Winter Wildlife Problems
Cold weather drives animals into homes seeking warmth and shelter - here's what to expect
📞 Call Winter Wildlife ExpertsWhy Winter Brings More Wildlife Problems
Survival Instincts Drive Animals Indoors:
- 🥶 Seeking Warmth:
Your heated home is an attractive shelter when temperatures drop below freezing.
- 🍽️ Food Scarcity:
Natural food sources become scarce, driving animals to seek food in homes.
- 🏠 Shelter Needs:
Attics, basements, and wall voids provide perfect winter hideouts.
Winter Weather Creates Entry Points:
- ❄️ Freeze-Thaw Cycles:
Repeated freezing and thawing creates cracks and gaps in building materials.
- 🌨️ Storm Damage:
Winter storms damage roofs, siding, and create new entry points.
- 🌬️ Wind Damage:
High winds loosen shingles, vents, and other potential entry points.
Most Common Winter Wildlife Problems
Mice & Rats
Peak Season: November through March
Cold weather drives rodents indoors seeking warmth and food. They can squeeze through incredibly small openings.
Rodent Control →Squirrels
Peak Season: October through February
Squirrels seek warm attic spaces for winter nests. They're excellent chewers and climbers.
Squirrel Removal →Raccoons
Peak Season: December through February
Raccoons don't hibernate and need warm shelter during cold snaps. Very destructive when they move in.
Raccoon Removal →Opossums
Peak Season: November through March
Opossums seek warm spaces under porches, in crawl spaces, and basements during winter.
Opossum Removal →Skunks
Peak Season: December through February
Skunks den under porches and decks during winter. They don't hibernate but become less active.
Skunk Removal →Birds
Peak Season: November through March
Birds seek warm spaces in vents, chimneys, and attics. Can cause fire hazards by blocking ventilation.
Bird Removal →Winter Wildlife Prevention Checklist
Seal Entry Points
- • Check for storm damage monthly
- • Seal cracks and gaps immediately
- • Install door sweeps and weatherstripping
- • Screen vents and chimneys
- • Repair damaged siding promptly
Remove Food Sources
- • Store pet food in sealed containers
- • Use tight-fitting garbage can lids
- • Clean up bird feeder spills
- • Remove fallen fruit promptly
- • Secure compost bins
Landscape Management
- • Trim tree branches from roof
- • Remove brush piles and debris
- • Clear vegetation from foundation
- • Store firewood away from house
- • Maintain clear sight lines
Winter Wildlife Emergencies
Call Immediately If:
- • Animals are chewing electrical wires (fire hazard)
- • Birds or animals are blocking heating vents
- • You smell gas and suspect animal damage
- • Animals are in living spaces during cold weather
- • You hear animals in walls during extreme cold
- • Skunks are trapped in enclosed spaces
Winter Service Advantages:
- • Animals are easier to locate (concentrated in warm areas)
- • Less competition for nesting sites after removal
- • Exclusion work is more effective in cold weather
- • Prevent spring breeding in your home
- • Avoid expensive heating bill increases
- • Protect insulation from damage
Don't Let Winter Wildlife Take Over Your Home
Cold weather wildlife problems require immediate attention. Call for fast, professional service.