Mar 13, 2020 | DIY, DIY Wildlife Prevention, Wildlife
If you live in an area where snakes are common, chances are you may stumble across one at some point. Snakes, like any other pest, are usually in search of three things: food, water, and shelter. Oftentimes the area around our homes provides all of these things that attract snakes.
The likelihood of a snake on your property depends on several factors, including location (north vs south), landscape (urban vs rural), a nearby water source (pond, lake, river), how well your lawn is landscaped and maintained, and how readily a food supply is available.
When dealing with snakes, it is important to identify the type of snake you are dealing with: venomous snakes should be left to a professional to eliminate while non-venomous snakes can often be deterred with natural snake repellent techniques. Here are 4 ways to keep snakes out of your yard:
1. Scare Them Off
One of the easiest ways to scare off a snake from your yard is to use your garden hose. Spray the snake with a steady stream from the hose until he slithers off. Consider installing a perch pole for hawks, owls, and other natural snake predators to alight on. Be sure to place it in an open area so the birds have a good view of your yard and the surrounding area.
2. Repel Them Away
There are some natural products and at-home techniques you can use for snake prevention. Ammonia is a common snake repellent. Snakes hate the smell of ammonia and won’t come near it. Soak rags in ammonia and place them in unsealed plastic bags. Leave the bags where you usually see snakes to keep them away.
You can also use vinegar to keep snakes and other pests out of your swimming pool. Pour white vinegar around the perimeter of the pool. Snakes can absorb the vinegar through their skin, so they will avoid slithering over it once it’s poured on the ground. Snakes also try to avoid humans at all costs. Save hair from your hairbrush and scatter it around the perimeter of your property to help keep snakes away.
3. Don’t Invite Them In
Snakes will come into your yard in search of food, water, and shelter. Eliminating these three basic necessities will make them much less likely to pay you a visit. Mow your grass often and keep it cut short. Shorter grass means more exposure to predators like hawks and coyotes and also makes them much easier for you to spot.
Avoid overwatering your lawn, as this can attract snake food sources like frogs, worms, and slugs. Keep trees, shrubs, and branches trimmed away from the sides of your house, the roof, and the ground. Try to keep a 24 to 36-inch space cleared under trees and shrubs, as this reduces the chance of snakes using them for cover and makes them easier to spot. Move bird feeders away from the house or get rid of them altogether.
Birds often leave seeds scattered underneath which attracts rodents that, in turn, attract snakes. Keep bird seed and pet food stored in metal cans with tight-fitting lids.
Make sure your woodpile is kept away from the home and elevated if possible. When designing your landscaping, try not to use mulch or large rocks, as these create breeding grounds and overwintering habitats for snakes. Instead, try to use smaller, tight-fitting rocks like gravel or river rock. Also, try to avoid using water features and Koi ponds as the water can also attract snakes.
4. Lock Them Out
Snakes can be very persistent pests, and keeping them out can be difficult. Carefully inspect the outside of your home and seal any cracks or crevices you find on the house, sidewalk, and foundations. Consider installing fencing around your yard, garden, or pool.
Fencing should be buried a few inches into the ground and constructed using 1/4″ rigid mesh or solid sheeting. Fencing should also include a bend at the top to prevent snakes from climbing up and over. There are some companies that even make wildlife-specific fencing.
The best way to prevent snakes is to take steps to keep them out in the first place. Dealing with snakes can be dangerous, depending on the type of snake you have. If you have a snake problem, contact animal control or a professional wildlife control company that can help safely trap, relocate, or remove the nuisance snake from your home.
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Oct 18, 2019 | Wildlife
Unlike many warm-blooded animals, snakes don’t actually hibernate in the winter. Instead, snakes go into a state known as brumation where snakes become less active and their metabolism slows down tremendously. Brumation is similar to hibernation in that snakes will sleep for long periods of time. They will, however, wake up to forage for food and water and if a sudden warm snap occurs and temperatures rise for a few days at a time. When the weather cools back down, they will go back into their brumation state once again. Brumation can begin anytime from September to December and last until March or April.
Because snakes are cold-blooded, they can’t regulate their body temperatures like warm-blooded animals can. When cold weather hits, snakes must find shelter from the temperatures by burrowing in holes or caves, under logs or rocks, in tree stumps, or by making their way into basements, crawlspaces, garages, barns, sheds, wood piles, and even car engines. Snakes are very quiet and experts at hiding so their presence often goes unnoticed until they are disturbed.
