How to Keep Wildlife Out of Your Home This Holiday Season

Why Winter is Peak Season for Wildlife Break-Ins

When temperatures drop, rats, squirrels, raccoons, and opossums start searching for warm, protected spaces to nest—and your attic is the perfect spot.

December through February is our busiest season because:

• Animals are actively seeking shelter from cold weather
• They're looking for safe places to have babies (breeding season starts soon)
• Food sources outside become scarce, driving them closer to homes
• Your warm attic provides everything they need: shelter, insulation for nesting, and protection from predators

Once wildlife gets inside, they move fast. Within days, they can:

• Tear up insulation to build nests
• Chew through electrical wiring (creating fire hazards)
• Leave droppings and urine throughout your attic
• Create noise that keeps you awake at night
• Cause thousands of dollars in damage

The Most Common Entry Points During Winter

Wildlife doesn't need much space to get inside. A gap as small as ½ inch is enough for rats and mice—and most homes have multiple vulnerable spots.

Here's where animals break in most often:

Roof Returns
These small trim pieces at the corners of your roofline are notorious weak points. Over time, gaps develop between the trim and the structure, giving wildlife direct access to your attic.

AC Line Chases
The hole where your AC lines enter the attic is almost always poorly sealed or left completely open during installation. Animals follow these lines straight into your home.

Soffit and Fascia Gaps
Weather, settling, and age cause soffits to pull away from the roofline, creating entry points. Once animals find these gaps, they chew the wood behind them to widen the opening.

Attic Vents
Standard attic vents with plastic or aluminum screens are no match for determined squirrels or raccoons. They chew through or rip them off entirely.

Garage Door Gaps
Worn weatherstripping or doors that don't sit flush with the ground allow rats and mice to squeeze underneath. Once in the garage, they access walls and attics through small gaps.

Weep Holes
These small drainage holes in brick facades are necessary for your home but create perfect entry points for mice if left unsealed.

Warning Signs You Already Have Wildlife Inside

If you notice any of these signs, wildlife may already be in your attic:

• Scratching, scurrying, or thumping sounds in the ceiling (especially at dawn or dusk)
• Chewed wood, wires, or insulation visible in your attic
• Droppings in the attic, garage, or around your home's exterior
• Foul odors coming from the attic or walls
• Visible damage to roof returns, soffits, or vents from the outside
• Nesting materials (shredded insulation, leaves, paper) in the attic

Don't wait if you notice these signs. The longer wildlife stays inside, the more damage they cause—and the more expensive repairs become.

How to Protect Your Home This Winter

The best way to keep wildlife out is to seal your home before they find a way in. Here's what you can do:

1. Inspect Your Roofline
Walk around your home and look for gaps in roof returns, soffits, and fascia. Check attic vents for damage. If you spot vulnerabilities, they need to be sealed with chew-proof materials—not foam or caulk.

2. Check Your Garage Door
Close your garage door and look for light coming through underneath. If you see daylight, rodents can get through. Replace worn weatherstripping and ensure the door sits flush with the ground.

3. Trim Tree Branches
Squirrels and raccoons use tree branches as highways to your roof. Trim branches back at least 6-8 feet from your roofline to eliminate easy access.

4. Seal AC Line Entry Points
Check where your AC lines enter the exterior wall. If there's a gap around them, it needs to be sealed properly with steel or aluminum—materials wildlife can't chew through.

5. Inspect Weep Holes
If your home has brick, check the weep holes. They should have stainless steel mesh covers that allow drainage but block rodents.

What to Do If Wildlife Is Already Inside

If you're hearing scratching or seeing signs of wildlife activity, don't try to handle it yourself. Here's why:

• Wildlife can be dangerous when cornered or protecting young
• DIY repairs almost always fail because animals chew through temporary materials
• You might trap animals inside, causing them to die in your walls or attic (creating horrible odors)
• You could make the problem worse by sealing exits while animals are still inside

Professional wildlife exclusion involves:

1. Locating all entry points (not just the obvious ones)
2. Humanely removing animals using safe trapping methods
3. Sealing every vulnerable spot with chew-proof materials
4. Cleaning and sanitizing the attic if needed
5. Guaranteeing the work so animals can't return

At Homeland Wildlife & Pest Control, we've been protecting San Antonio homes from wildlife for over 14 years. Our exclusion work is permanent, and we back it with a lifetime warranty.

Give Yourself Peace of Mind This Holiday Season

The holidays should be about family, friends, and celebration—not worrying about wildlife in your attic.

If you're hearing sounds, seeing damage, or just want peace of mind that your home is sealed and secure, we can help.

We offer free inspections to identify vulnerabilities and provide honest recommendations. If wildlife is already inside, we'll remove them humanely and seal your home so they can't return.

Don't let wildlife ruin your holidays. Call us today.

📞 210-776-6100
🌐 www.HomelandWildlife.com

Homeland Wildlife & Pest Control
Protecting San Antonio homes for over 14 years

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