When animals get into your home, they can cause serious problems for both your property and your health. They can spread germs, damage your house, and create ongoing headaches that aren’t easy to fix. Learn the behaviors of common animals that invade homes and how to stop them.
Insects: Ants and Cockroaches
Ants and cockroaches are drawn to homes by food crumbs and moisture, which makes kitchens and bathrooms their favorite spots. Ants leave visible trails to food sources, while cockroaches prefer dark, damp areas to hide. Keeping your home clean, storing food in sealed containers, and fixing leaks can go a long way in keeping these pests at bay.
To control infestations, seal up cracks in your foundation and around utility lines to block their entry. Ant baits work well because the ants take the poison back to their colony, which wipes them out over time. For cockroaches, using gel baits and insect growth regulators (IGRs) can disrupt their life cycle and reduce their numbers.
Rodents: Mice and Rats
Mice and rats often sneak into homes in search of food and shelter. If they enter your home, you might notice droppings, find chewed-up materials, or hear scratching noises in your walls or ceilings. Since they can squeeze through tiny gaps, sealing up every possible entry point is the first step to keeping them out.
There are many ways to stop rodents from moving indoors. Focus on exclusion by installing door sweeps and sealing cracks with steel wool or special sealants. Traps, like snap traps or multi-catch devices, can help reduce their numbers, especially when baited with the right attractants. For bigger infestations, rodenticides might be needed, but they should be used carefully to avoid harming pets or other animals.
Wildlife: Raccoons and Squirrels
Raccoons and squirrels can cause major damage by breaking into roofs, vents, or chimneys to find a safe place to nest. They can ruin insulation, chew through wires, and leave behind waste that’s both messy and hazardous. Look for signs like damaged soffits or tracks to catch the problem early.
To keep them out, secure chimneys and attic vents with heavy-duty wire mesh and fix any weak spots in your home’s exterior. If they’ve already moved in, one-way doors can let them leave without letting them back in. For situations involving baby animals, it’s best to call a professional to ensure humane removal and relocation.
Insects, rodents, and small wildlife are common animals that invade homes. You can stop them with prevention tools, cleanliness, and, when needed, direct removal. Prevention is always easier than dealing with a full-blown infestation. To keep your house pest-free, regularly inspect your home and seal entry points.
