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If you have a yard or a garden, chances are high that you have animal pests such as squirrels, raccoons and skunks among others. And even if you don’t have trees in your home, sometimes some of these animals get so pesky that they will definitely damage crops and even pop the buds on the flowers so as to get the seeds or even tender insides of the buds.

Worse still, animal pests will dig up your flower corms and bulbs. You don’t want these animals to damage your yard or garden or just ruin the hard work you have always put into that beautiful garden. Are you wondering how to keep these animals out of your home? Keep reading this article because there are better and simple ways to help you in doing so:

Use sunflower seeds in the feeders

It is advised never to allow bird seeds to hoard under feeders. Bird seeds are known to draw animals such as squirrels. You can use corn or sunflower seeds instead of bird seeds because they appeal to songbirds. And songbirds are great because they scare the opossums, raccoons and squirrel from a home.

Secure your receptacles

Always secure trash receptacles with leads, however hard it may seem. Your trash should be deposited into a sealed container. And always make sure that your garbage bins are tidy so as to keep these animals from coming for food. These animals are always in search of food and your garbage bins, bags or boxes are a good source if you don’t keep them clean.

Proper fencing

Proper fencing around your property keeps away all the intruders, be it animals or individuals. Fences made of wire mesh and thoroughly netted cannot easily allow these animals to invade. Skunks are poor climbers, so if you put up a fence, you will discourage them from climbing. Possible access points such as the attic, under decks, chimneys and porches should be secured with wire or metal seals.

Repair any damage along the fences and check regularly because these animals take advantage of any opening to gain their entry. And you can also guard plants with fences. While they may not look attractive, these fences could be the surest ways to keep some animal pests away. If for instance you want to protect your plants from the deer, you can encircle your plants with 1.8m tall cages.

Clear areas that act as potential shelter

You want to do away with the potential shelter areas for these animals. Clear the area, cut tall grass and clear debris from the yard. Wood should be stack away from the house. Dead trees should be stamped out and any of the tall trees that can allow access to your roof should be trimmed down to a ten feet gap from your roof.

Use repellants

You can also use repellants to keep away these animals from your property or the plants in your garden. Repellants can be the plant sprays and scent capsules among others. These animal pests can be scared by smells and taste. In your home, there are natural ingredients for instance garlic oil, cinnamon, clove oil and capsaicin that can work wonders when it comes to scaring pests away.

Other repellants include predator urine or ground chili. These items irritate the animal’s nasal passage or the mouth, so they won’t want to come back for them. You should note that some of these repellants could work for a short period of time, especially if these animals get used to it.

Frightening devices

Use of frightening devices can keep wild animals at bay too. You can use guard animals, strobe lights, balloons with eye spots, or plastic owls and reflective tape. Balloons with eye spots will scare the animals away as they will think that these are humans.

Flood their home

You also want to flood the animals’ burrows. Because these animals won’t have a home after the flooding, they have to find another home elsewhere. Most animals want to go for drier ground, so they will stay away from the burrows you have flooded.

Scare them off with water

The market has made available scarecrow sprinklers that look like your regular sprinklers. However, these ones have a battery powered motion sensor, so any animal that gets in that path gets a sudden, intense blast of water.

As you can see, there are many safe ways that you can employ to get rid of animal pests. You may want to use them in a combination if you want get rid of these animals completely. And it is always imperative to consult with wildlife control professionals because they know how to deal with these animals better.

At Sande Wildlife Control, we know how important it is to have animal pests removed from homes. If you have any questions about pest removal such as raccoon removal or squirrel removal, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Raccoons can be a nuisance in most homes because apart from competing with humans for food, they also cause damage, lots of it that you won’t wait any longer to have these animals removed from your home. They will dig up your garden, spoil the crops, kill birds, cause damage to the attic and chimneys, and are also noisy.

But there is one big problem that these animals are known to cause in homes; that of spreading deadly diseases. This article has compiled a list of some of the deadly diseases that raccoons spread. It is always important to consult with wildlife control professionals to have these creatures removed from your home. Here are some of the diseases that are spread by raccoons:

Raccoons and toxocariasis

This is a potentially deadly disease that most people have never heard of. Raccoons are known to be the carriers of roundworms that cause this disease. If you work in the soil and fail to wash your hands, the roundworms’ eggs are likely to get into your stomach as you eat. Surprisingly, these eggs can survive stomach acid and can get to your eyes, brain or lever and as your immune system tries to fight the roundworms, it will destroy the surrounding tissues as well as the worms. Always wash your hands after handling the soil to prevent these worms from getting into your body.

