In November, a raccoon that tested positive for rabies reminded us that these cute creatures with fluffy tails can sometimes be dangerous. Although raccoons, opossums, opossums, snakes, and rodents such as mice and rats are common in the wild, some may explore or attempt to live in the crawl spaces of homes. Those whooshing noises coming from under the floor of your home could very well be coming from a rodent or a small mammal.
To prevent animals from using your crawl space as a den, it’s important to take some preventative maintenance measures.
- The first is to find the opening(s) and seal them tightly. If there are large gaps around the crawl space, you can inexpensively seal them with wire mesh or steel mesh.
- Second, keep trash cans closed and outdoor pet food out of the crawlspace.
- The last thing you want to do is make your crawl space attractive.
If you suspect small mammals are in your crawlspace, there are several ways to get rid of them. Install bright lights near or near the area. You can also make loud noises by, for example, placing a battery-operated radio in your crawl space. Finally, you can try to get rid of them with pungent odors by, for example, placing a bowl of apple cider vinegar in your crawl space. Overwhelming an animal’s senses is a safe and humane way to drive away your unwanted guests.
The last thing you want to do is try to capture an animal like a snake or possum or try to eliminate it yourself. They don’t know if they are rabid and don’t want to risk being scratched or bitten. It’s best to call a professional to remove the animals.
Critter Control of San Jose has many techniques for getting rid of animals in crawl spaces. Call the wildlife experts, Critter Control at 408-915-2172 in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Campbell and the Cupertino area.
