5 Humane Exclusion Strategies for Bats, Squirrels, and Other Critters
As the chilly winds of winter begin to sweep through the Upper Midwest, homeowners might start to notice some uninvited guests seeking warmth and shelter. Bats, squirrels, raccoons, and other critters often look for cozy spots to settle during the colder months, and unfortunately, your home might seem like the perfect hideout. While these creatures may cause concern, it's important to take a humane approach to exclusion and prevention. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to keeping critters out of your home, ensuring both your safety and the well-being of the wildlife.
Recognized Common Signs of Infestations
Knowing what to look for is crucial to detecting an infestation early. Here are some specific signs for common critters:
Bats
- Droppings (Guano): Look for small, dark, and pellet-like droppings near walls, attics, or on windowsills. Bat guano tends to accumulate in piles and has a strong ammonia smell due to uric acid.
- Scratching or Chirping Sounds: Bats are active at night, and you may hear scratching, flapping, or faint chirping sounds coming from the attic or walls.
- Grease Marks: As bats squeeze through small openings, the natural oils from their bodies can leave dark, greasy stains around entry points.
- Flying at Dusk: If you notice bats flying near your home at sunset, there may be a roost nearby or in your home.
Squirrels
- Gnaw Marks: Squirrels chew on wood, wires, and insulation to keep their teeth sharp. Look for gnawed surfaces near roof eaves, soffits, or vents.
- Nests or Debris: Squirrels often build nests using twigs, leaves, and insulation. You might find this debris in the attic or near openings.
- Droppings: Squirrel droppings are oval-shaped, about the size of a jellybean, and often found in attic spaces.
- Noises in the Morning or Evening: Squirrels are most active during these times. Listen for scurrying, scratching, or thumping sounds in the attic or walls.
Raccoons
- Heavy Thumping Sounds: Unlike smaller critters, raccoons are larger and heavier, so their movements may sound like thumps or loud scratches.
- Disturbed Trash: Raccoons are notorious for rummaging through garbage cans. If you find knocked-over bins or scattered trash, they could be nearby.
- Paw Prints: Check for small, hand-like paw prints near entry points, windows, or doors.
- Damage Around Roofs or Chimneys: Raccoons can rip off shingles, chew through soffits, or claw their way into openings.
Rodents (Mice and Rats)
- Droppings: Mouse droppings are small and pellet-shaped, while rat droppings are larger and oval. You’ll often find them along walls, in cupboards, or in basements.
- Gnawed Holes: Mice and rats chew through wood, drywall, and even concrete to create entry points.
- Footprints or Grease Trails: In dusty areas like basements or attics, you might spot tiny footprints or dark smudges along walls where rodents frequently travel.
1. Seal Entry Points: Thorough Inspection and Prevention
The first and most effective step in excluding critters from your home is identifying and sealing potential entry points. Animals can fit through surprisingly small gaps, so an inspection of your home’s exterior and interior is crucial.
Roof and Attic Inspection
Bats are notorious for entering homes through the smallest of gaps, especially around roof vents, chimneys, and worn shingles. Squirrels may gnaw through soffits, fascia boards, and vents. In the Upper Midwest, where harsh winters drive critters to seek warm homes, these areas can become hot spots. Check your roof for missing or damaged shingles and any gaps where animals can sneak through.
Walls, Foundation, and Vents
Animals like squirrels and raccoons are skilled at climbing and entering through gaps around windows, vents, or even cracks in the foundation. It's essential to seal gaps around foundation walls, utility lines, and around windows or doors. Ensure all window screens are intact and tightly fitted. Many critters can squeeze through spaces as small as ¼ inch, so use caulk or expanding foam to fill in any cracks.
Chimney Caps and Flashing
Chimneys can be major entry points, especially for raccoons and bats. Install a high-quality chimney cap with a screen or mesh that prevents animals from entering while still allowing proper airflow. Be sure to check flashing around your chimney for gaps or wear.
How to Seal Entry Points
Once you’ve identified potential entry points, take steps to seal them:
- Use Hardware Cloth or Mesh: Cover larger openings, such as vents and soffits, with ¼-inch hardware cloth or heavy-duty mesh.
- Apply Caulk or Expanding Foam: Fill small cracks and gaps around windows, doors, or foundations with silicone caulk or expanding foam.
- Install Chimney Caps: Use caps made from durable materials to block animals from entering your chimney while maintaining airflow.
- Replace Damaged Boards or Shingles: Replace worn or damaged building materials to prevent animals from creating new openings.
