

Some animals, like groundhogs, may be hard to detect if they are hibernating.

When you establish the barrier, make sure no animals are trapped inside the crawlspace. For this type of problem, use a barrier, like a mesh fence that goes 18 inches underground, with a bottom edge that curves outward to discourage animals from clawing their way in. These animals are good diggers and can go under barriers to get into the crawlspace. For some animals, patching holes and sealing possible entrances can keep wildlife out, but more work is needed to deter burrowing animals. The easiest way to get rid of critters in your crawlspace is to prevent them from coming in. More than 3 inches: raccoons, woodchucks, opossums, house or feral cats, foxes, and skunks.One way to determine the type of critter is to examine the size of any noticeable hole. If you notice holes, chewed materials, droppings, or a distinct odor inside the crawlspace or small patches of grass ripped out or long underground burrows outside the crawlspace, you probably have a critter inside. And, if they are sick or injured and don’t recover, you’re faced with the unpleasant task of dead animal removal. They chew on wood, plastic, insulation, wires and any other material, damaging property. The animals leave urine and droppings that can make the area smell. They bring food into your crawlspace-into your home-that can draw additional critters. While some homeowners don’t mind co-existing with critters and are content to let them be until spring, wildlife in your crawlspace can cause problems. They make an ideal winter home for animals that like to burrow. Crawlspaces can be particularly vulnerable because they often have at least some small openings and are infrequently monitored. As the weather gets colder, wildlife animals seek safe, dry and warm places to escape winter.
