5 Ways to Keep Unwanted Pests and Animals Out of Your House

No one likes uninvited house guests, especially when they have tails. Whether it’s a mouse, squirrel, rat or raccoon, these home invaders can cause a lot of problems. Avoid the hassle of chewed wires and contaminated food with these tips for keeping your home pest-free.

1.  Secure Your Garbage

Your outdoor garbage cans attract critters, so you need to make sure that they are only accessible to humans. Whether you use bungee cords or special bins, your lids should stay on even when they’re knocked over or tampered with. We also recommend giving your bins a good rinse once in a while so that they don’t smell.

If you’ve had issues in the past with critters getting into your garbage cans, you should consider installing a shed that critters cant access. A large container or shed can be purchased online or built custom for your home. If you need help securing your garbage, connect with a shed specialist to see what solutions they recommend.

2. Seal Entryways

[

](https://blog.homestars.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/shutterstock_1303370905-1-scaled.jpg)Critters often get into your home through tiny gaps in your roof or basement. You need to ensure that any visible holes or cracks are covered with caulk or steel wool. Inspect the areas where pipes and utilities go into your home, as well as your foundation and your chimney.

3. Store Food Properly

This goes for both inside and outside of your home. Indoors, be sure that your food is sealed in airtight containers and out of reach of potential invaders. Take your garbage out frequently and declutter areas like your attic and basement regularly.

If you plan on having backyard parties, be sure to clean up any food left behind the night of. Remember to clean up spills as quickly as possible and properly store garbage and debris.

4. Store Firewood 20+ Feet Away from Your Home

[

](https://blog.homestars.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/shutterstock_718630489-1-scaled.jpg)When you keep your firewood close to the house, it invites unwanted critters into your home. Mice, termites and beetles love to nest in woodpiles, and if placed close enough to your home, they will have an easier time making their way inside. Be sure to store your firewood at least 20 feet away from your home so that you don’t accidentally bring something inside.

5. Trim Trees and Shrubbery

This last tip will help prevent squirrels from making their way into your attic. Do your best to keep your trees and bushes trimmed away from your windows and roof. Squirrels are known to be able to jump about 6 feet, so branches should be that distance or further from your home.

Below are the average costs of Pest & Animal Control services across different cities in Canada:

| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum | | Barrie | $382 | $100 | $25,000 | | Calgary | $825 | $100 | $8,250 | | Edmonton | $879 | $175 | $1,550 | | Hamilton | $1,042 | $100 | $30,000 | | Oshawa | $350 | $200 | $500 | | Ottawa | $695 | $100 | $50,000 | | Toronto | $617 | $100 | $50,000 | | Vancouver | $414 | $100 | $22,500 |

\¹ Costs based on 9231 verified Canadian homeowner reviews as of March 2022

If you suspect that you have pests in your house or on your property, the best way to get rid of them is with the help of a pro. Connect with a pest removal company and say good-bye to annoying critters for good.

Article updated April 14, 2020.