Tips & Tricks
How to Know If You Have a Wildlife Infestation: Signs, Risks, and What to Do
Long Island Wild Life Control is your trusted partner in maintaining a nuisance-free and comfortable home environment. Wildlife infestations can be more than just a nuisance; they can pose serious risks to your home, health, and safety. Identifying the early signs of a wildlife infestation is crucial to mitigating potential damage and ensuring the problem is handled swiftly. At Long Island Wild Life Control, we believe that early detection is the first line of defense against pests. This guide will help you recognize the telltale signs of a wildlife infestation, understand the risks involved, and offer tips on what to do if you suspect unwanted critters have taken up residence in your home.
Common Signs of a Wildlife Infestation
1. Unusual Noises - One of the first indicators of a wildlife infestation is the presence of strange noises in your home. Scratching, scurrying, or squeaking sounds, especially at night, are often signs of rodents or other small animals in your walls, attic, or crawl spaces. Larger animals, such as raccoons or squirrels, might cause more noticeable thumping or rustling noises.
2. Droppings and Urine - Finding animal droppings or urine stains around your home is a clear sign of a wildlife infestation. The size, shape, and location of droppings can help identify the type of animal you're dealing with. Rodents typically leave small, pellet-like droppings, while larger animals like raccoons leave more substantial waste.
3. Nesting Material - Wildlife often brings in materials to create nests. You may find shredded paper, insulation, leaves, or fabric in hidden areas like attics, basements, or behind appliances. Nests are a strong indicator that animals are living in your home and may be breeding.
4. Entry Points and Damage - Inspect your home for any visible damage, such as gnawed wires, chewed wood, or holes in walls and roofs. Rodents and other animals will often create entry points to access food, water, and shelter inside your home. Look for small gaps around doors, windows, vents, and the foundation.
5. Tracks and Footprints - If you notice footprints, paw prints, or tail marks in dusty or muddy areas of your home, it’s a good sign that animals have been roaming around. Identifying these tracks can help determine what kind of wildlife you’re dealing with.
6. Unpleasant Odors - A strong, unusual odor could indicate a wildlife infestation. The smell could be from animal waste, dead animals, or nesting materials. For instance, a musky odor may suggest the presence of a raccoon, while a more pungent, ammonia-like smell might indicate a rodent infestation.
7. Pet Behavior - Pets like dogs and cats often sense wildlife before humans do. If your pet is barking, pawing, or fixating on a specific area of your home, it could be trying to alert you to to an intruder.
Risks of a Wildlife Infestation
Wildlife infestations pose several risks that go beyond simple inconvenience:
Structural Damage: Animals can cause significant damage to your home’s structure by chewing through wires, insulation, wood, and drywall.
Health Hazards: Wildlife can carry diseases, bacteria, and parasites that may be harmful to humans. For example, rodents can spread hantavirus, and raccoons can carry rabies.
Fire Hazards: Rodents are notorious for chewing on electrical wires, which can lead to short circuits and potentially cause fires.
Contamination: Animal waste can contaminate surfaces, food, and water sources within your home, leading to health risks.
Structural Damage: Animals can cause significant damage to your home’s structure by chewing through wires, insulation, wood, and drywall.
Health Hazards: Wildlife can carry diseases, bacteria, and parasites that may be harmful to humans. For example, rodents can spread hantavirus, and raccoons can carry rabies.
Fire Hazards: Rodents are notorious for chewing on electrical wires, which can lead to short circuits and potentially cause fires.
Contamination: Animal waste can contaminate surfaces, food, and water sources within your home, leading to health risks.
What to Do If You Suspect a Wildlife Infestation
Inspect Your Home - Conduct a thorough inspection of your home, focusing on the signs mentioned above. Look for entry points, droppings, and nesting materials.
Seal Entry Points - Once you’ve identified potential entry points, seal them to prevent more animals from entering. Use materials like steel wool, caulk, and metal sheeting, which are difficult for animals to chew through.
Set Traps or Use Deterrents - Depending on the type of wildlife, you can set humane traps or use deterrents like ultrasonic devices, predator urine, or natural repellents to keep animals away.
Call a Professional - For larger infestations or if you’re unsure about handling the situation yourself, it’s best to contact a professional wildlife removal service. They have the expertise and equipment to safely and effectively remove animals from your home.
Set Traps or Use Deterrents - Depending on the type of wildlife, you can set humane traps or use deterrents like ultrasonic devices, predator urine, or natural repellents to keep animals away.
Call a Professional - For larger infestations or if you’re unsure about handling the situation yourself, it’s best to contact a professional wildlife removal service. They have the expertise and equipment to safely and effectively remove animals from your home.
Clean and Sanitize - After the animals have been removed, clean and sanitize the affected areas to remove any droppings, urine, or nesting materials. This will help eliminate odors and reduce the risk of disease.
Prevention Tips
Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect your home for signs of wildlife and potential entry points.
Proper Waste Management: Keep garbage cans sealed and store food in airtight containers.
Yard Maintenance: Trim trees and bushes away from your home, and remove any outdoor food sources that might attract wildlife.
Proper Waste Management: Keep garbage cans sealed and store food in airtight containers.
Yard Maintenance: Trim trees and bushes away from your home, and remove any outdoor food sources that might attract wildlife.
Don't Wait Until the Problem Gets Worse. Call the Wildlife Control Experts at Long Island Wildlife Control Today.
Wildlife infestations can be a serious issue, but by staying vigilant and recognizing the signs early, you can protect your home and health. Whether it’s the sound of scurrying in the walls or the sight of droppings in the attic, don’t ignore the signs. Take action to address the infestation and prevent future occurrences. If in doubt, always consult a professional to ensure your home remains safe and secure.
At Long Island Wildlife Control, we are committed to delivering exceptional service and helping you create a critter-free haven for you and your loved ones. Should you require our expertise or suspect a significant pest issue, our skilled professionals are just a phone call away. Trust us to provide effective treatments and reliable solutions that bring you peace of mind.
Remember, when it comes to pest prevention, Long Island Wildlife Control is your go-to partner. Let us help you protect your home and ensure a nuisance-free living environment for years to come.
Diminish Pests on Your Property Once And For All.
Contact the pest control experts at Long Island Wildlife Control today.