Now that you know where snakes might be hiding this winter, the next question is how to keep snakes away? Here are some tips on how to prevent snakes from hiding out on your property.
- Landscape Management: Rodents are attracted to tall grass and overgrown landscaping. By minimizing these unkempt areas on your property, rodent populations are reduced which, in turn, helps keep snakes who feed on these rodents away. Keep grass mowed and landscaping well maintained. Cut shrubbery regularly and trimmed away from your home and other buildings.
- Storage: Snakes will look for any area of cover that will protect them from the elements without being disturbed. They will often seek shelter in wood piles or other piles of debris on your property. Make sure that these stacks are kept at least 12″ off the ground and, if possible, stored in sealed containers.
- Wildlife Exclusion: Snakes can’t chew to create openings into your home so they take advantage of any openings that are already present, such as gaps near pipes, damaged window and door screens, open windows and doors, damaged soffits, crawlspaces that aren’t enclosed, and through cracks in the exterior of buildings. Carefully examine all of your property and seal any potential openings that snakes may utilize.
- Food Sources: Snakes are known to feed on rodents, lizards, and frogs. Eliminate these pests and you will help eliminate snakes. Get rid of any areas of standing water on your property. Keep landscaping well maintained to deter rodents. Inside your home, make sure to keep areas clean especially kitchens and pantries where spilled food and crumbs are readily available for rodents to feed on.
- Professional Service: Depending on the species, snake removal can be dangerous to undertake on your own. It is usually in your best interest to contact a professional wildlife control company when dealing with a snake issue. Establishing a regularly scheduled service plan can help identify pest risks before they become an issue. These professionals can also identify any areas where wildlife exclusion services may be beneficial and establish a comprehensive pest control program.
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May 17, 2019 | Wildlife
While we most often think of wildlife being a problem in the winter months, these animals don’t just disappear when the weather gets warm. Wildlife can still be quite active in the summer, wreaking havoc on our homes and gardens. Whatever the time of year, preventing and controlling these nuisance pests is of the utmost importance, as they not only cause damage to homes and property, but can also pose significant health risks to both humans and pets. Wildlife prevention (also known as wildlife exclusion) is the first line of control against critters; however, once they have established themselves in or around your home, wildlife removal becomes a more necessary option. Let’s look at some common summer wildlife, as well as ways to exclude them from your home.
Snakes
Snakes are cold-blooded animals that require heat and sunlight for energy. They are more active in the summer months because they require more energy for mating. Too much exposure can overheat them so snakes are typically more active in the early morning and late evenings or at night in the summertime. They will also seek out shelter during the hottest parts of the day in cool, dark places like underneath rocks and decks or in basements. Snakes will choose where they live based on the availability of food, shelter, and shade.
To prevent snakes this summer:
- Clear away yard clutter, piles of leaves, and wood.
- Keep your grass mowed short to eliminate coverage.
- Trim bushes and hedges regularly.
- Make sure birdseed doesn’t fall on the ground and clean it up if it does.
- Block access to any potential hibernation areas.
- Walk the perimeter of your home and seal, cover, or repair any crack or crevice that is greater than 1/4″.
- Check your garage, garage doors, windows, and exterior doors for gaps and seal them.
- Seal any gaps around water pipes, electrical lines, sump pumps, and other spots that utilities enter your home.
- Ventilate crawlspaces and repair leaky faucets and pipes as these attract pests which, in turn, attract snakes.
Bats
While bats are scary to many people, they are actually quite beneficial at keeping insect populations down. In the southern United States, many bat species are active year-round. Bats enter homes through openings. They can cause damage in homes by ruining insulation, causing structural damage when their urine soaks through to sheet rock or particle board, and their urine and feces causing health concerns for occupants of the home. Bats also carry serious diseases such as rabies, with 1 to 3 cases of bat transmitted rabies occurring each year. Bats are nocturnal and emerge at dusk in search of food. Female bats search for summer roosts where they stay until they have their young. For this reason, unless there is a threat to public health, eviction or exclusion of bats should not take place between April and August. Colonies will disband in late summer as bats leave for their winter roosts.
To prevent bats in the summer:
- If you have a bat in your home, locate any openings leading to living spaces in your home from attics, garages, walls, etc and seal them off.
- Close all doors to the room where the bat is and open all windows and exterior doors to allow the bat to escape.
- Inspect and caulk any openings on the exterior of your home that are larger than 1/4″.
