If your home has a crawlspace, or an area between the ground and the bottom of the house where ducts, pipes and electrical wires are located, you need to keep animals out. A crawlspace can be an attractive place for mice, rats, raccoons and other types of wildlife. Here’s how, and why, to keep these pesky creatures away from your home.
What Can Happen If Animals Get Into a Crawlspace
If animals figure out how to get into the crawlspace, they can cause major damage. They may also make their way to other parts of the house.
If an animal dies in the crawlspace or inside a wall, the decaying body can produce a foul odor that can spread throughout the entire house. It can be difficult to identify the source and remove the dead animal. Some forms of wildlife can also carry diseases that can be harmful to humans and pets.
Block Any Potential Entry Points
The most effective way to keep wild animals out of a crawlspace is to seal off all openings that could serve as entry points. You may need to use several methods to cover all the bases.
Check the area in and around the crawlspace for spaces and cracks, then seal them with caulk and insulation. Be sure to fill in any gaps you see, even tiny ones. Animals, especially mice, can squeeze through even the tightest openings.
Keep Moisture Out of the Crawlspace
Any area with a high level of moisture is likely to attract wildlife. Animals are often drawn to a crawl space because it’s a damp environment. You can place a rubber or plastic vapor barrier between the ground and the crawlspace to protect your home from wild animals.
Sealing openings using other methods can also reduce the amount of moisture in the crawlspace. For example, you can lay a concrete floor and footing to create a barrier that will keep animals out and will also protect the crawlspace from moisture.
Maintain Your Property
An overgrown yard can attract several forms of wildlife. If your property has tall grass or bushes, and there is an opening to a crawl space nearby, you should expect that animals will try to get inside. Mow your lawn frequently, keep the area around your house free of brush and trim bushes on a regular basis.
Protect Your Crawlspace From Wildlife
Check your house periodically to make sure that all entry points are well sealed and identify any new ways that animals might be able to gain access to your crawlspace. If you identify a problem, make repairs as soon as possible to reduce the risk that an animal will get in.
