Wildlife Exclusion

---

Georgia homeowners spend thousands of dollars removing wildlife from their properties, only to watch the same animals—or new ones—return weeks or months later. This frustrating cycle continues because removal alone doesn't solve the underlying problem: your home has entry points that wildlife exploits repeatedly. Elite Wildlife Solutions specializes in wildlife exclusion services that permanently prevent animal intrusions, saving you money, protecting your property, and ending the endless cycle of wildlife invasions.

Georgia's Wildlife Entry Point Problems

Year-Round Wildlife Pressure

Unlike in northern states, where wildlife activity slows during harsh winters, Georgia's mild climate keeps animals active year-round. Raccoons, squirrels, rats, bats, and other species continuously search for shelter and food sources. Your home represents an ideal habitat—protected from weather, safe from predators, and often located near abundant food sources.

According to Georgia Department of Natural Resources data, wildlife conflicts in residential areas have increased 60% over the past decade as urban sprawl reduces natural habitat. Animals adapt remarkably well to human environments, and once they discover entry points to your home, they'll exploit them repeatedly or communicate locations to other animals through scent marking.

Aging Home Construction

Many Georgia homes were built 20-50+ years ago when construction standards didn't prioritize wildlife exclusion. Gaps that seemed insignificant during construction become perfect entry points as materials age and homes settle. Wood rots, metal corrodes, caulking dries and cracks, and small gaps widen into wildlife highways.

Research from Penn State Extension shows that homes older than 15 years have an 80% chance of having at least one entry point large enough for wildlife access. In Georgia's climate, where heat, humidity, and occasional storms accelerate material degradation, this timeline is significantly shortened.

Common Entry Points Georgia Homes Have

Roof-Soffit Gaps: The junction where roofs meet soffits is consistently the \#1 entry point for raccoons, squirrels, and bats in Georgia homes. Construction gaps, rotted wood, or missing soffit sections create easy openings for animals. Squirrels can enter through gaps just 1.5 inches wide—roughly the diameter of a golf ball.

Gable Vents: Decorative gable vents often use thin screening that raccoons tear through in seconds. Many older homes have wooden louvered vents that rot and fall apart, leaving openings directly into attics.

Ridge Vents: Improperly installed or damaged ridge vents allow bats to enter. Bats need openings only 3/8 inch—about the width of a dime—making ridge vent gaps perfect access points.

Roof Vents: Plumbing vent boots deteriorate in Georgia's sun and heat. The rubber or plastic deteriorates, creating gaps around vent pipes. Turbine vents develop gaps as bearings fail and components separate.

Chimney Issues: Uncapped chimneys invite raccoons, squirrels, birds, and bats. Georgia homeowners often discover raccoon families birthing young in chimneys every spring—a problem entirely preventable with proper chimney caps.

Foundation Gaps: Settling foundations, erosion, and poor original construction create gaps where foundations meet siding. These ground-level entries invite rats, mice, snakes, and opossums into crawl spaces and eventually into living spaces.

Crawlspace Vents: Standard crawlspace vent screens use wide mesh that rats chew through easily. Many older homes have broken or missing vent covers, providing unrestricted rodent access.

Utility Penetrations: Gaps around electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and cable penetrations through exterior walls create entry points. These are often overlooked during construction and widen over time.

The Cost of Not Excluding Wildlife

Failing to properly exclude wildlife creates escalating costs:

Repeat Removals: Removing the same species repeatedly costs $300-800 per incident. Without exclusion, you're paying for removal indefinitely while never solving the underlying problem.

Cumulative Damage: Each wildlife intrusion causes new damage. Animals destroy insulation, chew wiring, damage ductwork, and contaminate waste. Damage costs typically range from $2,000 to $15,000+, depending on the duration and severity of the infestation.

Health Risks: Ongoing wildlife presence means continuous exposure to diseases, parasites, and pathogens. Family health risks increase with exposure duration.

Property Value Impact: Homes with wildlife problems and visible damage sell for less and take longer to sell. Real estate disclosures require disclosing wildlife history, which deters potential buyers.

Insurance Issues: Some insurance companies raise rates or drop coverage after multiple wildlife damage claims. Proper exclusion prevents claims and associated insurance complications.

How Our Exclusion Services Solve These Problems

Comprehensive Property Inspection

We don't just look for obvious entry points—we inspect every potential vulnerability. Our technicians examine:

• •Entire roof perimeter, including all soffit-roof junctions
• •All vents (gable, ridge, roof, turbine, and crawlspace)
• •Chimney condition and cap status
• •Foundation-to-siding transitions around the entire perimeter
• •All utility penetrations through exterior walls
• •Window and door frames for gaps
• •Deck and porch undersides
• •Areas where different building materials meet

We identify not just current entry points but potential future vulnerabilities. Animals test dozens of locations before finding entry—we secure all vulnerabilities before they're discovered.

