When temperatures drop, critters like pack rats, squirrels, skunks, raccoons and any number of “no-see-ums” will look for a warm and cozy place to hunker down for the winter. Just like us. But unlike us, many of them can fit through holes the size of a quarter.
This is why you need to give your home a thorough once-over. Pay careful attention to your roof and the base of your house, underneath your deck, your storage shed, or really any place a creature might think is an a-okay place to stay awhile. Once both a pack rat AND a skunk tried to set up Winter digs in a gardening cabinet on my back patio. That was a very messy and smelly situation.
You will need to replace damaged tiles and attic vents, and seal any holes around pipes and cables that run into your house. Use wood putty, flexible brick, or concrete caulking to patch holes. And make haste, since filler takes longer to cure during colder months. All of these things can be found online or at your home repair or hardware store.
If you need an assist, hire a painter or handyman to patch exterior holes. And let the little guys find shelter elsewhere.
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