Pests Are a Common Nuisance When the Cold Comes

The past week has felt nothing like winter, but as the cold finally starts to set in, you might be in for a few unwanted house guests. The first sign of an animal intrusion is likely the noise. Late at night when all should be quiet, you might be woken up to squeaking, rustling, or even hissing somewhere above your head. As the nights start to get cold, mice, rats, raccoons, possums, and other small animals start looking for warmer shelter, and attics are a popular place for them to reside. What’s important is to take action quickly, before they start to get too settled in and begin to nest where they shouldn’t. 

Generally, the noise that the animal makes will tell you what you’re dealing with. Squeaking or chewing sounds are likely rats, scurrying is probably a squirrel or mouse, and snarls or hissing is usually a raccoon. While some of these animals are looking for a place to call home, others may have ended up in your attic by accident and are looking for a way out. It’s a good idea to know the difference.

Almost all animals are likely to chew through wiring and bigger ones like raccoons or possums can tear apart insulation and ruin ductwork. Even small mice can make unwanted nests and leave an awful smell from their excrement. Although dealing with animal removal is a pretty awful job, leaving an unwanted visitor alone will end up costing you a lot more than sleep. If removing pests isn’t on your resume, call in an exterminator to take care of the problem. 

If you have mice or rats, they have likely moved in because there is a water source. Simple bait traps will help get the ones that are already there, but a mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime, so rodent proofing is essential. You’ll also want to inspect for any roof leaks as part of the job.

Squirrels are one of the animals I mentioned that might have come in accidentally. They usually prefer it outside and will be looking for a way to leave your home. Soffits and vents are likely places for squirrels to be able to get in so your best bet is to install an exclusion door that lets the rodents out so they can’t get back in. 

A one-way door will also work for raccoons, who don’t mind sticking around if they find a warm, dark and comfy place to live. However, since raccoons are nocturnal, you can make your attic less accommodating by leaving the lights on and even playing music. They’ll soon look for somewhere else to live. 

Bats are elusive in that they are very quiet and you might not even hear them unless there is a decent size colony making their home in yours. Removal is key and should only be done by a registered DEEP specialist as bats can be diseased. 

Finally, there are possums which, similar to raccoons, won’t want to leave. These guys are pretty resilient and they go to the bathroom everywhere, leaving a huge, smelly mess behind. The best method to get rid of a possum is to have it trapped and removed by a professional. Happy animal proofing friends!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Chipmunks Digging Up Your Yard? Say So Long Without Harming Them

Have you noticed that there seems to be an explosion of chipmunks this year? Everywhere I look, there they are, scurrying around, having the time of their lives, and digging up my lawn. So what gives? Is it just me or has there been a love of loving going on in the rodent department?

It turns out that the mild winter and a mast year for acorns this past fall are both to blame for our abundance of chipmunks. More food and warmer temperatures seem simple enough - plenty of opportunities to store up supplies and a fairly comfortable climate to do it. So now that we know why, the next question is what can we do about it?

Chipmunks are relatively harmless in that they are small, non-aggressive, and will generally skedaddle at the first sight of a human. However, they are burrowing animals and spend most of the winter underground where they sleep, live, and bring their food to store. This is the reason why you may be seeing small holes in your yard and flower beds. It’s more than likely that a chipmunk is trying to make a home there. 

While it’s annoying, these holes are usually just below the surface and aren’t cause for concern other than being unsightly. However, in rare cases, chipmunks can begin burrowing near foundations, especially around stairs, porches, and patios. The most common annoyance is generally for gardeners as chipmunks aren’t shy about devouring seeded fruits, vegetables, or flower bulbs. Birdseed and pet food also provide easy meals that will keep them hanging around. 

So if you have chipmunks in your yard and you want to get rid of them in a non-harmful way, you have a few options. First, be sure to remove anything that provides nuts, seeds, and berries, as this makes their job of foraging easier. Chipmunks have an amazing sense of smell and can’t stand some of the foods and flowers we love such as garlic and daffodils. Planting a few natural repellents will help keep the critters at bay. Any herbs or plants that are oil-producing such as peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, and eucalyptus are also fantastic deterrents. 

Finally, don’t give chipmunks easy places to hide. Wood piles, leaf debris, and old stone walls are perfect homes for chipmunks to get comfortable. By keeping your yard clean and free of food and shelter, the chipmunks will have nowhere else to go but your neighbor's yard. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Warmth Seeking Pests Are a Common Nuisance As the Cold Sets In

The first sign of an animal intruding in your home is likely the noise. Late at night when all should be quiet, you might be woken up to squeaking, rustling, or even hissing somewhere above your head. As the nights start to get cold, mice, rats, raccoons, possums, and other small animals start looking for warmer shelter, and attics are a popular place for them to reside. What’s important is to take action quickly, before they start to get too settled in and begin to nest where they shouldn’t. 

Generally, the noise that the animal makes will tell you what you’re dealing with. Squeaking or chewing sounds are likely rats, scurrying is probably a squirrel or mouse, and snarls or hissing is usually a raccoon. While some of these animals are looking for a place to call home, others may have ended up in your attic by accident and are looking for a way out. It’s a good idea to know the difference. 

Almost all animals are likely to chew through wiring and bigger ones like raccoons or possums can tear apart insulation and ruin ductwork. Even small mice can make unwanted nests and leave an awful smell with their excrement. Although dealing with animal removal is a pretty awful job, leaving an unwanted visitor alone will end up costing you a lot more than sleep. If removing pests isn’t on your resume, call in an exterminator to take care of the problem. 

If you have mice or rats, they have likely moved in because there is a water source. Simple bait traps will help get the ones that are already there, but a mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime, so rodent proofing is essential. You’ll also want to inspect for any roof leaks as part of the job.

Squirrels are one of the animals I mentioned that might have come in accidentally. They usually prefer it outside and will be looking for a way to leave your home. Soffits and vents are likely places for squirrels to be able to get in so your best bet is to install an exclusion door that lets the rodents out so they can’t get back in. 

A one-way door will also work for raccoons, who don’t mind sticking around if they find a warm, dark and comfy place to live. However, since raccoons are nocturnal, you can make your attic less accommodating by leaving the lights on and even playing music. They’ll soon look for somewhere else to live. 

Bats are elusive in that they are very quiet and you might not even hear them unless there is a decent size colony making their home in yours. Removal is key and should only be done by a registered DEEP specialist as bats can be diseased. 

Finally, there are possums which, similar to raccoons, won’t want to leave. These guys are pretty resilient and they go to the bathroom everywhere, leaving a huge smelly mess behind. The best method to get rid of a possum is to have it trapped and removed by a professional. 

Happy animal proofing!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.