MONTGOMERY-Although your attic may not be haunted, it could be invaded by a hair-raising critter. Mice, rats, bats, raccoons, and squirrels are all creatures that could find themselves in your attic and make a bump in the night! Most of these critters, besides squirrels, make a living at night searching for food in the dark when they are safest from predators. Bats of course can fly, but the other critters all have extraordinary climbing abilities. Since these animals are most active at night, they will often wake you from your sleep with the sounds of them scurrying around. Any type of openings such as vents, pipes, eves, etc. can allow a variety of animals easy access to a very comfortable living space. They often make their own openings by chewing or gnawing through wood, siding, drywall, or other material. Many of these animals, such as mice and bats, can make their way through openings or cracks as small as a half-inch or a quarter. When mice and rats are around, snakes are often close by looking for an easy meal too! There are simple ways to prevent your attic from being haunted by unwanted guests. Make sure any damage that would allow any of these critters access is repaired promptly. Trim bushes or tree limbs away from your house so they are not touching the home or structure, allowing easy access for climbing animals. Cover any holes or vents with hardware cloth or metal mesh to prevent easy access.
If you do find yourself with an unwanted house guest or an attic full of horrors, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries provides resources for handling nuisance animals on our Outdoor Alabama website, as well as a list of permitted nuisance animal control operators that are available for hire to help. Visit Alabama Nuisance Animal Control | Outdoor Alabama for more information.
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Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
