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Community Corner

Critter Corner: Keeping Wildlife Out of Your Hair

Critter-proofing your home is common sense building maintenance.

The Hillcrest area is full of green areas, parks, trees and urbanized wildlife. What makes this a great area for people also attracts animals. Mid-February is the time animals play "musical chairs" with their nests or dens. Many animals prefer to go back to or near the spot they used last year, but if that is unavailable, they frantically look for new area.

Here are some tips to keep your home to yourself, and free of unwanted visitors. Keep in mind if you need to call an animal removal service they will trap the animals humanely, but must destroy the animals and can ot release them.

• Roof: This area is primarily susceptible to squirrels and raccoons. Vents made of lightweight aluminum and plastic can be chewed or pushed out of the way. With the warm weather now in Hillcrest it’s not difficult to replace these vents with stronger materials and to make sure they are properly attached.

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• Chimneys: Check that flashing is secure and the chimney cap is solid. Birds rarely make nests in the chimney, but can get overcome by the exhaust fumes and fall in. Sometimes this leads directly into a fireplace, other times into the furnace.

• Stove, bathroom and rarely used dryer vents are a invitation for birds and some squirrels to take up residence. Capping with a tight mesh or plugging will help deter their efforts.

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• Soffit and fascia deteriorate over time. Check for loose gaps loose trim and boards. Gaps of an inch can be an open invitation.

• Porches, sheds and garages often have ground level areas attractive to opossums, skunks, and raccoons.

Overall it’s important to get a jump on spring and do some preventative maintenance. Do this now, before babies are born and your headaches are doubled.

If you are too late, consider leaving the nest alone if it does not have direct access to living area. Animals mature quickly and will soon be on their way. As soon as they have "flown the coop" you’ll have another chance to fix the area.

Animal friendly homes ranging from bat and butterfly houses will be upcoming topics.

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