They tend to carry on with their typical habits. Squirrels will be the least of your worries this chilly season. In that case, there is a high chance you have a raccoon wreaking havoc in your yard. For example, suppose you suddenly notice broken bird feeders, messy trash cans, and dug-up flower beds. They are also known for causing quite a bit of damage to homeowners’ yards. Unfortunately, some illnesses raccoons transmit can be contracted through direct contact with their waste or inhalation. They are one of the primary carriers of rabies and spread salmonella, leptospirosis, and roundworm. Like rats and mice, raccoons are most known for their destructive habits and spreading disease. Indoors, you’ll likely find them under the crawl space, in the attic, or inside an unused chimney. Unfortunately, they may also decide to stick out the winter in the comfort of your home. Some create a home from fallen trees, abandoned burrows, or a hole in a tree.

They are solitary creatures, but it’s common to find more than one raccoon sharing a single den.Ī raccoon’s winter den can take many forms. However, you’ll notice more raccoons hiding away if we experience a season with abnormally low temperatures. In the warmer states, like Alabama, they are less likely to sleep through the winter and more likely to stay active. Depending on where they are in the country, raccoons often sleep the winter away in a den. They put on extra weight to survive the cool weather. Their typical food sources will likely be scarce through the harsh winter months, so it is typical for raccoons to search for nutrition in other locations, like your home.īut be careful-raccoons are notorious for spreading terrible diseases!Īs the air begins to chill, raccoons keep busy eating as much food as possible. However, they will make their presence apparent through many pesky clues, like raided trash bins and torn-up gardens. At the very least, their urine and feces may cause stains and emit a foul odor. Rats and mice will even gnaw at electrical wires and fixtures, causing house fires. They are also notorious for chewing at structures and causing significant damage. First, mice and rats are known for spreading nasty diseases and contaminating household foods. If you have rats or mice in or around your home, there are some health and safety concerns you must know. In fact, a mouse or rat may even take up residence in your vehicle for the winter season! Rats and mice prefer nesting inside our homes, under the crawlspace, or in natural caves because they are often warmer and more protected than underground soil. That is, if they don’t have easy access to a cave or human dwelling. They are skilled diggers, so they often burrow into the ground against a fence, rock, or external wall. In the winter, rats and mice move from their typical summer or spring home to find a warmer and more hidden location than usual. Rats and mice may even reproduce during the winter. Instead, they remain active, just far less busy than during warmer seasons. When the temperature begins to cool, rats and mice search for a warm shelter to protect themselves from the harsh weather and predators desperate for a winter meal. While other species tend to hide and essentially sleep the winter away, rats and mice are more abundant indoors than ever as they seek warmth and shelter. Unlike much wildlife in the winter, you can expect to see more rats and mice. Here are the four most common winter critters that may become an issue on your property or indoors.

Alabama’s Common Winter PestsĮspecially because Alabama experiences milder winters, you should still expect to see wildlife scurrying around and possibly entering your home.

Continue reading to discover why you may see far less wildlife when the temperatures drop. In this blog from Covenant Wildlife Removal, we will discuss what our local creatures do and where they go to survive harsh conditions. So, where does wildlife go in the winter?

In Alabama, most of our local critters don’t even hibernate through the chilly weather. Don’t be fooled-Just because you see less wildlife running around during winter doesn’t mean they are not there.

Do raccoons hibernate or migrate