Fall Wildlife Prevention starts in September when wildlife searches for winter shelter. Squirrels and skunks choose decks and sheds as their top hiding spots in Windsor. These opportunistic animals cause serious structural damage to your property. They chew through wood, create potential entry points, and leave droppings and urine that spread disease. Taking proactive steps now prevents costly repairs and protects your home environment.
Why Squirrels and Skunks Choose Your Deck and Shed
Cold weather pushes wildlife to find places to overwinter. Your deck and shed offer exactly what these animals need for easy access to shelter.
Decks have spaces underneath that stay warmer than open ground. The area near your deck blocks wind and rain. Squirrels build nests in corners while skunks burrow beneath deck structures. Both animals squeeze through gaps around skirting or damaged boards, creating access points you might not notice.
Sheds provide even better protection with roof damage, foundation cracks, or loose doors that create potential damage risks. Squirrels chew through wooden walls. Skunks slip through openings as small as four inches. Don’t wait until it’s too late to address these vulnerabilities.
What Squirrels Do in Fall
Squirrels get very active between September and November. They collect nuts, store food, and build several nests in different spots as backup shelters.
Windsor has gray squirrels and red squirrels in every neighbourhood. Gray squirrels prefer sheds with attic spaces. Red squirrels like tighter spots under decks. Both types damage your property the same way.
Squirrels must chew constantly because their teeth never stop growing. They gnaw on deck railings, shed walls, and electrical wires. This behavior can lead to electrical fires. They also leave piles of droppings that create strong odors. Female squirrels return to the same location repeatedly if they find suitable nesting sites. Using humane wildlife removal methods prevents them from coming back.
How Skunks Behave in Fall
Skunks eat large amounts of food to gain weight before winter. They hunt for insects, grubs, mice, and garbage. Your property creates attraction if you have open trash cans, pet food outside, bird seed on the ground, or grubs in your lawn. Skunks dig small cone-shaped holes when searching for insects. These digger animals work at night near your deck and shed.
Skunks may pick their winter dens in October and November. The space under your deck works perfectly for preventing skunks from moving elsewhere once they settle in.
A skunk den creates serious problems. Skunks spray when threatened or trying to escape. They carry rabies, leptospirosis and salmonella. Their droppings contain parasites like raccoon roundworm that make people and pets sick. Professional wildlife control services handle these situations safely without harming the animals.
Signs That Wildlife Lives Under Your Deck or Shed
Check your deck and shed weekly during fall. Look for these warning signs:
Physical Evidence:
- Paw prints in dirt or mud around the base of structures
- Droppings near holes or in corners
- Fur stuck on sharp edges or torn screens
- Fresh teeth marks on chewed wood
- Nesting materials and new holes animals can’t hide
Property Damage:
- Holes in walls creating access points
- Torn window screens or vents
- Broken door seals with gaps around edges
- Loose deck boards showing structural damage
- Scratch marks and dark grease marks where animals walk repeatedly
Sounds and Smells:
- Scratching or running sounds at sunrise and sunset
- Strong animal odors from droppings and urine
- Squirrel chattering and fresh digging near structures
How to Protect Your Deck
Walk around the perimeter of your deck completely. Find every gap, crack, and hole. Squirrels fit through holes only two inches wide. Skunks squeeze through four-inch openings.
One of the most effective methods involves sealing entry points with wire mesh or hardware cloth. Attach this material around the base of your deck. Push it at least 12 inches into the ground to prevent access through digging. Make sure the mesh has no gaps at corners. Use hardware cloth because animals can’t chew through it. This creates a deterrent that keeps skunks from returning.
Fix broken deck boards immediately. Rotted wood creates potential entry points. Trim tree branches that hang over your deck. Squirrels jump from fruit trees onto structures. Keep tree branches at least six feet away from your deck railings to prevent access.
How to Secure Your Shed
Examine your shed’s foundation and fill cracks with concrete or steel mesh. Check corners carefully because these spots often have gaps around the structure.
Inspect your roof for holes or missing shingles that lead to damage. Replace damaged shingles immediately. Cover roof vents with metal guards. Make sure roof edges fit tight against walls.
Add weather stripping around your shed door, sealing entry points completely. Install a door sweep at the bottom that touches the ground. Many shed doors have gaps at the bottom that let skunks walk right in.
Put metal screening over windows and vents from inside the shed so animals can’t pull them off. Use screws instead of staples for long-term prevention. Move stored items away from walls. Store materials on shelves off the ground.
Other Preventative Measures to Keep Wildlife Away
Cut your grass short. Skunks feel exposed on short grass and avoid crossing your lawn. Short grass helps you spot digging faster and prevents them from feeling comfortable near your deck.
Remove food sources that create attraction. Use trash cans with tight lids. Bring pet food bowls inside after feeding. Pick up fallen fruit from fruit trees quickly. Store bird seed in sealed containers.
Treat your lawn for grubs in late summer. Skunks dig constantly in yards with many grubs. Removing this food source prevents skunks from staying in your neighbourhood.
When You Need Professional Support
Some wildlife problems require professional wildlife control. Don’t wait to call Pro Trap Wildlife Removal & Pest Control if you find:
- Baby animals in nests or animals living in structures for several days
- Many potential entry points that need repair
- Structural damage to support beams or foundations
- Sick or aggressive animals
- Wildlife that keeps coming back after removal attempts
Professional removal works better than DIY methods. Trained technicians find all access points that most homeowners miss. They remove animals safely using humane methods and follow Ontario wildlife laws. They also repair damage so animals don’t return.
Pro Trap Wildlife Removal & Pest Control: helps homeowners in Windsor, Essex County, Chatham Kent, and Sarnia. The company has over 30 years of experience removing squirrels and skunks safely without harming them.
Services include complete property inspections of the perimeter of your deck and shed, finding all potential entry points, professional repairs using materials animals can’t chew, cleaning up droppings and urine contamination, and preventative measures with guarantees to prevent future issues. Emergency service is available when you need urgent help.
Take Action Before Winter Arrives
Fall Wildlife Prevention stops property damage and protects your family’s health. Squirrels and skunks cause more structural damage over time. Animals that build nests come back every year. Acting now costs less than fixing major potential damage later.
Pro Trap Wildlife Removal & Pest Control keeps Windsor homes free from wildlife problems through professional wildlife control solutions and long-term prevention strategies. Call today for a property inspection. Protect your deck and shed before wildlife moves in and creates expensive damage. Contact the experienced team for fast service and guaranteed solutions that keep squirrels, skunks, and other wildlife away from your outdoor structures.
