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| Photo Provided By UGA |
- Chimneys — Cap chimneys to prevent raccoons, bats, squirrels and birds from entering the house.
- Soffit vents — Keep vents in good repair since they are often used as an entry point for insects, bats and birds.
- Gabled end of the house/barn — Block animals by using hardware cloth or screens that still maintain airflow to the attic and buildings. Gables are often the entry point for flying squirrels, gray squirrels, bats and birds like pigeons, wrens, house sparrows, European starlings and swallows.
- Windows and doors — These are entry points for snakes, bugs, mice and some large animals like raccoons and opossums if the doors on garages or sheds are not closed or properly sealed. Close doors and windows, repair screens and maintain a proper weather seal.
- Dryer vent — Vents are a common entry point for snakes and mice. Cover the vent with screen large enough to vent hot dryer air but exclude animals. Clean the screen regularly to prevent lint accumulation. Seal around the vent with expanding foam or weather seal.
- Pipes and cables — Mice and bats can enter through the dime-sized holes where electric lines, phone lines, and satellite or cable TV lines connect to the house. Seal these holes with expanding foam or weather seal.
- Remove food wastes from inside the house regularly, and avoid keeping trash cans directly against the home.
- Store all pet food in airtight containers when possible.
For more information on solving human- nuisance wildlife conflicts follow the link below, and always remember animals always need food, water, and shelter. If you can remove one of those three pillar requirements from your home the animals will likely move on, or not even bother choosing your home as their winter shelter.
https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/B%201248_5.PDF
If you have any questions please contact your local extension office.
UGA Extension Office in Cobb County
678 South Cobb Dr.
Marietta, Ga 30060
(770)528-4070
uge1067@uga.edu
