Common Animal Entry Points in Home

Animal and insect pests in the midwest are always trying to find shelter, and your home is as comfortable looking to them as it is to you. There are many points around you home that animals and insect can gain entry. Learn more about some common entry points and what to look out for to limit infestation.

Learn about common animal entry points in your home by hovering over the icons below.

Overhangs and Gutters

Any overhang, gutter, or other sheltered spot should be routinely inspected for wasp and bee nests. If wasps start to build a nest that is not removed, these pests may end up finding their way into your home through small gaps like those in window insulation or screens. Even if these pests don’t enter your home, they can be a hazard to young children or pets that may disturb them unknowingly.

Roof Corners

Roof corners are common entry points for animals such as bats and squirrels. Any small gap, like those between shingles or rafters can be a classic entry point for critters looking for shelter in your warm attic. Even if the hole does not lead all the way into your attic, small animals may be content taking shelter in a cozy corner.

Overhanging Trees

Trees too close to your roof cause a variety or problems. Aside from doing damage to your roof or siding in stormy or windy weather, trees can be a bridge to your roof for pests like squirrels, raccoons and even ants or other insects. Once on your roof, animals have access to your chimney, or any holes in your roof or soffit.

Vents or Torn Holes

Open vents in a roof or wall is a common place for animals to enter your home. Some animals, like raccoons are surprisingly strong and will even tear open holes in a wall, soffit or vent to get inside. More commonly, a loose screen or soffit looks like the perfect place for a raccoon or other animal to explore.

Soffits

Soffits are a weak point on any house, as they are often made of flimsier material than roofs and walls. Any gaps or holes in a soffit can be a perfect entry point for an animal. Occasionally soffits have decorative holes or holes for vented airflow to the attic or roof. If your soffit has holes for ventilation or decoration, make sure each hole has a screen to prevent nesting birds or other critters from choosing your house as their next home.

Holes Around Pipes

Anywhere pipes enter or exit your home, there is the potential for an animal entry point. Sealant around pipes may decay over time, any movement of the pipe may create an opening or the pipe may not have been sealed properly to begin with! Small rodents such as mice can fit into holes as small as ¼ of an inch.

Brush Near Your Foundation

Though bushes and other plants along the outside of your house make great landscaping, any brush too close to your foundation provides the perfect cover for inquisitive critters such as skunks. It also shades the foundation from the sun, trapping dew and rain and never allowing the foundation to fully dry. A wet foundation can lead to mildew and mold which can degrade the foundation and create holes for pests to enter.

Under a Deck or Porch

The area under your deck or porch is the perfect place for a critter home. Not only is it often easily accessible, it is also sheltered from the sun and other elements. Groundhogs often like to build a den under a concrete stoop, which can ultimately lead to cracking or loose cement. Other animals such as raccoons, skunks and opossums also like these sheltered places.

Kick Pests Out

Don’t let your home be invaded by pests! Call Attic Solutions for animal control and wildlife removal in the Chicagoland area – (847) 464-1861. We’re active 7 days a week, and can typically begin local service the same day. If you are outside the Chicagoland area, contact your local County Animal Control.

Front Door or Pet Door

More commonly than you might think, wild animals enter through an open front door or pet door. Ensuring your screen door is fully closed and patched of all holes and locking your pet door closed at night may be obvious, but effective steps to prevent critters in your living space. However, it can be difficult to prevent any “critters” who may have a key to your house.

Where Two Materials Meet

You may have a strong foundation and the best siding, but there will always be a weak point where the two materials meet. Any seam between two materials may loosen over time and a hole may develop. You may even have animals helping with the hole-creating process, looking for a way to enter your home. Make sure you are routinely checking seams for signs of decay or destruction.

Weather Stripping

Holes in your weather stripping are a common entry point for insects and rodents such as rats. Once your weather stripping starts to peel or chip, it is time to be replaced. Not only can decaying weather stripping result in unwanted pests in your home, it can also mean unwanted cold air in your home, meaning higher heating costs.

Periodically checking these highlighted areas for structural integrity will help limit infestation. If you hear any strange noises in your home or notice damage to these areas that appear to be animal related, call your local animal control specialist immediately. If you are located in the Chicagoland area, give us a call, we would be happy to help!

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