Wildlife Entry Points Most Homeowners Never Notice

Wildlife rarely walks through the front door. Instead, they exploit small, hidden weaknesses around your home — many of which homeowners never notice until damage is already done.

Here are the most common entry points we find during inspections across Virginia:

1. Gable Vents

Bats, birds, squirrels, and even raccoons slip behind louvers or damaged interior screens.
Solution: Exterior metal screening.

2. Roof Returns & Soffit Intersections

These “soft spots” are easy targets for squirrels and raccoons to pry open.
Solution: Reinforced metal flashing and exclusion.

3. Ridge Vents

Old or weak ridge vents can be pushed up, creating a gap along the roofline.
Solution: Wildlife-rated ridge vent guards.

4. Utility Penetrations

Gaps around pipes, AC lines, conduit, and cable wires often leave rodent-sized openings.
Solution: Seal with rodent-proof materials, not foam alone.

5. Crawlspace Doors

Improperly sealed or warped doors invite snakes, raccoons, opossums, and rodents.
Solution: Tight-fitting, reinforced weatherproof doors.

6. Foundation Gaps & Settling Cracks

Small structural shifts create rodent-sized openings. Mice only need ¼ inch.
Solution: Professional sealing and exterior exclusion.

7. Fascia Board Rot

Moisture damage creates weak points that wildlife quickly exploit.
Solution: Replace and reinforce with wildlife-proof backing.

Small openings lead to big problems. A professional inspection can find what’s hidden long before wildlife does.

540-838-1601 | www.10elevennwc.com