Wildlife and pest problems are among the most common and stressful issues that homeowners in Lake County face. Every season brings new problems, like bats in attic lake county or buzzing nests under the eaves. Luckily, most of these issues can be avoided before they happen with the right solutions.
Key Takeaways
Every fall and spring, check the outside of your house for gaps. Bats can get in through holes as small as a quarter-inch.
Cut back tree branches at least six feet from your roof to block the most common ways for animals to get in and out.
Wasp control is most effective when done in early spring, when nests are still small and colonies have not yet fully formed.
When getting rid of bats in Illinois, you have to follow the state’s protection laws. When not during maternity season, you should only use licensed exclusion services.
If there are active infestations of bats, raccoons, or large groups of stinging insects, it is safer and more effective to have a professional do the work than to try to do it yourself.
Important Tips for Keeping Wildlife and Pests Away
Here are some important ways to keep wildlife and pests away:
Check the outside of your home every season
PestWorld says that the first step in any prevention plan should be a thorough inspection of the outside. Check the outside of your house for cracks or gaps in the roofline, soffits, and fascia boards. Also look for broken vent covers and chimney caps and caulking that is coming apart around pipes, windows, and utility entry points.
Cut back trees and bushes that are close to your roof
Animals like squirrels, raccoons, and others use branches that touch or hang over your roof as roads. Keep them trimmed back at least six feet from the building to block the most common way for animals to get into your home.
Protect all food sources outside
Animals are especially drawn to trash cans that aren’t locked and pet food and bird feeders that are left outside. Put lids on trash cans that lock, bring pet food inside after meals, and think about taking down bird feeders when wildlife is most active.
Get rid of yard waste and woodpiles
Rodents, snakes, and insects that lay their eggs on the ground love to live in stacked wood, piles of leaves, and cluttered garden beds. To get rid of ready-made shelter on your property, store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and off the ground.
Take care of bat entry points when it’s not breeding season
In Illinois, bats are a protected species, which means that killing them is against the law. The best method is to exclude bats by putting up one-way devices that let them leave but not come back in. Vernon Hills says that exclusion must not happen during the maternity season, which is from June to mid-August and is when young bats can’t fly yet.
Conclusion
One of the best things about living in Lake County is the natural surroundings, but homeowners do need to take care of them. Your home is safe all year long if you keep up with wildlife and pests by doing regular checks, landscaping wisely, and getting professional help when you need it. For pest control and other treatments, check out crittercontroloflakecounty.
The smartest and most cost-effective thing to do is always to avoid problems before they happen. This is true whether you have bats in your attic, are dealing with Lake County problems, or want to avoid bee and wasp removal Lake County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When is the best time to seal up places where bats can get into my house?
Early fall to late summer is the safest time to keep bats out of homes in Illinois. This is when young bats can fly, but they have not yet started to hibernate for the winter.
Q2. How can I tell if there is a wasp nest in a wall hole?
A buzzing sound coming from inside the wall, wasps coming and going from a small opening on the outside, and, in the worst cases, yellowish stains on the drywall are all signs.
Q3. Are there things I can do in the winter to keep wildlife away?
Of course. Most animals are less active in the winter, which makes it a great time to seal entry points. Before spring activities start, check your attic, crawl spaces, and foundation vents for any holes.
Q4. Can I take down a beehive by myself? Store-bought products can sometimes be used to treat small, open nests after dark, when bees aren’t working. That being said, only a licensed professional should handle large colonies, wall void infestations, or aggressive species like yellow jackets and hornets to make sure they are safe.
