Traveling for the holidays is exciting. Whether you’re visiting family, heading to a winter getaway, or just escaping the daily routine, it’s a time to relax and enjoy. But while you’re away, your empty home could become the perfect refuge for wildlife. Raccoons, squirrels, and rodents don’t take holidays—they take advantage of quiet homes where they can slip inside, seeking warmth and shelter.

The last thing you want after a great trip is to return home and find a mess—or worse, an animal infestation. Taking a few simple steps before you leave can go a long way in securing your home from wildlife while traveling and preventing unwanted guests from moving in.

Why Wildlife Targets Homes During the Holidays

When temperatures drop and food gets scarce, wildlife starts looking for better shelter. Your home, with its warmth and protection, is a prime target—especially when no one’s around to scare them off. Holiday home protection from pests becomes even more important during travel because an empty house is an easy opportunity for animals.

Think about it: no people, no noise, and, in many cases, an easy way inside. Add in a few tempting holiday decorations, unsealed trash bins, or an overgrown yard, and you’ve just rolled out the welcome mat for wildlife. Animals that would usually stay hidden suddenly feel bold enough to explore, nest, and settle in.

How Wildlife Gets Inside Your Home

Wild animals don’t need an open front door to break in. They’re experts at squeezing through small gaps and finding weak spots most homeowners don’t notice. Attics are one of the easiest access points—loose shingles, roof vents, or tiny gaps along the eaves give raccoons, squirrels, and rodents a way inside. Chimneys are another common entryway, especially if they’re uncapped, allowing birds, bats, or even raccoons to nest inside.

Garages are another vulnerable spot. Gaps under garage doors or tiny openings around the edges provide just enough room for mice and rats to sneak through. And let’s not forget doors and windows—small cracks in door frames or weather stripping can let in all kinds of unwanted visitors. If you want to protect your home from wildlife while traveling, start by identifying these weak spots.

How to Secure Your Home From Wildlife Before Traveling

A little preparation before your trip can make a big difference in keeping wildlife outside where it belongs.

Inspect and Seal Entry Points

Before you leave, take a walk around your home and check for cracks, holes, or gaps in the foundation, roof, and siding. Pay close attention to attic vents, chimneys, and the areas around doors and windows. If you find small gaps, use caulk or weather stripping. For larger openings, steel mesh or concrete is a better option. Preventing wildlife home invasions during holidays starts with making sure there’s no way in.

Secure Trash and Remove Food Sources

Wildlife follows its nose—if they smell food, they’ll come looking for it. Make sure garbage bins are tightly sealed with wildlife-proof lids or store them in a garage or shed. If you can, double-bag anything with a strong odor, like meat scraps, before tossing it out. Also, don’t forget pet food, birdseed, or any fallen fruit in your yard—clear it out before you go to make your property less appealing to scavengers.

Protect Your Attic and Chimney

If you haven’t already, install a chimney cap with a mesh screen to keep out birds, bats, and raccoons. Check your attic vents for damage and replace any broken screens. If there’s clutter or potential nesting material up there, clean it out. The fewer hiding spots, the better.

Store Holiday Decorations Properly

Decorations might not seem like a big deal, but edible ones—like popcorn garlands or candy canes—can attract wildlife. Even non-edible decorations can be a problem if stored improperly. Pack everything in sealed plastic bins rather than cardboard boxes, which rodents can chew through.

Maintain Your Yard

A well-kept yard can help keep wildlife at bay. Trim back tree branches that hang near your roof to make it harder for animals to get into your attic. Store firewood at least 20 feet from your house and keep it raised off the ground. Clear away leaves, woodpiles, and other debris—these spots make perfect hiding places for wildlife.

Taking these steps makes your home much less inviting to animals while you’re away. But even with the best precautions, wildlife sometimes finds a way inside.

What to Do If You Discover Wildlife in Your Home

You just got back from your trip, and something feels off. Maybe you hear scratching noises in the attic, find droppings in a closet, or notice chewed wires. If wildlife made its way in while you were gone, don’t panic—but don’t try to handle it yourself, either.

Wild animals can be unpredictable, especially if they feel cornered. Many carry diseases, and some, like raccoons, can be aggressive if threatened. The safest move is to call a professional wildlife removal service in Central Florida to assess the situation. Experts have the right tools and experience to remove wildlife safely and can also clean up any contamination left behind. Acting quickly helps prevent further damage or health risks.

Long-Term Wildlife Prevention for Future Trips

If you travel often, putting long-term holiday home protection from pests strategies in place can keep your home wildlife-free year-round.to prevent wildlife issues during future trips.

Schedule Regular Wildlife Inspections

Having a professional inspect your home once or twice a year can make a huge difference. They’ll catch small entry points or potential wildlife activity before it turns into a full-blown infestation.

Install Protective Barriers

Chimney caps, vent screens, and foundation barriers are simple but effective. If burrowing animals like rodents or armadillos are a concern, install barriers at least six inches underground to prevent digging.

Arrange for Regular Home Check-Ins

If you’re away for a while, ask a friend, neighbor, or home monitoring service to check on your property. They can look for signs of wildlife activity, keep trash bins secure, and make sure nothing is drawing animals to your home.

By putting these measures in place, you can enjoy your trips without worrying about unexpected visitors while you’re gone.

Protect Your Home Before You Travel

The holidays should be about relaxing, celebrating, and making memories—not dealing with a wildlife problem when you get home. Taking the time to secure your home from wildlife while traveling can save you from stress, damage, and costly repairs later.

If you need help preventing wildlife home invasions during the holidays, Wildout Animal and Pest Removal is ready to assist. Our expert team provides wildlife removal services in Central Florida, sealing entry points and keeping your home protected. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and travel with peace of mind, knowing your home is secure.

Contact Us:

Wildout Animal and Pest Removal

Lakeland

863-315-WILD (315-9453)

Orlando

407-465-WILD (465-9453)

Tampa

813-WILDOUT (945-3688)

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