The safest and easiest way to keep animals out of your home, is to eliminate all points of entry. Bats and mice can fit through openings that you might not even get a finger into! High-grade caulking, sheet metal and wire mesh are among the more popular materials you can utilize. Keeping food, garbage and water under cover will make your home less desirable to animals.
Look for bite marks on doors, window frames, wiring and food packages. Droppings may be visible and sounds may be audible, especially at night.
Pest Control
Traps can be set, but make sure that you obtain the correct trap for the job. Provincial laws state which animals can be trapped and/or relocated. Poisons must be used with extreme caution. Make absolutely certain that children and pets will not be inadvertently affected by poisonous bait. Take care when extricating live animals from traps. Wear gloves and a face shield. Rabies is prevalent among several species, such as skunks and foxes.
If in doubt, contact a licensed, professional pest control agency. Pest control companies and individuals are listed in the Pest Control Services category of the Yellow Pages.
Gil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994. Visit http://www.allaroundthehouse.com to learn more about home inspections.
"The Home Reference Book"
You can probably find a home inspection for a little less than what we ask, but you probably won't find the Home Reference Book. A $60 value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes free with every inspection we perform.
It's the first tool you should have around the house!