Tips for Handling Wild Animals in Your Home | Billy.com
Nature is best observed at a distance, and when it invades your home, it’s not a good situation for man or beast. But sometimes critters have a way of invading your space, taking up residence, and messing things up. Cute they may be, but when wildlife comes into your domicile, it can put your health at risk, ruin your insulation and utilities, and lead to further troubles if it decides to breed. Get wildlife out of your home in the gentlest and safest way possible with these tips for handling wild animals in your home.
Keep Your Cool
Even the smallest critter can cause alarm if it’s agitated enough. If you find an animal inside your house, keep cool and do nothing to agitate it. If you start freaking out, the animal will likely do the same. Resist the urge to shoo it away, shake a broom at it, or what have you. You don’t want to provoke it into defending itself. Keep an eye on it while remaining at a distance from it as you call for a pest control company to come and remove it. No matter what, though, stay calm.
Take Its Picture
This goes beyond merely snapping shots to share on social media or with your friends. On the off chance that the animal wanders away, leaves your home, or retreats to whatever literal hole in the wall it’s staying in, a visual record will come in handy for the pest control people. Where you see one critter, there may be many, and being able to identify the beast is an immense help. Yes, everyone knows what a squirrel, raccoon, or similar creature looks like, but it’s better to be able to show a picture than to try to describe what you saw to help the pest control company plot its next moves.
Keep Pets Away
Your cat or dog will probably be aware of the intruder before you are, often inexplicably growling, hissing, or otherwise acting strangely. Mice, voles, and other small creatures won’t put up much of a fight, but if a larger animal is involved, keep your pets far away from the animal. Your pet may have an exaggerated notion of their fighting abilities; plus, they may be facing potential teeth and claws, disease, and even parasites that can jump from the critter to them.
Make It Easy for Animals To Move On
Here’s the last of our tips for handling wild animals in your home: sometimes, if you simply leave the window or door open, the animal will mosey off. Animals stuck in window wells are easier to help out, but you should leave indoor critters be until the pros show up.
After they have removed the animal, make your home less inviting. Look for holes in the walls, roof, and foundation, and—once you’re sure they critter is gone—seal them up. Add sweeps to the doors, fix screens, and ensure your chimney is capped.
