Keep an eye out for animal intruders

Animal-proofing a home should be at the top of any list of warm weather home chores, according to many state natural resource and environmental officials nationwide.

Wild animals in and around a residence can cause big trouble, even if they are small creatures.

Some, like squirrels, can cause fire hazards by chewing through wiring in the attic. Others, like raccoons, skunks and woodchucks, can be major carriers of rabies. Rabies can also be found in bats, another common attic dweller.

"Wildlife-proofing your house and grounds before a problem arises will save you hundreds of dollars and provide enormous peace of mind for the health and safety of you and your family," said Lori Gibson, supervising wildlife biologist at the Department of Environmental Management in Rhode Island.

Many of the techniques are fairly simple and a matter of common sense.

+Check tree limbs. If any overhang the house, trim them back. Overhanging tree limbs are a major pathway for squirrels and raccoons to reach attics and chimneys, which are favorite nesting places.

+While up high, check the chimney, attic vents and the structure itself. If the chimney is not capped, install a commercial wildlife-proof cap.

+Never attempt to smoke out an animal from the chimney. Lighting a fire will cause a back draft into the home and kill young animals in the chimney.

+Never block up holes while young animals are still in the home. Adults will cause further damage trying to scratch their way back inside.

+Replace any loose or rotting boards on the house, especially attic louvers, which might provide an entryway. Check for gaps around window air conditioners and chimneys. Some bats, for instance, can enter cracks as small as 3/8 inch.

+On the ground, look for areas that are appealing to skunks, foxes, woodchucks and opossums. All these animals like denning sites such as woodpiles, elevated sheds, openings under porches and crawl spaces under houses and garages.

+Raccoons will nest in crawl spaces and brush piles, as well as in attics, chimneys and tree cavities. Wildlife-proof the open areas with hardware cloth screening that extends several inches underground and bent outward for an additional few inches to prevent access from digging animals.

+Openings under concrete structures should be backfilled with gravel and screening. Debris piles should be removed or stacked neatly to eliminate cavities.

+Remove undergrowth and grass cover used by woodchucks by mowing around buildings. Use mortar to patch cracks in concrete and masonry.

+A major attraction for wildlife is unsecured garbage. Raccoons and coyotes are strong and patient and will get into any type of garbage can that is not securely latched or placed in a building. They will move a cinder block off the top of a can and open plastic garbage cans left outside.

+If garbage cans cannot be stored inside a garage or shed, use metal cans and secure the lids with locks, straps or tiedowns. Keep aromatic garbage, like shellfish, frozen until the morning of pickup.

+Do not leave pet food outside, and tidy areas around bird feeders or suspend feeding if this is causing further problems.

+Never feed other wildlife. This story is provided by State Point Media.