How Can I Tell What Animals Are in The Basement?

Protecting your home from animal invaders doesn’t have to be a challenge. As long as you know what signs to look for, you should be able to identify the animal that’s moved into your basement before reaching out to an expert who can help you with its removal.

Some of the most common unwanted basement guests include but are not limited to:

Rodents 

If you have cracks in your basement walls or floors, you’ve laid out the welcome mat for a plethora of rodents. Squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and rats will all make their way into your home, provided they have half a chance. Though you’re most likely to see these unwanted guests during the coldest months of the year, there’s always a chance that one may form a nest inside of your walls, munch on your cords, and overall make your basement less pleasant to be in. 

The different kinds of rodents who can wiggle their way into your home will all leave similar indicators of their presence. Rodents tend to leave droppings in smaller bunches, as do chipmunks. Squirrels tend to make a larger mess if only due to their size. The primary difference between the destruction these critters can wreak on your home is the location of that destruction. Rats, as well as mice, tend to keep their destruction closer to the ground, leaving wood chips and ruined drywall near your joints. Squirrels and chipmunks, comparatively, can cause more damage to your basement ceiling and rafters. 

Snakes 

Snakes do not pose an immediate threat to the structural integrity of your home. Instead, they’re more of a safety threat. These creatures tend to move toward the warmest parts of your basement, meaning that you can find them near your sump pump battery, your HVAC system, your heater, and so on. If any pets or children get too close to these utilities without spotting a snake, they can get seriously hurt. 

Snakes are unfortunately difficult to make out in a darker or unfinished basement. You can watch for snakeskin, though, if you want to keep an eye out for these invaders. Trust your pets, too. If your cat or dog starts to avoid one part of your basement, you may want to reach out to an area exterminator to figure out what’s going on. 

Raccoons 

Any animal that gets into your home can be a nuisance. Raccoons, however, can add a willful air to their destruction of your basement. A raccoon’s paws are versatile enough to allow them to tear into your insulation, destroy your drywall, and otherwise make their gleeful way throughout the darker corners of your home. Pregnant raccoons can often settle in your basement in an attempt to nest shortly before giving birth, making them an even more immediate problem to deal with. 

Raccoons, like rodents, tend to leave droppings behind once they make their way indoors. These creatures, however, are much noisier than their smaller cousins. If you detect odd sounds throughout your basement, leave an inspection to the experts. It’s better for someone with the appropriate protective equipment to face a raccoon head-on than you and the rest of your family. 

Bats and Birds 

Both birds and bats alike can get into your basement if you happen to leave your door open for a hair too long. While bats don’t pose an immediate threat to the structural integrity of your home, they are a health and aesthetic hazard. Bats can bring diseases into your home and cause you and your children to get sick for seemingly no reason. 

Birds are also bacteria magnets, but they are often more destruction-oriented than bats. For starters, birds will often make an active effort to try and escape from your home, meaning that you’re likely to encounter feathers and smudged windows throughout your basement. Similarly, birds may be more destructive in their hunt for food inside your home. 

Bats and birds alike tend to leave feces throughout your home. You’ll have an easier time distinguishing between the two simply due to the nature of each creature’s biology. Birds, however, will often build their nests within the basement, conglomerating in one particular area after stealing the materials they need to make themselves comfortable. When in doubt, follow the feces back to the nest, and you’ll have an easier time getting unwanted birds out of your home. 

Bats, comparatively, can travel throughout your basement. Trust your eyes and ears as you make your way through your basement, and you’ll have a better chance of spotting these unwanted guests. 

Removing Unwanted Invaders from Your Home 

Maintaining a healthy home is difficult enough on its own. Trying to contend with animal invaders makes that task all the harder, especially when the structural integrity of your basement is at risk. 

Unfortunately, the professionals in your area with the expertise to repair your basement cannot remove animals from your home. However, you can reach out to these parties to see if they might recommend any specific exterminators or animal control professionals working out of Cleveland, OH. Once you’ve gotten your unwanted guests away from the home, it’s easy to get a free services quote on any repairs you may need to restore the structural integrity of your home.