Wildlife Home Exclusions

Maryland Wildlife Solutions specializes in Full Home Exclusions. This means we don’t just remove whatever has taken up residence in your home, but we will permanently exclude them as well! In order to conduct this service, we conduct an evaluation of your home taking into account all potential entry points for all wildlife species. Once we have thoroughly inspected your home from foundation to peak, we write up a detailed report noting all potential and active entry points to your home. This inspection is no easy task as mice and bats can exploit even the tiniest gaps in the structure, and powerful animals like raccoons can easily tear off secured vents in order to gain entry.

Why did these animals pick my home?

For starters, it isn’t just your home being targeted by these critters! As populations of wildlife and people grow, so do the conflicts between them. Houses make wonderful and secure nesting/denning spots for wildlife so it is only natural with a growing number of homes that wildlife will take advantage of the cozy insulation and air conditioned/heated environment that attics and basements present.

With that being said, Homes that back up to woodlands and ravines, homes that are at the edges of developments, and homes that have large amounts of vegetation and trees are most susceptible to wildlife targeting. Well, just about every home is susceptible to some kind of animal intrusion, so it’s recommended that wherever you live to make sure your home is wildlife proof.

How do animals get in my house?

Animals have heightened senses and will often follow heat and smells which emanate from ventilation systems and gaps in the structure. In the industry, we jokingly call wildlife “Construction Quality Control Experts” because they will find even the smallest of gaps and cracks on a home! Wildlife will access your roof from overhanging branches, but most species of nuisance wildlife have exceptional climbing skills and will scale your home with ease. So if animals are so capable, how do we exclude them you ask? Keep reading and you’ll see!

Is there anything wrong with letting animals live in my home?

All species of native wildlife are important to our ecosystem, but are detrimental to our homes. Animals can cause damage to the structure and insulation, they can cause fire, mold, and flood hazards, and can bring diseases and ectoparasites into our home. So bottom line, regardless of whether you love animals or not, we recommend making sure your home is wildlife proof.

Is exclusion humane?

Absolutely. Since Exclusion is a long term solution, we don’t have to keep bothering wildlife. Trapping is stressful to animals no matter how it’s done and the less times we have to trap the better. Ideally, exclusion should be done preventatively but even if we have to evict wildlife once, it’s better then doing so repeatedly as the animals will continue to cause problems.

So how exactly do we make your home “wildlife-proof”?

Unless the exclusion is being done preventatively, we must first make sure all animals are removed for the structure. Once that is done, we go about replacing vent covers with wildlife-proof covers, we install vent guards over others that don’t need replacement, and we seal all gaps and cracks with pest-proof materials. Here are some examples…