As a homeowner, it’s nice to know that your home is yours and yours alone—in addition to whichever family members, significant others, roommates or pets you share it with. Unfortunately, sometimes we get unexpected flying, crawling and scurrying house guests that we would rather not see in our living spaces. Detecting the presence of certain uninvited household critters is important to getting them out—and keeping them out.
It’s spring, and that means most animals are in their active stages of reproduction—making it a relevant time to brush up on some common uninvited household critters. Here are a few forms of wildlife that you may experience as a homeowner—and how to tell if they have taken up residence in your home.
- Squirrels are a common uninvited household critter—both outside of the home and inside. They can not only cause structural damage to a home, but they can do damage by chewing wires, insulation and young trees or chewing garden plants.
Look for: squirrels excessively running along utility lines, on the roof or entering an attic or chimney space.
- The word alone makes most of us shudder. According to the National Pest Management Association, rodents seek shelter in more than 21 million homes across the country—with mice being the most common species to turn into uninvited household critters. Look for: droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, rub marks. Listen for: strange noises in walls—especially at night.
- Don’t let their cute masks fool you. Raccoons pose a threat due to their potential to spread disease, damage property and even attack pets.
Look for: structural damage to attics, overturned trash cans, partially-eaten garden items. Listen for: noises at night.
- Like many of the animals on this list, bats tend to reproduce in the spring. As creatures of habit, they like to roost in the same place over and over again—typically in the spring or summer. Though less than 1 percent of bats actually carry rabies, they can be carriers of other diseases.
Listen for: noises that sound like fluttering or squeaking, most often at night.
- Obviously, it is unlikely that deer will take up residence inside your home; however, they can pose issues if they are hanging out around your yard. Deer like to feed on several of the plants and trees commonly found in yards—and anything that might be growing in your garden. They can also damage trees by rubbing their antlers against them.
Look for: droppings, hoof prints, trees with rubbed bark.
If you are having issues with any of these uninvited household critters, you can usually find some simple do-it-yourself solutions online, but you should always consider calling a pest or wildlife control professional to ensure the safety of yourself and your family.
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