2. Use One-Way Exclusion Devices for Safe Eviction
Once animals have gained access to your home, the next step is humane exclusion. One-way exclusion devices allow animals to exit but prevent them from re-entering. These devices are essential for safely removing critters without causing harm.
Bat Exclusion Tubes
Bats are protected under local and national wildlife laws, so it's critical to handle them with care. Bat exclusion tubes are typically installed at entry points where bats are roosting. These tubes allow the bats to exit at night to hunt for food but prevent them from re-entering once they've left. It's essential to perform bat exclusion efforts after the summer roosting season but before the bats hibernate in late fall or early winter. Avoid exclusion during maternity season (typically from May to August) to prevent separating mothers from their young.
Squirrel Exit Traps
Squirrels often seek shelter in attics or crawl spaces, and once they’re inside, they’re hard to evict. Squirrel-specific exit traps allow squirrels to leave without being harmed. These traps are designed to fit over entry holes and prevent re-entry once the animal exits. Check the traps regularly to ensure the squirrels are safely gone, and remember to inspect the attic afterward for any trapped animals or potential damage.
3. Install Critter-Proof Barriers
If you’re dealing with persistent pests, installing permanent barriers can offer a long-term solution.
Heavy-Duty Mesh
For areas like vents, chimneys, and soffits, install ¼-inch or smaller mesh to keep out small critters like bats, squirrels, and mice. The mesh should be attached securely to prevent any gaps that animals might exploit. It’s essential to regularly inspect these barriers, especially after severe weather, to ensure they remain intact.
Exclusion Fencing for Ground-Dwelling Critters
For ground-dwelling pests like raccoons, skunks, or groundhogs, exclusion fencing can be a helpful deterrent. Fencing should be buried at least 12 inches underground to prevent digging, and it should extend at least 3 feet high to keep critters from climbing over. Fencing can be combined with a motion-activated light or noise deterrent to add an extra layer of protection.
4. Remove Attractants Around Your Home
One of the best ways to prevent critters from seeking shelter in your home is to remove any food sources or attractants from your yard and around your property.
- Secure Trash and Compost: Raccoons, squirrels, and even skunks can rummage through trash bins in search of food. Ensure all trash cans have tight-fitting lids and are stored in a secure area, such as a shed or garage. If you have a compost pile, ensure it’s contained in a critter-proof bin.
- Eliminate Bird Feeders: While bird feeders can be a lovely addition to your yard, they can also attract squirrels, raccoons, and even rodents. If you must feed birds, use squirrel-proof feeders, and place them far away from your home to reduce the chances of critters seeking shelter nearby.
- Remove Food for Small Animals: Pet food, fallen fruit from trees, or garden vegetables can also draw in unwanted guests. Keep pet food stored in sealed containers and pick up fallen fruit regularly. If you have a garden, consider using fencing to protect it from rodents and other pests.
5. Natural Deterrents: Gently Nudge Critters Away
If you don’t want to use traps or exclusion devices immediately, there are several natural deterrents that can help convince critters to move on.
- Citrus Peels: Many critters, especially bats and squirrels, dislike the smell of citrus. Placing citrus peels near entry points or in areas where animals are active can help to repel them. The scent of lemon, lime, and orange is unpleasant to most small animals.
- Peppermint Oil: The strong scent of peppermint oil can deter critters like rodents, bats, and even some larger mammals like raccoons. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in corners, entry points, or other areas where animals might enter. You can also create a peppermint spray by diluting the oil in water and spraying it around entry points or along potential pathways.
- Mothballs: Mothballs have a pungent smell that is disliked by many animals, including squirrels and raccoons. While effective, mothballs should be used cautiously, as the strong scent can be harmful to pets or children if ingested. Always use them in areas that are not easily accessible to pets.
When to Call the Experts
If exclusion efforts aren’t successful or if the infestation is more extensive than you can manage, it may be time to call in professional pest control experts. Look for a licensed pest control company with experience in humane rodent, bat, and wildlife exclusion and relocation. In the Upper Midwest, many companies understand the local wildlife laws and offer solutions that align with state regulations regarding bat protection, as well as other wildlife concerns.
Our professional team at Olson's Pest Technicians has the right tools, expertise, and knowledge to safely remove critters from your home, seal entry points, and offer long-term solutions to prevent future invasions. Plus, we can handle wildlife situations in compliance with local and federal laws, ensuring that both you and the animals are protected.
Learn more about our rodent control and bat control. To help with repair, our team also offers insulation replacement services. Contact our team today to learn more!