- Use window screens, chimney caps, and screen vents.
- Fill any electrical and plumbing holes with steel wool or caulk.
- If you find an entry point, cover it with plastic sheeting or bird netting and then once all the bats are gone, seal it off completely.
- Professional removal is recommended. Professional wildlife pest control will:
- Assess any entry points.
- Install one-way systems to allow bats to exit but not return.
- Seal any entry points.
- Clear, decontaminate, and deodorize the affected area.
Armadillos
Armadillos mate in the fall, with their young born in the spring, making them very active in the summer months. They prefer habitats near streams or other water sources with sandy or clay soil. They are often found in forests, woodlands, prairies, salt marshes, coastal dunes, pastures, cemeteries, parks, golf courses, and crop lands. They love to nest in rock piles, around trees and shrubs, and under rock slabs. Armadillos dig burrows that can be up to 25 feet long, which can significantly damage tree roots. These burrows can also cause flooding if they are dug around crawlspaces, patios, or walkways. Armadillos have poorly developed teeth and limited mobility. they have poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell. They have very few natural predators. They are strong diggers which they rely on to find shelter and food and causing most of the damage around your home and property. Armadillos will eat fruit (especially from gardens and compost piles), grubs, worms, beetles, wasps, ants, millipedes, centipedes, and snails.
To prevent armadillos in the summer:
- Eliminate food sources by getting rid of insects around your home.
- Clean up any rotten fruit that may fall to the ground.
- Maintain proper landscaping by keeping grass mowed and shrubs and trees trimmed.
- Install sturdy fencing that goes at least 1 foot into the ground and at a slight angle.
- Eliminate any areas of excess moisture in your yard as this leads to more grubs and worms.
- Set traps and relocate the armadillos.
Opossums
Opossum females are laden with their young in the summer months, making them more active in their search for food. Opossums are found throughout the United States. They live in trees and will stay in them as much as possible. They also prefer wet areas like marshes and swamps. Opossums are nocturnal and will forage for food at night. They are beneficial in they eat harmful and unwanted pests around your home. They prefer to eat snails, slugs, spiders, cockroaches, rats, mice and snakes. They will also eat nuts, grass, fruit, roadkill, and garbage. They are rarely aggressive and will play dead when they feel threatened.
To prevent opossums this summer:
- Don’t leave pet food or water out overnight.
- Don’t leave garage doors, pet doors, or unscreened windows open at night.
- Pick up any fruit that has fallen from trees.
- Cover garbage cans at night.
- Clear out any dense bushes, shrubbery, or woodpiles.
- Keep swimming pools and hot tubs covered at night.
- Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed away from fences.
Raccoons
Raccoons are highly intelligent and curious animals. They typically give birth to their young in April and May, making them very active in the summer months. They are found throughout the United States. They prefer to live in heavily wooded areas with access to trees, water, and vegetation. They are extremely adaptable, however, and will make their homes in attics, sewers, barns, and sheds. They are dexterous, capable of opening doors, jars, bottles, and latches. They are known to carry several bacterial diseases. Raccoons are nocturnal animals, searching for food at night. They will eat almost anything including birds, eggs, fish, shellfish, frogs, fruit, insects, nuts, seeds, and even snakes. They are known to destroy gardens, tip over garbage cans, and cause structural damage in their quest for food.
To prevent raccoons this summer:
- Secure trash can lids, especially at night.
- Double bag any trash that contains meat.
- Remove brush and keep shrubbery trimmed.
- Keep grass mowed short.
- Seal any entry points to chimneys, eaves, and attics.
- Install motion detecting sprinklers or strobe lights.
- Remove any fallen fruit from trees.
- Bring bird feeders and pet food in at night.
- Seal pet doors at night.
Rats
Rats are active year-round. The summer provides them with ample sources of food making them very active. They are also busy making burrows and storing food in preparation for the winter. Rats can reproduce very quickly so control and elimination can be extremely difficult. They are excellent climbers and are well adapted to living in human environments. Rats can contaminate food, cause fire hazards by chewing through wires, and their urine and feces can cause serious health concerns.
To prevent rats this summer:
- Fill or seal any cracks, crevices, and holes found in foundations or siding.
- Install chimney caps and cover vents with screens.
- Replace any torn screens on windows and doors.
- Remove clutter from garages and storage areas.
- Try to use plastic storage bins versus cardboard boxes.
- Store firewood away from your home.
- Remove bird feeders and pet food at night.
