Is Your Dream Remodel Protected from Unwanted Wildlife Visitors?

Home remodeling is an exciting thing. Spaces are updated; comfort is improved, and property value is increased. But there is one thing many owners tend to forget: to protect the remodeling from unwanted wildlife visitors.

With walls open and landscaping disrupted, the entry of these beastly visitors becomes pretty much a walk in the park for them. While inside, they end up damaging wiring, chewing through insulation, or leaving behind hazardous waste.

Understanding Common Wildlife Intruders

Different areas have different problems, but a few common offenders are:

1. Rodents: Mice and rats can slip into basements and attics through diminutive openings.
2. Squirrels: They enter through roof gaps and often prefer softs.
3. Raccoons: Strong and clever, they rip into weak points to access your home.
4. Bats: They prefer attics and chimneys, especially during the warm months.
5. Snakes: Usually attracted to debris and nice, cool, dark areas such as crawl spaces.

Once identification is made as to which wildlife is most prevalent in your area, proper measures can be undertaken early in the remodelling process.

Entry Points: What Contractors Might Miss?

Contracting mostly means get-it-built, get-it-designed. Pest-proofing is sometimes left out. Here are some wildlife entry points they could be missing: 

1. Gaps in roofing or eaves
2. Vents and chimneys left unsealed
3. Cracks in the foundation or siding
4. Holes left for plumbing or HVAC
5. Open or unscreened windows

These areas must be properly secured to prevent animals from moving in while construction is ongoing.

Pre-Remodel Inspection-first step

Before any renovations are started, a full home inspection is required. Inspect for existing signs of wildlife intrusion- dung, nesting material, or chewed-up wires. Best to call a licensed wildlife control expert, like mywildlifeservice.com, to ensure that nothing is missed.

Before building goes on, they will assess the risk and the weak spots and seal these vulnerable areas.

Choosing the Right Professionals to Work with

Other contractors might not think wildlife-proofing is their job. So you should:

1. Talk about wildlife prevention early during planning.
2. Engage pest control companies skilled in pre-construction protection.
3. Choose remodelers who are familiar with the local wildlife challenges.

Look for those professionals who will cooperate and schedule wildlife-proofing as part of their program.

Building with Protection in Mind

Use materials and methods that discourage wildlife:

1. Metal mesh covers for vents and chimneys.
2. Sealed soffits and fascia boards.
3. Solid siding materials like fibre cement.
4. Wildlife-resistant insulation.
5. Filling gaps in the foundation with caulk or expanding foam.

Even landscaping matters! Keeping bushes trimmed, avoiding mulch piles close to the house, and potentially fencing could help.

What Should You Do if You Come Across Wildlife Mid-Project?

If wild animals were discovered in the midst of renovation, stop work immediately and have the wildlife removal professionals brought in. Never try to remove the animals on your own. Improper handling can cause injury both to the person and to the animal. 

The professional wildlife experts relocate the creatures by legal and humane means and prevent their return.

Maintaining Your Remodel

Once the remodel is finished, you want to be sure to keep it secure. Here’s a simple process to explain to you how to maintain your remodel:

1. Keep an eye out for new entry points for animals.
2. If you have bins for trash outside, keep them tightly closed.
3. Keep gutters and downspouts clean to discourage nesting.
4. Keep pet food sequestered away inside.
5. Install motion-sensor lights on the perimeter.
6. Maintenance will keep the remodel gorgeous and free of wildlife. 

Legal and Ethical Considerations

In many areas, it becomes very essential to protect wildlife by law. One way things can get illegal is if you relocate or disturb certain animals. For instance, during the breeding season, you are not allowed to interfere with bats.

Consult with your local wildlife agencies or a licensed professional before taking any action. Besides being humane, cruelty-free is often the only legal route. 

Conclusion 

Your dream remodel deserves to be as beautiful as it is safe. With a little foresight, careful inspection, and, if necessary, the right professionals, you’ll be able to stop wildlife from attempting to share your investment. Prevention is always a lot easier than dealing with a problem after it has started.