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Simple steps will keep wildlife in check this winterNebraska Just because wildlife can't be seen in the winter doesn't mean pests aren't a problem, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln wildlife damage management project coordinator said. There are strategies, however, to keep them from doing damage. Wildlife need to be kept out simply because they can damage parts of a property or home, said Stephen Vantassel, wildlife damage management project coordinator in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In the long run, rodents can chew through electrical wiring, which over time could result in an electrical fire. In the short run, they can ravage insulation, which can raise utility bills and make a house less energy efficient. Fortunately, there are three fairly simple prevention methods to take care of pests, Vantassel said. "As long as you keep your house in good shape and react quickly, you'll be OK," he said. The first method is habitat modification. This involves removing food sources that could attract wildlife. Removing debris, keeping wood piles away from the house, safeguarding a compost pile and modifying the bird feeder are all essential in preventing wildlife from entering a home, he said. If a pet is fed outside, just feed it enough so that there is no food left out. The second method is making a home impenetrable. Vantassel suggested a top to bottom inspection of the house. Any gap of three-eights of an inch or greater should be filled with caulk or small pieces of aluminum or wood. Professional chimney caps should be used to cover chimneys. Hardware cloth should not be draped over a chimney, as there is a risk that it could force carbon monoxide back into the house. All entry vents should be secured from the outside, he said. Preventing an animal from reaching mosquito netting and chewing through is integral in keeping an animal out in the winter and mosquitos out in the summer. One-quarter inch hardware cloth, when secured outside of each exterior vent with washers and screws, can keep wildlife from reaching netting. "Think of it in terms of preventing a burglar from coming in," he said. Door jambs and garage doors should be checked for gaps. Products are available to close gaps. Plastic covers also should be placed over window wells to keep animals from falling in. Branches should be trimmed at least 10 feet from the roof line. Bushes should not be allowed to grow any higher than two feet above the eave. Wildlife will use untrimmed branches to gain access to a home. "A mouse can vertically jump 18 inches," Vantassel said. The third method is regular monitoring. He said when a problem with pests does arise, it is important to get control of it quickly. Not being able to see animal droppings doesn't mean that there isn't an infestation. Animals often can live in areas of a home that humans can't access, such as between the walls. "There's a difference between your living space and your house," he said. "And a lot of people confuse the two." Vantassel also said there are a wealth of simple solutions that simply don't work. Ultrasounds have not been proven to keep rodents away from a home. Solutions like smells and repellents frequently fail to deliver the desired results. "If it sounds too easy, it is," Vantassel said. "There is no magic, there are no shortcuts." For more information about wildlife control, visit the eXtension Web site at www.eXtension.org or the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management at http://icwdm.org. 1/7/08 Date: 1/10/08
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