- Keep food and pet food stored in airtight containers.
- Use trash cans with lids.
- Keep your kitchen clean from crumbs and spills.
- Empty the trash regularly.
Prevention is always a good first step at keeping wildlife away. Once you have a wildlife issue, however, prevention usually needs to shift to removal and exclusion. Consider contacting a professional wildlife control company who can assess your wildlife issue and provide you with the safest and most appropriate treatment and prevention options.
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Apr 26, 2019 | Pest Control, Wildlife
By Anna V., Editorial Lead — Pest Education · Last updated: April 2026
When a snake shows up in your yard or near the foundation, the instinct is almost always the same: go to Google and search for something to make it go away. Mothballs. Garlic. Essential oils. Ultrasonic stakes. At Northwest, we get asked about home remedies to keep snakes away almost every warm-weather day, and here’s the honest version most homeowners don’t hear: the vast majority of DIY snake remedies don’t work, and a few are actually illegal or dangerous. What does work is nearly always free, already in your toolshed, and takes a Saturday morning.
This guide walks through the most common home remedies for keeping snakes away, which ones have any real science behind them, which ones are outright myths, and what’s actually effective in a Georgia or Alabama yard. We’ll also cover where snakes go in cold weather (the question we get every fall) and how to quickly tell a harmless snake from one that needs a pro.
Why Snakes Come Into Residential Properties
Before you can keep snakes away, it helps to know why they showed up. Snakes don’t pick yards at random. They follow food, shelter, and water, in that order.
- Food: Rodents, frogs, lizards, and large insects. If you have a mouse problem in the crawl space or under the deck, you’ll eventually have a snake problem.
- Shelter: Wood piles, rock piles, thick mulch beds, tall grass, debris along the fence line, untrimmed shrubs touching the foundation.
- Water: Standing puddles, dripping outdoor faucets, leaky AC condensate lines, overwatered flower beds, low spots in the lawn.
- Easy access: Gaps around dryer vents, foundation cracks, torn crawl-space screens, missing weatherstripping on garage doors.
Remove those four things and snake activity drops fast, with or without a single bottle of repellent.
Common Home Remedies to Keep Snakes Away: What the Evidence Actually Says
Here’s how the most-searched home remedies stack up in the research and in the field.
Home remedies fall into three buckets: works, doesn’t work, and actively unsafe.
Mothballs
Mothballs are the single most common home remedy we hear about, and the single worst one. Their active ingredients (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) are registered pesticides with very specific label instructions that limit use to closed containers indoors for clothing moths. Scattering mothballs outdoors to keep snakes away is against federal label law per the EPA. They’re also toxic to pets, kids, and wildlife, and contaminate soil and groundwater. On top of all that, the research shows they don’t actually repel snakes. This is a “worse than useless” remedy: it creates real health risk while producing no benefit.
Ammonia-Soaked Rags
Ammonia is another scent-based remedy that circulates online. In practice, the vapor dissipates within a day, the first rain washes it out completely, and ammonia kills surrounding grass and plants. Snakes route around treated spots if anything, but don’t avoid the yard. Skip it.
Garlic, Onions, and Cinnamon Oil
These show up in almost every online list of home remedies for snakes. The idea is that strong botanical scents overwhelm a snake’s chemical-sensing system. The science is thin. Snakes navigate primarily via the Jacobson’s organ on the roof of their mouth, which processes airborne chemicals very differently than a mammal’s nose. A snake hunting a mouse isn’t going to be turned back by a border of onions. These remedies can provide a very short-term deterrent effect at best, and only at high concentrations close to the application point.
Essential Oil Sprays
Cedarwood, clove, peppermint, and cinnamon oil sprays are the “natural” version of a commercial snake repellent. At close range and high concentration, they may nudge a snake off a specific path for a few hours. They evaporate fast in summer heat, wash out with the first rain, and do nothing to address the reason the snake came. Use them as a short-term spot treatment if you’re so inclined, but never as a standalone plan.
Sulfur-Based Products
Granular sulfur products marketed as snake repellents have mixed evidence at best. Some studies suggest minor avoidance behavior; most show no meaningful effect. Sulfur can also irritate pets’ paws and contribute to an unpleasant smell around the yard. Not unsafe, but not reliable either.
Ultrasonic and Vibration Stakes
The marketing on these is aggressive, the research is not. Snakes don’t hear airborne sound the way mammals do. They sense low-frequency vibration through the ground. Solar-powered ultrasonic stakes emit sound waves that snakes mostly ignore. Independent testing has not shown a consistent repellent effect.
