Common Wildlife in North Carolina
While it can be exciting to see these wildlife in nature, it’s important to take precautions to keep them out of your home and prevent any potential damage. Here is the most common wildlife you’ll begin seeing soon and some tips on how you can keep these critters away!
Squirrels
Squirrels are a common sight in many neighborhoods during the year. While they can be fun to watch, they can also cause damage to your home and property. They can gnaw into attics and chew electrical wires, sometimes resulting in house fires.
How to prevent squirrels:
- Seal any gaps in your home’s exterior
- Fix any holes in your roof or siding
- Trim back any tree branches that may be hovering over your roof
Raccoons
Another well-known critter, raccoons will typically gain access to attics, basements, or crawlspaces by finding openings in damaged vents, trims, or foundations. They can also find their way into your home through uncapped chimneys.
Prevent raccoons by:
- Sealing any gaps or openings in your roof or siding
- Use trash cans with sealed lids
Opossums
Finding shelter in your crawlspace, attic, or under porches, these critters are looking for a place to settle down. Opossums are nocturnal and are not aggressive but will show their teeth and hiss when scared.
Keep opossums out by:
- Removing food sources, like pet bowls left out
- Sealing any openings that are easily accessible
Here are some additional tips on keeping wildlife out of your home:
- Store firewood and other potential food sources away from your home.
- Install motion-activated lights. These will help deter some wildlife from entering your yard.
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed short. This makes it harder for wildlife to climb on your home.
If you have implemented these tips and are still discovering wildlife in your home, be sure to give your local wildlife company a call! These wildlife control professionals will be able to identify the animal and provide you with a removal and prevention plan.