Permanent Materials and Methods

We use commercial-grade exclusion materials designed to withstand Georgia's climate and determined wildlife:

1/4-Inch Hardware Cloth: Heavy-gauge galvanized steel mesh that prevents all wildlife entry. Unlike cheap screening, hardware cloth resists chewing, tearing, and corrosion. We use this for vent covers, foundation gaps, and large openings.

Metal Flashing: Aluminum or galvanized steel flashing permanently seals roof-soffit gaps. We install flashing that matches your home's appearance while providing impenetrable barriers.

Chimney Caps: Professional-grade stainless steel or copper caps with appropriate mesh sizing prevent all animal entry while allowing proper draft. Caps include spark arrestors meeting fire codes.

Expandable Foam Sealant: Professional-grade foam seals irregular gaps around utilities and penetrations. We use foam containing deterrent compounds that prevent rodent chewing.

One-Way Doors: For active infestations, we install one-way exclusion devices that allow animals to exit but prevent re-entry. This humane approach removes wildlife without trapping.

Species-Specific Solutions

Different animals require different exclusion approaches:

Raccoons: Need extremely robust exclusion because of their strength and dexterity. We reinforce vulnerable areas with heavy materials that raccoons cannot manipulate or tear through.

Squirrels: Excel at chewing, so exclusion materials must resist gnawing. We use metal components for all squirrel-prone entry points.

Bats: Require specific exclusion timing following Georgia regulations. We install bat valves during appropriate seasons, allowing exit but preventing re-entry. We seal openings down to 3/8 inch—bat entry size.

Rats and Mice: Can enter through incredibly small gaps, so we seal openings down to 1/4 inch around entire structures. Ground-level exclusion is critical for rodent prevention.

Snakes: Enter through foundation gaps and crawlspace vents. We install fine mesh screening and seal foundation cracks, preventing snake access.

Exclusion Benefits

One-Time Investment: Unlike repeated removal costs, exclusion is a permanent solution. You pay once and protect your home indefinitely.

Immediate Protection: Once exclusion is complete, your home is protected immediately. No waiting for results—wildlife simply cannot enter.

Property Value Protection: Properly excluded homes maintain value and avoid disclosure issues during sales. Many buyers specifically look for homes with professional exclusion already completed.

Peace of Mind: Stop worrying about nocturnal noises, damage, and health risks. Exclusion eliminates wildlife anxiety completely.

Energy Efficiency Bonus: Sealing entry points also seals air leaks, reducing heating and cooling costs. Many customers notice lower energy bills after exclusion work.

Our Exclusion Process

1\. Complete Inspection: We identify every entry point and vulnerability, documenting findings with photos and detailed notes.

2\. Wildlife Removal: If animals are currently present, we remove them using humane methods before beginning exclusion.

3\. Entry Point Prioritization: We seal entry points strategically, ensuring no animals become trapped inside during exclusion.

4\. Professional Installation: Our experienced technicians install exclusion materials using proven techniques that withstand weather and animal pressure.

5\. Quality Verification: We verify that all work meets our standards and that no gaps remain before completing projects.

6\. Warranty Protection: We guarantee our exclusion work. If wildlife enters through our work, we return and fix the problem at no charge.

Why DIY Exclusion Fails

Many homeowners attempt DIY exclusion using hardware-store materials and online advice. These attempts typically fail because:

• •Incomplete Identification: Missing hidden entry points means wildlife finds alternate routes
• •Inadequate Materials: Consumer-grade products don't withstand determined animals
• •Improper Installation: Poor installation creates gaps or weak points that animals exploit
• •Animal Trapping: Sealing all openings without ensuring animals are out first traps wildlife inside, creating worse problems
• •Code Violations: Improper chimney cap installation or vent modification can violate building codes

Professional exclusion costs more upfront than DIY attempts but succeeds the first time, saving money and frustration long-term.

Service Area Coverage

Elite Wildlife Solutions provides exclusion services throughout Georgia for residential and commercial properties. We serve metro Atlanta, surrounding counties, and communities statewide. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.

Investment Protection

Exclusion pricing varies based on home size, entry-point quantity, and required materials. Most residential exclusion projects range from $800 to $ 3,500, depending on scope. This one-time investment prevents thousands in repeated removal costs and damage repairs while protecting your home indefinitely.

We provide detailed written estimates before beginning work, explaining exactly what we'll do and why each component is necessary. No hidden fees or surprise charges—you'll know total costs upfront.

Get Permanent Protection

Stop the cycle of repeated wildlife invasions. Elite Wildlife Solutions' professional exclusion services provide permanent protection, saving you money while keeping your home safe from all Georgia wildlife.

Schedule your free inspection today and receive a comprehensive evaluation of your home's vulnerabilities with a detailed exclusion plan and pricing.