Fake Owl Decoys, Snake Decoys, and Rope Circles
Plastic owls might fool a few snakes for a week. Decoy king snakes might deter a copperhead momentarily. A rope laid in a circle around your tent (a long-running outdoor myth) does nothing. Snakes adapt fast to anything that doesn’t move. Skip.
What Actually Works to Keep Snakes Away
Almost without exception, the effective ways to keep snakes away are free. They’re not remedies, they’re habits.
- Habitat modification. Short grass, clear fence lines, no wood or rock piles within 20 feet of the house, mulch beds kept thin and tidy.
- Rodent control. Get mice under control and snake activity drops sharply. Snakes follow their food. Professional rodent control is the single highest-impact change most homes can make for long-term snake prevention.
- Exclusion. Seal every gap in the foundation, around utility penetrations, at crawl-space vents, and under garage side doors. Use ¼-inch galvanized hardware cloth. Expanding foam alone won’t hold up.
- Moisture control. Fix leaky faucets, redirect gutter runoff, don’t over-irrigate. Dry yards are less attractive to snakes and the prey they eat.
We covered the detailed seven-method playbook in our Snake Repellent: Natural & Effective Ways to Keep Snakes Away article. This post stays focused on the myth-busting side.
Snakes don’t leave for winter. They shelter in piles, burrows, and crawl spaces and emerge on warm days.
Where Do Snakes Go in Cold Weather?
One of the most common questions we get in October and November is whether snakes “leave for the winter” in Georgia and Alabama. They don’t, not exactly. Snakes are cold-blooded, so when temperatures drop they enter a state called brumation, which is similar to hibernation but not identical. They don’t sleep through winter; they slow way down and shelter in protected, insulated spots.
In the Southeast, those spots are often:
- Rock piles, wood piles, and dense leaf litter
- Abandoned rodent burrows (which is why a mouse problem in October becomes a snake problem in March)
- Crawl spaces and basement crevices, especially homes without sealed vents or where screen is torn
- Gaps under concrete porches, sheds, and slab additions
- Root balls, tree hollows, and stump cavities
Warm winter afternoons in the South will often bring snakes out briefly to bask, even in January. If you see a snake on a 65-degree February day, it hasn’t “woken up early.” It’s just thermoregulating. The bigger story is where it’s spending the rest of the season, because that shelter spot is almost certainly on or under your property.
What Kind of Snake Is That? A Quick Southeast Field Guide
Most snake sightings in Georgia and Alabama yards turn out to be non-venomous species. Knowing what you’re looking at dramatically changes how much action is needed.
- Eastern Rat Snake (Black Rat Snake), non-venomous. Long, black, strong climber. Often found in attics and shrubs hunting rodents. One of the best natural rodent controls you can have on a property.
- Black Racer, non-venomous. Slender, fast, solid jet-black. Harmless. Feeds on insects, lizards, and small rodents.
- Garter Snake, non-venomous. Small, striped, common near gardens, water features, and rock edges.
- Kingsnake, non-venomous. Black with pale bands. Notable because it actually eats venomous snakes. Leave it alone if you can.
- Copperhead, venomous. Tan body, dark hourglass banding. Hides in pine straw and leaf litter, which makes it the cause of most venomous bites in the Southeast. If you see one, back up and call.
- Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin, venomous. Thick-bodied, found in or near water. Will stand its ground rather than retreat. Call a pro.
- Timber Rattlesnake, venomous. Less common in suburban yards, more common in wooded lots, rural properties, and at elevation. Distinctive rattle, heavy body.
When in doubt, the UGA Extension guide to Snakes of Georgia is the best free identification resource for the region.
When Home Remedies Aren’t Enough
DIY approaches top out fast. Here’s when to stop experimenting and call a professional:
- You’ve confirmed or suspect a venomous species on the property.
- A snake has been inside the house, garage, crawl space, or attic. Inside means an entry point that needs finding and sealing, not a remedy.
- You’re seeing snakes repeatedly in the same spot. More than two sightings in the same part of the yard within a season means there’s harborage or a food source you haven’t found.
- There are kids, pets, or people with limited mobility on the property. The cost-benefit of a professional inspection shifts the moment safety tolerance drops.
(Not sure if it’s time to call? Request a free Northwest inspection and we’ll walk the yard with you, identify what you saw, and lay out what’s worth doing.)
