Winters in Southwestern Ontario bring freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and biting winds. Wildlife such as raccoons, squirrels, skunks, and mice spend late autumn searching for warm, dark, and quiet spaces to overwinter.
Unfortunately, human residences provide ideal conditions. Understanding where animals hide allows you to identify vulnerabilities before infestations take hold.
1. Attics and Roof Cavities
Attics offer elevated, dry shelter filled with soft insulation—ideal nesting material. Raccoons and squirrels frequently chew through soffit vents, tear off roof shingles, or force open rotting fascia boards to gain access. Once inside, they can damage electrical wiring and contaminate insulation.
2. Beneath Decks, Porches, and Sheds
Low-clearance ground structures shield wildlife from wind and snow accumulation. Skunks, opossums, and groundhogs burrow under unsealed shed foundations and deck skirts. If your structure lacks underground barriers, it becomes a winter shelter. For step-by-step prevention, see our guide on installing trench exclusion mesh under decks and sheds.
3. Chimneys and Flues
An uncapped chimney acts as a natural hollow tree for raccoons and squirrels. Animals climb down tile flues to nest above fireplace dampers. Once inside, they can get trapped or introduce fleas and mites into your living space. Installing a heavy-gauge steel chimney cap is essential pre-winter maintenance.
4. Wall Voids and Utility Entry Points
Mice and rats need an opening no larger than a dime to squeeze into outer walls. Unsealed utility penetrations—where AC lines, gas pipes, and dryer vents enter the foundation—offer direct access to warm wall cavities near interior heating ductwork.
5. Crawlspaces and Attached Garages
Garages stored full of clutter, cardboard boxes, and lawn equipment provide ample cover. Vehicle engines left parked inside radiate heat for hours, attracting rodents. Broken weather stripping along garage door bottoms or unsealed crawlspace vents give wildlife easy entry.
Protecting Your Home Before Winter
Conducting seasonal exterior sweeps prevents winter wildlife intrusions. If you suspect animals have already moved into your attic or walls, contact Pestward’s wildlife management team for safe, humane removal.