Good food. Family. Presents. Cozying up on the couch with hot cocoa and Netflix. It’s everything we dream of for the holiday season. But you’re not the only one that sounds good too.
Rodents absolutely love the holiday season. The warmth and food are like a magnet to them, especially when it’s cold outside. Can we blame them? Of course not. But that doesn’t mean we want to welcome them into our homes, either. Here are a few furry pests who might want to crash your holiday festivities.
Mice
Mice are the most obvious intruder, especially if you live in a wooded area, but we’ve seen them in more suburban and even urban areas as well. Mice love to find a warm place to build a comfy winter nest, and with the added bonus of easy access to food, human homes are highly attractive to them. Mice also like to hide out in the clutter, so you might want to check any boxes of holiday decorations you bring in from the garage or shed.
You’ll most likely know if you have an issue if you find mouse droppings or chewed up boxes of food in your pantry or cabinets. You might also hear them in the walls, chewing on plaster or drywall, or even on wooden beams.
Squirrels
Squirrels rarely come into the main living areas in houses, but they do sometimes like to chew through shingles or siding to get into attics, heating ducts, and chimneys. A bold squirrel might even find its way through an open door or window.
The most obvious signs of a squirrel invasion are the noises they make, as they scurry or scamper around your attic or in your walls. You’ll also likely hear scratching or chewing sounds—they love to chew on everything from wood to wires! If you don’t hear them, you can certainly find visual signs such as teeth marks on wires, wood, or walls. And there’s always their droppings, which are more spindle-shaped and larger than mice.
Raccoons
While most raccoons prefer to stay outdoors during winter, finding shelter in hollowed-out trees, burrows, or other types of shelter, they may find their way into your attic, or crawl space if it’s inviting enough. Just as in other seasons, raccoons are often drawn to scraps found in trashcans, which means keeping yours tightly covered is essential to keeping them away. Feeding birds and squirrels can also attract them to your home. Although not true hibernators, raccoons tend to sleep for several weeks at a time during winter, relying on fat stores to keep them fed when the weather turns cold. As a result, they tend to not be as active in the winter.
Like other furry pests, you’ll know you have raccoons if you hear scratching or see droppings.
Some Problems Require A Professional Solution
Of course, if you encounter any of these pests—or others—don’t hesitate to call us. We’re happy to investigate the situation and can remove any unwanted houseguests in a safe manner.