Rabies from raccoons

Raccoons are also known to spread rabies, a viral infection of the brain and central nervous system. You should note that if detected early, this condition can be corrected. But this is a deadly disease because in some cases it is not treatable. The virus causes the release of toxins in the brain and the nervous system, thus producing some behavioral changes, and through extreme inflammation of the brain, this virus can cause death. If you are bitten by this animal, see your doctor immediately to receive rabies shots. And if you spot a raccoon in your yard, make sure that you have it removed by professionals because they have better and safe ways of doing so.

Raccoons and leptospirosis

This is another deadly disease spread by raccoons. This bacterial infection has similar symptoms to those of flu. The good news is that this condition is manageable especially in the early stages, but if the infection attacks someone’s liver and kidneys, it can be deadly. The kidneys won’t be able to regulate the normal acid-base balance and the patient may experience jaundice in the liver. The disease will also cause inflammation of the patient’s heart and brain, a condition that is fatal. Usually, raccoons pass these bacteria in their urine and as long as it comes in contact with water, it will remain viable. Dogs, in particular will lap up the infected water and then transmit the disease into the household.

Raccoons and tularemia

Raccoons acquire this plaque-like disease when they eat jackrabbits and small rodents, and once you handle the carcasses of the infected raccoon, you are likely to contract this bacterial disease. This disease leaves the tip of your fingers swollen, and if you rub your eyes the germ can spread and cause painful swelling in the eyes. Always wear gloves if you are to handle dead raccoons and if you see some signs of the disease, don’t wait to see your doctor. And you can always seek pest removal services in your area so as to avoid these diseases.

Raccoons and Lyme disease

These animals also carry the ticks that are known to carry Lyme disease. Raccoons will acquire these Lyme disease carriers in areas that have high grass. These are also cold-winter areas. The good thing about this disease is that it is treatable if noted earlier. Don’t accept to host raccoons in your home; the damage they cause is irreparable.

Raccoons and mites

These creatures can also transmit mites. These are the mites that lead to ear and mange problems to your cats and dogs, by direct physical contact. And don’t expect to have a peaceful mind and overall wellbeing if your pets are infected.

Raccoons and salmonella or E.coli

Did you know that some of the foodstuffs we buy are contaminated with a few salmonella or E.coli bacteria? If you eat the food right away, the bacteria will dissolve in the stomach’s acid, but the funny thing is that you don’t get sick. Because the foodstuffs we throw in the garbage carry lots of these bacteria, if raccoons come into contact with it, it will definitely stay with them. Then, it releases these bacteria through the feces, which is likely to get into your household if you have pets.

There are many other diseases that these animal pests can spread. It is therefore important to ensure that you get rid of raccoons if you spot them in your home. Professionals can assist you in that and you can contact us at Sande Wildlife Control. We are ready to make your home raccoon-free.

Uninvited animals frequent homes because there is a food source or because they find it a safe place to stay. So, they find their way into your household and resolve to stay and over time, they become a bother. If you are facing any difficulty with pest removal, all you need is an animal elimination specialist who will provide expert solutions. These experts ensure that animal removal is done decently and without harming them. And exclusion of the animal pests should be done at the moment you discover their dwelling place.

These animals are attracted to areas where they can easily gain access to food sources such as vegetables and areas that can offer warm shelter that will shield them. They like hidden places such as the attics, chimneys and basements and if you ignore their elimination early, then this will make it much more problematic to eliminate it later on. The moment you spot the animals’ dwelling, thwart it or contact a wildlife eradicator to do so. This is because it will build or create a shelter, produce young ones and draw others to shelter in your household. Here are some of the reasons as to why you should remove them from your home:

They stink

There are many causes of foul odor by these animal pests. Some of the lewd odor can be organic in nature or from the animal’s urine, feces and vomit. These animals also might die and leave a very repulsive smell in your home. Tracing the dead animal can be a problem even as it continues to pollute the environment. Certain stinks are supplementary with the animal whether dead or alive. A proper way of keeping these animals from your home is to ensure that it is appropriately maintained and your outdoor environment is always clean. This will keep them away from your household and the outdoor property should not be left in disarray too.

