As the crisp air rolls in across Northern Michigan and the leaves begin to fall, local wildlife starts preparing for the long winter ahead. Unfortunately, your warm, well-stocked home might look like the perfect place to ride out the cold. From mice in the pantry to raccoons under the deck, fall migration season can bring a wave of unwanted guests looking for food, warmth, and shelter.
At Critter Control® of Traverse City & Northern Michigan, we specialize in protecting Grand Traverse and Northern Michigan homes from these seasonal invaders. Critters can cause chaos, chewing wires, nesting in insulation, contaminating food, and spreading disease. As fall deepens, animals and insects grow more persistent in their attempts to move indoors. Here’s how to prepare your home and keep these common critters where they belong: outside.
Insects
As cooler weather sets in, many insects look for a warmer environment, and your home becomes an inviting place to overwinter. Ants, spiders, boxelder bugs, cluster flies, and stink bugs are especially active during this transition period. Once they’re in, they can be tough to remove and can multiply quickly.
- Seal cracks in your home’s exterior with caulk.
- Install or replace damaged weatherproof strips along doors and thresholds.
- Remove yard debris and trim bushes that touch or grow close to the home.
- Keep trash covered and stored away from entry points.
- Maintain a tidy home—store items in sealed containers lifted off the floor.
- Fix any leaky pipes or faucets to eliminate moisture sources that attract bugs.
Mice
When the temperature drops, mice are among the first critters to look for a way indoors. These small rodents can squeeze through holes as tiny as a dime, making it easy for them to enter attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Once inside, they can chew electrical wires, nest in insulation, and contaminate food supplies.
- Seal cracks with caulk and fill larger holes with wire mesh.
- Install exclusion mesh on vents and check screens for damage.
- Inspect windows and doors for gaps; replace or install weatherproofing.
- Keep food in sealed containers and clean up crumbs or spills promptly.
- Store boxes and supplies off the floor to limit hiding spots.
- Trim bushes and shrubs away from your home’s foundation.
Squirrels
Squirrels are agile climbers and notorious for nesting in attics, chimneys, and soffits when the weather cools. They often chew through wood, wiring, and insulation while building nests, which can lead to costly damage and potential fire hazards.
- Check the attic, eaves, and skylights for cracks or gaps.
- Install exclusion mesh over vents and chimneys.
- Trim overhanging branches that give squirrels easy roof access.
Bats
Northern Michigan bats begin seeking warm overwintering spots in late fall, and attics, barns, and chimneys often provide ideal shelter. While bats are beneficial to the environment, controlling insect populations, their droppings (guano) can pose serious health risks, and bite marks that have a chance of carrying rabies can go undetected. Because bats are a protected species, removal and exclusion should always be handled by a licensed wildlife control expert.
- Inspect attics, rafters, and skylights for any holes or openings.
- Install vent covers and chimney caps to block entry.
- Trim back branches near the upper levels of your home.
- Contact a licensed wildlife control expert for safe and legal bat removal.
Raccoons
Raccoons are intelligent and strong, using their dexterous paws to open garbage cans, remove shingles, or pry open vents to access attics and crawl spaces. They often den under decks, porches, or sheds and can cause structural damage while searching for food or nesting materials.
- Securing all garbage bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Checking attics and skylights for weak spots or entry holes.
- Cleaning out areas beneath decks or porches and installing sturdy lattice barriers.
- Installing exclusion mesh on vents and chimneys.
- Trimming back upper-level tree branches that give them roof access.
Skunks
As ground-dwelling animals, skunks often take shelter under decks, sheds, or porches during the fall. While they generally avoid people, they can spray when startled—and their burrowing habits may damage foundations or lawns.
- Seal or block access points beneath decks, sheds, and crawl spaces with sturdy materials.
- Keep garbage and pet food secured inside covered bins.
- Remove wood piles, brush, or debris that could offer shelter.
- Use motion-activated lights or sprinklers to discourage nighttime visitors.
Protect Your Northern Michigan Home This Fall
Wildlife migration season doesn’t have to mean wildlife in your home. With a few preventative measures—and help from your local experts—you can enjoy a peaceful, critter-free fall and winter.
If you discover signs of an infestation or hear suspicious noises in your walls, attic, or crawl space, don’t wait! Call us at (231) 238-3553 or contact us for a fast and FREE estimate today.