a health hazard for your family, especially in the case of rats, mice, bats, and raccoons. A bat living in your attic or garage can leave a caked layer in a surprisingly short period of time.
- Most of these creatures cause damage to homes by clawing and chewing. This is especially a problem with mice and rats that chew frequently, to wear down their incisors. I guess it could be worse; you could have a beaver living in your attic. Fortunately, beaver prefer to live in the water.
- All of these creatures have the potential to be dangerous, and some can cause disfiguring wounds. Remember, these are wild animals. Animals in the wild are unpredictable, especially if cornered, or protecting their young.
- Many of these animals have rabies--raccoons and bats being top on the list.
- Some snakes are poisonous, and most have a painful bite.
- Many of these pests carry disease, bacteria, and illness on their fur and in their bellies. If you have creatures living in your attic or crawl spaces, sickness can spread to throughout your entire home by way of ventilation ducts.
- Mammals carry parasites in their fur, like: mites, lice, fleas, ticks, and worms.
- These creatures also get into trash cans, and other items in your yard--or on your porch. Remember, raccoons have nimble hands and a clever mind. If your porch isn't secure against humans, it may be vulnerable to raccoons.
If a wild animal takes up residence under your deck or porch, in your attic and crawl spaces, or in your garage or shed, don't take matters into your own hands. A pest management professional has access to terabytes of historical data on pest removal, and the equipment to do it safely and conscientiously. They can also clean, or treat, areas that have been infected, and teach you exclusion methods for keeping wildlife and other pests out of your home. Call the professionals at Parkway today to learn more about protecting your home against wildlife infestations!