Health hazard

However small these animals can be, they can be very hazardous, unsafe and can cause extensive harm both to your health and home. They carry diseases such rabies as well as other parasites and bacteria. Some animals carry bacteria that are known to cause the salmonella disease. Experts dealing with animal removal have the right tools and give awareness necessary to ensure there is a safe removal of the animal from property without wounding it or themselves. And a good thing is that these animals can even be moved to a more suitable location. An expert will also help in cleaning the animal’s shelter, droppings, offspring and leftovers in order to prevent spreading of germs.

Safety

The animal’s habitation must not be interfered with unless you are fully prepared. This is because you could be putting your own safety in danger. Some animals if threatened can choose to attack you, so if you are not sure where to start, it is important to consult the experts. Getting rid of any pest entails proper planning and use of proper procedure. It is advised to allow authorized and trained personnel to carry out the removal process because they will successfully help out in eliminating the uninvited guest without causing injury to them or your family.

Damage

Rodents such as squirrels are very fond of chewing things such as wood and wires because their front teeth grow continuously and allow them do so. This growth always makes them want to chew all the time. Squirrels are well-known to have triggered electrical fires in the urban areas because of the constant chewing of wires such as the power lines, telephone wires and TV cables.

Other than wires, they also dig holes just around their dwellings to mark their territory. A simple way to keep them from chewing the wood is by sprinkling hot sauce on the wood. And you can cover the holes with steel metal. If the problem persists you can contact a professional to help out in keeping squirrels, skunks, bats and all these other intruders out of your home.

Noise

Some of these animal pests always make noise at night or very early in the morning. The noise comes as a result of scratching, digging, chewing and running around the house. You may hear gnawing in their hiding places as they chew or try to mark their territory. These animals are full of activity. You will find some jumping and running on power lines and fence tops.

If you are tired of hosting these animal pests, you need to act fast. You want to engage the professionals in the removal process so as to prevent the animals from coming back. At Sande Wildlife Control, we have all the skills necessary to remove such unwanted visitors. Just contact us today for your animal control needs. We will be pleased to work with you!

During winter, wild animals will often go to great lengths to seek shelter. As the winds pick up and temperatures drop, animals like skunks, raccoons, squirrels, mice, bats and other creatures go looking for warmth and safety. In most cases, these animals can end up in basements, attics and in the chimney. They can also decide to make their winter home under your deck or porch. If you are looking for ways to keep wildlife out of your home this winter, there are tips that can help. Apart from learning prevention tips, you will also find out how to get rid of unwanted visitors that have already taken up residence.

• Find the hidden entrances

One thing you need to know is that wildlife will often find spaces or entry points that may seem too small. Do not ignore holes, gaps and other spaces in the foundation that you consider to be too tiny. Look for all vulnerable spots in your home including entry points located high up on the building. Document all the spots as you plan for repairs and you can do this by taking photos. Look around pipes and cables for any openings. Check to see if the fascia boards or the trim is deteriorating. Inspect the attic vents for tears or holes in the screening and make sure that your chimney is capped. Remember that a mouse can gain entry through a hole that is less than half an inch!

• Look for signs of invasion

You need to find out if you have animals already resident in your home. If you suspect that an animal has taken up residence in your home, you need to be very careful how you proceed. You have to ensure that you do not end up trapping the animal inside your home. A trapped animal can cause havoc in your home as it attempts to get out. Whether it is a mother trying to get to its babies or the babies trying to get out, the animals can end up causing serious damage. If squirrels and other animals are not able to claw or chew their way out, they may end up dying and you have the decomposing odor to deal with.

• Keeping the animals out

After confirming that you do not have animals already in residence, you need to do what you can to keep them out. The first thing you should do is to seal all entry points and to do this you have to use the right materials. If you have an opening that is smaller than one or two inches, you can use caulking or copper mesh and expandable foam to plug it. Use materials that will prevent entry of the animals that can chew different materials. Metal mesh material will keep the animals out while ensuring that you make the space weather-tight. If you have a larger opening, use the original building materials, hardware cloth or metal flashing to repair the hole.

• Hiring a builder

Some repairs are easy to deal with but for some situations, you need to hire a professional. If you need to cap the chimney, it is usually best to hire a professional builder. Make sure that the person performing the task inspects the space first to make sure there are no animals hiding in the chimney. Using a flashlight, the builder can inspect the flue from the top to the bottom. It is important to use a sturdy good quality cap and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It might be necessary to hire a professional to work on the porch or deck too. In some cases, it may be wiser to leave burrowing animals that are under the deck or porch until after winter.

