Wildlife Control Supplies: Not Just Pesticides

As homeowners, we invest in locks, sensor lights and security systems to keep out thieves and burglars. We should also defend our homes and property from nonhuman trouble makers. As we have developed formerly open fields and natural areas, we have increasingly moved closer to the wildlife that occupies these areas.

Left unchecked, rodents (mice and rats), raccoons, coyotes, stray dogs and cats, and even bears can ransack trash and gardens in search of food and invade residences. In fact, rats need only a little more than ½ of an inch gap to pass into an enclosure, while mice can exploit openings of just over a quarter-inch (the diameter of a pencil). The curved teeth allow rodents to bit through many rough or edged surfaces. Wild animals can leap and open containers. Small spaces can allow insects and snakes access to homes and afford opportunities to bite the residents.

Wildlife around the home can leave behind trash that creates a nuisance, damaged gardens and structures and potential health hazards in the home. These wildlife control supplies can defend your customers’ property from these problems.

Here are some suggested wildlife control supplies to keep unwanted critters out of your home.

Cellulose Insulation

As a spray-on product, cellulose insulation fills the nooks, crannies and cracks that fiberglass often cannot reach. This closes many of the access points for rodents. Cellulose insulation also contains a fire retardant known as borate. It not only blocks flames and gases trying to penetrate walls, but it also repels rodents. Further, homeowners can experience more efficient energy use because openings are filled. Unlike cellulose insulation, fiberglass can be gnawed away by mice and rats.

Hardware Cloth

Wire mesh does not appeal to rodents or other animals. The type of mesh often depends on the animal being repelled and where the wire mesh is placed. For vents in the attic, crawl space and roof, ¼-inch mesh wire can stop wildlife from invading. Copper works best as hardware cloth. If aluminum is used, 24-gauge mesh should suffice for mice and 19-gauge mesh for rats.

To keep these invaders from gardens, the underneath of decks and other outside areas, wire mesh can become a form of fencing. With the mesh, “L-shaped” footers can extend from the edges of buildings or decks or can form a rectangle around a garden in the open yard. Mesh of 2’x3′ can keep out woodchucks, raccoons and possums. Excluding rats and mice will likely take 1’x1’ mesh.

Flashing

We can think of flashing as bridging the gaps between the roof and chimneys and exhaust openings and vents in bathrooms and kitchens. Without flashing, many animals can enter into the roofs, attics and even the spaces we occupy in our homes. Wood flashing can defeat the purpose of having it, as many insects, rodents and other wildlife can easily snack on the material.

Instead, flashing that repels wildlife is typically made of galvanized steel, galvalume (a 55 percent aluminum-zinc coated steel sheet), lead, copper or lead-based copper. Typically, homes don’t have aluminum flashing around chimneys because of the mortar used in the brick chimneys. Aluminum flashing, if used, should have a 22-gauge rating.

Chimney Caps

Chimney caps are another set of wildlife control supplies that defend the rooftop from invasions and nesting by birds. Options for caps include single or multiple-flue, decorative models and rectangular or circular-shaped. Accessories for these products include galvanized raccoon screens, caulk or sealant, clear coat to keep copper caps shiny and slip-in leg kits.

In addition to keeping out certain members of the animal kingdom, chimney caps save chimneys (and ultimately the home) from rain or snow damage. They even harness the wind to the advantage of our customers. Chimneys exist to carry exhaust from fireplaces out of the home. Caps create the temperature differences needed for updrafts to remove smoke or other particles that can endanger health.

Thresholds

Door thresholds are intended to ensure our closed doors are actually “closed.” Openings as small as 1/16 of an inch (or even smaller) can invite insects and spiders. Some snakes can slide under “closed” doors that leave just enough clearance for light and them. Steel thresholds can particularly prove bite-proof. Caulking and weather-stripping supply additional gap filling. These measures not only keep out unwanted insects, snakes and other wildlife, but keep in heat during the winter and cool air in summer months to prevent energy costs from spiking significantly.

Animal-Resistant Trash Cans

Household trash often invites an assortment of wildlife – even larger creatures such as coyotes and bears – in search of food we have tossed. Animal resistant trash cans are constructed from steel or corrosion-resistant materials. Some models feature lids with reinforced steel and animal-proof locks and latches. Trash can containers store multiple trash cans that, by themselves, cannot keep out the animals. These products should have corrosion-proof steel housing and metal hinges.

One Stop of Wildlife Control

We stock hundreds of supplies to help you keep out the critters. Get an estimate today on your next project or request our Animal Control Checklist showing all supplies we carry that will keep the critters out!