The Charleston Real Estate Search.com

Wildlife Solutions for Your Home

 - These devices keep bats, birds and squirrels from nesting in your chimney. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple wire to extravagantly ornate. l do the same thing: prevent critters from nesting where they are not wanted.

Under $100, these come in all shapes and sizes

Chimney caps

$25 - $50

Vent Guards

are simple devices that fit over roof plumbing and gas vents to prevent raccoons and squirrels from entering. They can be painted the same color as the roofing shingles to blend in. These products range in price from $20.00 to $50.00 but can save hundreds of dollars down the road.

Dryer Vent Screens – Most homeowners do not realize that dryer vents are like beacons to rodents.  They have everything a rodent could possibly want for nesting: warmth, lint and shelter.   These simple covers prevent them from entering in the first place.Hardware Cloth – If your home has an unsealed crawl space you probably have rodents living under it. If the foundation is brick then the vents should be covered with mesh or hardware cloth.  In cribbed crawlspaces, hardware cloth can be placed behind the wooden cribbing to prevent rodents.  Simple screen may keep out bugs but only hardware or copper mesh cloth can prevent raccoons, opossums and other rodents from getting in.

Landscape Control -  Sometimes the easiest solution is common sense landscaping.  Tree branches too close to the home allow animals to reach the roof more easily.  Pine straw pile-ups right at your door will invite snakes to nest there.  Shrubbery within 24 inches of the home not only invites critters to nest. It also provides a potential water trap that can cause mold, mildew and wood fungus to proliferate.

Sometimes good old fashioned folk remedies also help.  Moth balls are great for keeping snakes and cats away, if you can stand the smell. Covered Compost bins also prevent an unwanted invitations to scavengers.  Bringing your bird feeders in at night sometimes works as well.

Many wildlife nuisance control companies offer free or low-cost preventative inspections of the home to assess your risk.   By simply examining your home, you could prevent unnecessary intrusions.If you have other ideas, send them my way.