• Hiring an animal control company

Sometimes, even after hiring a builder, he might inform you that there is no way he can evacuate existing wildlife found in nooks in your house. This is because he lacks the skills to do so. In such a situation, you should always count on a professional animal control company to help you remove the wildlife before letting the builder continue his work.

• Keep up with repairs

When you seal areas that animals use to access your property, you should make sure that you keep up with repairs. Periodically inspecting your home will help to ensure that the animals do not come back. You have to remember that the animals do not give up easily especially if they think they have found the perfect home. Performing your spring and fall cleanup should include looking for any signs of animal and pest intrusion. The inspection will not only help to keep animals out, it will also make the home weather-tight and keep your repair bill low.

Securing your home for winter will give you much needed peace of mind. The animals can know from the beginning that they need to look elsewhere for winter shelter. Remember also that besides winter, as the mating season approaches, the expectant animals may be looking at your home as a place where they can raise their young. The animals look for safe, warm and dry spaces and your home may be offering just that!

When you decide to go camping, you are basically moving into animals’ territory. You are bound to run into the wildlife while staying in the wilderness and this contributes to the great outdoor experience! While it is true that you want to enjoy all the sights and sounds that come with the wilderness, it does not mean that you should allow the animals to take over your campsite. Unwanted wildlife can be destructive and scary and it can end up ruining your camping experience. Fortunately, there are tips that can help to prevent the unwanted guests along with the damage they bring with them.

Choosing the best camping location

Before you decide to set up camp, you need to assess your surroundings. Look for tracks that indicate the presence of wildlife. If you notice tracks in or around the campsite where you want to set up, you need to evaluate if they were left by an animal that could be a threat. While deer track are not likely to be much of a problem, the same cannot be said of wolf or bear tracks. Signs of the dangerous animal’s presence could mean that they visit the campsite looking for food. If you are concerned that the animal may return, talk to the campground manager or park ranger or move to a different campsite!

Do not feed the wildlife

One of the biggest mistakes that first time campers make is that they feed the wildlife. You might think that it is harmless to feed the cute squirrel or chipmunk hanging around, but this might actually attract larger animals. Any food that is left behind by the smaller animals acts as bait to lure larger animals. Make sure that you clean up the area around your picnic table after every meal and remember that even the smell of food can attract the unwanted wildlife. Make sure that you obey signs that caution against feeding the wildlife!

Be careful about food scents

Any time you are out in the wilderness, you should remember that scents are more powerful than you might think. Make sure that you keep all food in airtight and animal proof containers. Remember that smells can get out even if the container does not leak. Wild animals have a very strong sense of smell and they can easily smell food in plastic bags and they often rip the bags to access the food. Bears and raccoons that hang around campsites are capable of opening plastic food containers and coolers. If you are not sure whether your containers are animal proof, leave them locked in your camper or truck.

Keep everything clean

Anyone will tell you that cleanliness is an important defense against animal and pest control. Keeping things clean will help to deter the unwanted wildlife. Clean up after meals and get rid of wrappers, drippings, food scraps and garbage that can attract hungry animals. Make sure that you put items away in the approved garbage cans that are located away from the campsite. Any items that you cannot dispose of right away should be placed in an airtight container and locked in the camper or vehicle trunk. Avoid throwing garbage into a campfire as it smells like food while burning. Clean the cooking equipment and surfaces that the food might have touched to eliminate any smell of food.

Be careful of other odors

It is important to know that animals are not just attracted to the smell of food; they will also want to follow unknown smells. Most perfumes, colognes and beauty products contain pheromones that are designed to be attractive. They attract not just humans but also different animals. The curiosity of the unknown smells, even those of soap and deodorant, can attract different animals to your campsite. To keep away unwanted nighttime visitors, avoid using strong scents while out in the wilderness and put away any clothing that might have the scents.

Dealing with curious animals

You need to know that most animals are simply curious and they are likely to wander into your campsite just to check things out! All your careful cleaning, packing and planning may not necessarily work to keep the animals away. New sounds and structures will draw the animal’s natural curiosity and as long as it does not enter your campsite, you should treat it with respect. Remember that in this case you are the invader. You can move to a more secure area and make sure you avoid sudden movements and loud noises that can scare the animal. Unless the animals pose danger to you, you should learn to enjoy their presence as much as possible.

When planning your camping trip, it helps to talk to a wildlife expert so that you can find out all you can about wildlife. You can get some additional tips about keeping the animals away from your campsite. You can purchase products like bear spray that will help to keep you safe. Remember that it is never a good idea to engage wildlife unless you have no choice.