Professional Snake Control & Prevention
Northwest’s wildlife team handles the full snake-control workflow: identification, safe and humane removal, sealing the entry points that let snakes in, and treating the underlying rodent or moisture issue that drew them in the first place. Most of what we do isn’t catching snakes. It’s removing the reason snakes keep showing up. That’s the difference between a one-time removal that repeats next season and a long-term solution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping Snakes Away
Do snake repellents really work?
Most commercial and home-remedy snake repellents offer limited, short-term effects at best. The most reliable way to keep snakes away is removing what attracts them in the first place: rodents, hiding places, standing water, and gaps in the home’s perimeter.
What smells keep snakes away?
Snakes show some sensitivity to strong scents like cinnamon, clove, and cedarwood, but these smells don’t stop a snake tracking prey. Treat scent-based remedies as supplemental at best and never as a standalone plan.
Are snakes dangerous to pets?
Most snakes you’ll encounter in a Southeast yard are non-venomous and not a threat to pets. Copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes are the three venomous species most likely to injure a dog or cat. If your pet is bitten, assume venomous until proven otherwise and go straight to a vet.
Should I try to remove a snake myself?
No, not if you can’t confidently identify it as non-venomous, and not if it’s inside the home. Non-venomous snakes in the yard can usually be left alone or gently encouraged to move on by turning on a sprinkler. Anything else is a job for a pro.
Do mothballs really keep snakes away?
No. Mothballs are not an effective snake repellent and are illegal to use outdoors for that purpose under federal pesticide law. They’re also toxic to pets, kids, and the environment. Skip them entirely.
When home remedies stop working, it’s time to address the rodent or moisture issue feeding the problem.
Ready to Actually Keep Snakes Away?
If you’ve tried a home remedy or two and the snakes keep coming back, the problem isn’t the remedy. It’s the yard. Northwest has been solving snake problems in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina homes for over 70 years, and we solve them by addressing the cause, not just the sighting.
About the Author
Anna V., Editorial Lead — Pest Education leads pest education content for Northwest Exterminating, working with senior technicians and service center managers across our Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina service areas to translate field expertise into homeowner-friendly guides. The focus: accurate, regionally-specific answers to the pest questions Southeast homeowners are actually searching for.
Jan 11, 2019 | DIY, DIY Wildlife Prevention, Wildlife
The winter months can bring wildlife indoors as they search for food and shelter from the cold weather, causing property damage by chewing through the wood, insulation, and wiring in your home, and can also carry diseases that threaten the health of you and your family. What critters should you be concerned about? Most wildlife control services include the exclusion, removal, and control of animals such as squirrels, rodents, raccoons, snakes, bees, and birds. Safe removal of the nuisance critter is always the first priority when it comes to wildlife, but what can you do to prevent these animals from getting into your home or property to begin with? Keep reading for tips on wildlife prevention and bird control.
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors.
- Repair or replace any damaged window and door screens.
- Replace loose mortar around foundations and weatherstripping around windows and doors.
- Inspect the exterior of your home including the siding for damage, holes, and leaks and repair them immediately.
- Repair any holes under exterior stairs, porches, balconies, etc. to keep animals from taking up residence underneath them.
- Install chimney caps.
- Cover the openings to exhaust fans, soffits, attic vents, and utility pipes.
- Inspect your roof annually for water damage and loose or damaged shingles.
- Keep your attic, basement, and crawlspace well ventilated and dry.
- Clean eaves and gutters regularly to prevent debris from building up.
- Don’t leave your garage door open for prolonged periods of time or overnight.
- Keep tree limbs cut back at least 6 to 8 feet from your roof line.
- Store your firewood off the ground and at least 20 feet from your home.
- Keep your grills or barbecues clean and grease-free.
- If you have fruit trees make sure you pick or dispose of ripe fruit and clean up any spoiled fruit that may collect at the base of the trees.
- Clean up leaves and brush and don’t leave them in piles around your property.
- Store your birdseed in secure containers and don’t leave birdseed in your feeders overnight.
- Bring in your pet’s food and water dishes at night.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Dispose of your garbage regularly and use cans that have secure lids.
If you suspect a wildlife problem, contact a professional wildlife control company. A wildlife removal expert will inspect your home to identify the animal nuisance, determine where they are getting in, remove them, and prevent the wildlife from getting into your home in the future. They can also inform you of any existing damage or contamination and provide you with a recommendation for repairs or clean-up.
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