Are Animals and Birds Seeking Shelter in Your Home for the Winter?

When the weather gets colder and the nights draw in, it’s natural to want to spend more time at home. We head indoors, draw the curtains, and snuggle down for the rest of the day if we can.

So, it is hardly surprising to know many animals and birds head for shelter as well. Some will find sheds, garages, and other outbuildings to make a home in, while others might find a way into your home. Since you don’t want to introduce birds, pests, and other problems into your home, it is a good idea to see how well-sealed it is before the weather turns nasty.

Prevention is always better than cure

The most important thing to do is to check the exterior of your home – every inch of it. This includes the roof, since birds might be able to find a way in under the tiles to get into the roof space, or to nest there. Look for gaps around windows and doors, and gaps where the walls meet the ground. Even a gap as small as a pencil is big enough to let a mouse in, so you will want to seal everything you possibly can to prevent access.

Make your home less inviting to start with

All animals and birds need food. While you might have a bird feeder in the garden, you won’t want other pests getting into your rubbish. Some areas take food waste separately from other rubbish. Ideally, you should have a lockable food waste bin you can use, so animals cannot get into it while it sits outside. If everything goes in the dustbin, get one with metal handles that lock over the lid so animals cannot knock it off. It also means the wind won’t take it away, leaving the bin open for animals to dive into.

The best tip of all

Regular inspections – this is the one sure way to make sure your defences against birds, mice, foxes, and all manner of other pests cannot get into your home. Watch for signs of entry, but make sure you prevent entry from happening to start with by examining all doors, windows, and other possible entry points regularly. You will soon know what you must look for, and what you need to do to prevent anything spending this winter inside your home.