The key to successful pest control is to make your cabin and the area surrounding it less attractive to opportunistic wildlife that are looking to move in. Here are some helpful tips.
Avoid tenants under your deck
Sometimes, the party isn’t happening on your deck, but underneath it. Critters like opossum, skunks and raccoons, if they could talk, would tell you they just love your deck. You’re welcome to keep the topside of the deck to yourself, and they’ll just move in below.
If you’re concerned about animals taking up residence under your deck, deny them entry by using wire screening around it, from ground level up to the deck beams. You can use a staple gun to attach it, pulling it tight so that there are no gaps that critters could use to get in. Also, bury the bottom edge about 6 inches to stop them from burrowing underneath.
Look at where the deck attaches to the structure. Make sure the screening is tight against your foundation. Concrete anchors often do the trick here.
Any size spacing in the wire mesh will keep most critters out, except for mice. To keep them out, you need a mesh with openings of less than ¼ inch.
Avoid tenants under your deck
Sometimes, the party isn’t happening on your deck, but underneath it. Critters like opossum, skunks and raccoons, if they could talk, would tell you they just love your deck. You’re welcome to keep the topside of the deck to yourself, and they’ll just move in below.
If you’re concerned about animals taking up residence under your deck, deny them entry by using wire screening around it, from ground level up to the deck beams. You can use a staple gun to attach it, pulling it tight so that there are no gaps that critters could use to get in. Also, bury the bottom edge about 6 inches to stop them from burrowing underneath.
Look at where the deck attaches to the structure. Make sure the screening is tight against your foundation. Concrete anchors often do the trick here.
Any size spacing in the wire mesh will keep most critters out, except for mice. To keep them out, you need a mesh with openings of less than ¼ inch.
Habitat modification
Make the yard near your cabin less attractive to wildlife with these tips:
- Woodpiles can be good hiding spots, so keep them as far away from your cabin as possible.
- Cut down tall grass and trim bushes so that their lower branches are several inches above the ground. (However, let shoreline grass grow tall to keep geese at bay.)
- Pick up fruit and berries soon after they fall. These provide a food source for hungry critters.
- Keep pet food inside.
- Drain any areas where water accumulates.
DID YOU KNOW? Controlling pests in the yard with ultrasound seems like a good idea. After all, we know that some animals can hear sounds that we can’t. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work. University studies have shown that ultrasound doesn’t drive pests away. Any pests that are affected by it soon become accustomed to the sound and just come back.
TIP: One of the best products to come our way lately is no-mess birdseed. We all love having birds in our yards, and one of the best ways to bring them in is to put out seed. The problem is, less desirable critters, such as mice, can be drawn to seed husks and debris the birds toss out. No-mess birdseed helps to keep the seed for the birds.
TIP: One of the best products to come our way lately is no-mess birdseed. We all love having birds in our yards, and one of the best ways to bring them in is to put out seed. The problem is, less desirable critters, such as mice, can be drawn to seed husks and debris the birds toss out. No-mess birdseed helps to keep the seed for the birds.
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