How to Keep Animals Out of Your Crawl Space

Your home’s crawl space can be a magnet for unwanted animals like raccoons, skunks, opossums, and even rodents. These areas offer shelter, warmth, and safety, making them prime real estate for wildlife. If you’ve noticed signs of animals living under your home or want to prevent them from getting in, you may be wondering, "How can I keep animals out of my crawl space?" Fortunately, there are effective steps you can take to safeguard this part of your home and keep wildlife at bay.

1. Seal All Entry Points

The most effective way to keep animals out of your crawl space is by sealing any potential entry points. Animals often squeeze through tiny gaps or use damaged areas to access your home’s crawl space. Common entry points include:

• Vents: Ensure all crawl space vents are covered with durable, metal mesh to prevent animals from entering.

• Loose siding or foundation gaps: Inspect your home’s foundation for cracks, gaps, or loose panels that could allow animals inside. Seal these areas with caulking or expandable foam.

• Damaged doors or screens: If you have access doors to your crawl space, ensure they are in good condition with no tears or holes in any screens. Replace or repair damaged doors and covers.

Even small gaps can be large enough for smaller animals like mice or rats, so thoroughly inspect the area and make necessary repairs.

2. Install a Physical Barrier

Installing a physical barrier is one of the best ways to keep wildlife from getting under your home. There are a few effective methods to do this:

• Mesh Fencing: Use galvanized mesh or hardware cloth to cover open areas around your crawl space. Dig the fencing a few inches into the ground and bend it outward to prevent animals from burrowing under it.

• Lattice or Skirting: For homes with raised crawl spaces, adding lattice or solid skirting can block access to the space below. Make sure it’s secure to the foundation, with no gaps that animals can squeeze through.

• Concrete or Gravel Barrier: If animals are burrowing under your home, laying down gravel or concrete around the perimeter can discourage them from digging.

Physical barriers are an excellent long-term solution for keeping animals out while maintaining airflow to your crawl space.

3. Eliminate Attractants

One of the main reasons animals seek out your crawl space is because they’re drawn by something they need—typically food or shelter. By removing attractants, you can make your home less appealing to wildlife. Here’s how:

• Secure Trash Cans: Make sure garbage cans are tightly sealed and stored away from the house. The smell of food in garbage can easily attract animals like raccoons and opossums.

• Remove Pet Food and Water: Avoid leaving pet food or water outside overnight, as it can attract a variety of wildlife. Feed pets indoors whenever possible.

• Trim Back Vegetation: Overgrown shrubs, trees, and bushes can provide cover for animals near your home. Keep vegetation trimmed and at a distance from your home’s foundation.

• Clean Up Yard Debris: Piles of leaves, wood, or other debris can provide an inviting habitat for animals looking for shelter. Regularly clear your yard to reduce potential nesting spots.

By eliminating food sources and hiding spots, you’re reducing the likelihood that animals will make their way into your crawl space.

4. Install Motion-Activated Deterrents

Another effective way to keep animals out of your crawl space is to install motion-activated deterrents. These devices detect movement and activate sound, light, or water sprays to scare animals away. Some options include:

• Motion-activated lights: Sudden bright lights can startle animals and discourage them from hanging around your home.

• Ultrasonic sound devices: These emit high-pitched sounds that are irritating to animals but generally unnoticeable to humans.

• Motion-activated sprinklers: A harmless but surprising spray of water can deter animals from getting too close to your crawl space.

While these deterrents are not a permanent solution, they can be an additional layer of protection against animals exploring your property.

5. Use Natural Repellents

Natural repellents can also help keep animals away from your crawl space. There are several non-toxic options that you can try, including:

• Peppermint Oil: Many animals dislike the strong scent of peppermint oil. You can soak cotton balls in the oil and place them around crawl space entry points, or use peppermint spray.

• Vinegar: The pungent smell of vinegar can act as a deterrent for some animals. Spray a vinegar solution around your crawl space entrances to keep animals at bay.

• Commercial Animal Repellents: There are several commercial animal repellents available that use natural ingredients like predator urine or garlic to deter wildlife. These are generally safe to use around the home and can be effective in keeping animals away.

6. Call a Professional for Wildlife Removal

If you already have animals living in your crawl space, it’s important to call a professional for wildlife removal. At Critter Capture, we specialize in the safe and humane removal of wildlife, including raccoons, skunks, and more. Our experts will carefully assess your home, remove the animals, and help seal entry points to prevent them from coming back.

Conclusion: Keeping Animals Out of Your Crawl Space

Preventing wildlife from entering your crawl space requires a combination of securing entry points, eliminating attractants, and using deterrents. By taking these proactive measures, you can protect your home from unwanted visitors and avoid costly damage. If you’re dealing with animals in your crawl space and need help, Critter Capture is here to provide professional wildlife removal services.