What Animals Do In The Winter

What Animals Do In The Winter

As temperatures drop, wildlife and pests start looking for a warm place to stay. While many animals hibernate, there are plenty that do not, but they start looking for a warm place to take shelter. This could be in the ground or in a tree, but it could also be in your attic or crawlspace!

Raccoons In the Winter

While raccoons are not true hibernators, they slow down in the winter and rely on fat reserves stored over the warmer months.

Raccoons live in dens, and when the weather is cold, they like to say in their den. Raccoons are not picky when it comes to where they will make their den, and they are open to sharing with other raccoons. It could be in a tree trunk, a den another animal has abandoned, or you may see a raccoon make a den in your crawlspace or attic.

Raccoons in winter come out of their den every few weeks to look for food and water. They will eat whatever they can get ahold of because food and water are hard to come by. Out in the wild, raccoons will eat nuts, seeds, and leaves. Raccoons will also take advantage of dumpsters for a hearty meal. If they know your house or trash can is an easy food source, they will make your house a frequent stopping place for meals. 

Raccoons are known to move from den to den every so often in the colder months. They do this to protect themselves from predators. If a raccoon has babies, they will stay in one place for longer. They will usually wait until the kits are old enough to be safely moved. If raccoons find your home a suitable denning location, you could have a family living with you for a while without the proper wildlife removal techniques.

Rodents In the Winter

Rodents do not hibernate, so to survive the cold temperatures, they need a warm place to stay. Rodents in the wild will make cozy burrows in tall grass and thick shrubs.  

Rodents are a common nuisance in the winter because they have a way of choosing your home to make their cozy winter den! Mice and rats use their whiskers to sense warmer air and will follow that warm air to make their cozy home for the winter. They also use their excellent sense of smell to locate food sources. Mice can get into a hole the size of a dime, so if they sense food or warmth from your home, they are experts at finding their way inside.

As the temperatures start to drop in the fall, rodents prepare for winter. They store food away to have enough for the cold season ahead. An unused drawer or hole in your attic that is insulated make the perfect place for rodents to store away stockpiles of food for the cold weather ahead. 

Squirrels In the Winter

Squirrels do not hibernate, so to survive, they start putting on pounds before winter hits. In the fall, squirrels will start hoarding food and preparing their nest to bundle up in throughout the winter. The most common place for squirrels in the winter to make their nest is in trees. However, like rodents, they may find your home to be a suitable place for a den as well. As the winter progresses, and food is scarce, you may see squirrels looking for food in the woods, your yard, or your trash can.

As squirrels look for the perfect place to spend the winter, your home could be just the spot. A hole in the attic with insulation or an unused closet with blankets would make the perfect den for them to store their food and spend the cold months ahead. 

Snakes In the Winter

Snakes brumate in the winter, which is similar to hibernation. They stop eating and look for a place underground to stay until the weather warms back up. Because snakes can’t regulate their body temperature, they need somewhere warm to live. While they usually brumate under rocks, in holes, and in caves, they may also use crawlspaces, garages, and basements to stay warm.

To discourage snakes from spending the winter around your home, there are some steps you can take. The first is to eliminate food sources. Snakes like to eat rodents. Keep your home sealed from rodents, and you have a win-win for discouraging snakes. It's also important to prevent snakes from seeing your home as a good habitat. Keep tall grasses trimmed, Keep wood piles off the ground, and seal any potential entry points to your home. 

Opossums In the Winter

Similar to raccoons, opossums need a cozy place to stay in the winter. Opossums like to spend their winters in dens that are dry and warm. They may den in trees or logs, they may also find a place to den in your crawlspace, attic, or chimney.

While opossums are attracted to your home for warmth and comfort, they may also be attracted to your home for food. They may get into your pet food, bird seed, or trash can. To discourage opossums from choosing your home to nest and feed, be sure to keep your home sealed and food put away.

No matter what wildlife problem you're facing, the team at Wildlife X can help! We offer widlife prevention and removal for your home, no matter the season. Give us a call today. 

Submit a Comment

* Required Field
Offering
  • Pest X Team Logo
  • Junk X Team Logo
  • X Team Services Logo
  • X Team Bird Control Logo
  • Gutter X Team Logo
  • Mosquito X Team Logo
As Featured on These Networks & Affiliates
  • Apple News Logo
  • Fox Logo
Affiliations:
  • Elite Service Logo
  • National Pest Management Association Logo
  • NWCOA Logo
  • If you have raccoons in your attic, garage, or other areas of your home, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today! Wildlife X Team are experts in raccoon removal and exclusion services.
  • Squirrel problems are rampant nationally. Squirrels can cause extensive damage in and around homes, including soiling floors and walls. Squirrels don't stand a chance against Wildlife X Team®'s trained professional staff.
  • Rodent problems are common for homeowners, but Wildlife X Team® can help you prevent rodents from getting in your walls or your attic. Keep rodents out of your home by calling today!
  • Removing and relocating bats is best left to professionals, as bats will bite and scratch if threatened. If you see signs of bats on your property or want to know how to get rid of bats from your attic and chimney, please call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007.
  • Although armadillos have no reason to get into houses, there is a lot of damage armadillos can cause. Their diet consists mostly of grubs and insects, but when they burrow, it can affect the very structure of buildings. Call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Whether you are facing a snake infestation on your property or just notice a single snake, call (817) 431-3007 at Wildlife X Team® today. Most snakes are harmless, some are venomous, and we can remove all kinds of snakes safely and quickly.
  • Birds can add a lot of enjoyment to the outdoor experience, but sometimes they cause trouble. If you're having an issue with problem birds like pigeons, starlings, or sparrows, give Wildlife X Team® a call at (817) 431-3007.
  • At Wildlife X Team®, we offer worry-free opossum removal and trapping. We can also repair any opossum damage.
  • Infamous for their defense mechanism, skunks are smelly creatures. This unique critter releases a scent to ward off predators and stay safe, and it smells offensive and can be dangerous.
  • Coyotes, a relative of the canine, are known for terrorizing livestock, and even household pets. Coyotes are often active at night, and homeowners often report the howling cries of these medium-sized creatures.
  • Badgers are notorious for having a bite that rivals their bark — despite their less-than-formidable size! Badgers have been known to fight animals as large as a bear!
  • Beaver damage is primarily to landscapes like riverbeds and lakesides. If you discover beaver damage in your property, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 to help relocate beavers and repair any damages caused by these flat-tailed critters.
  • Nocturnal creatures, bobcats will take down any prey necessary, especially livestock. Bobcats are territorial and will often return to the property they have claimed as their own, especially if there is a steady food source.
  • Chipmunks can be annoying and clever creatures, but they're no match for Wildlife X Team®. We offer chipmunk removal, and chipmunk damage repair services, plus we know how to keep chipmunks from coming back!
  • Fox landscape damage and feeding behaviors can affect homeowners' safety, so it's important to not approach a fox if you see one in the wild or on your property. Wildlife X Team® offers fox removal, fox trapping, and fox prevention. Call today!
  • Lizards, similar in appearance to snakes, can be frightening if you spot one in the wild or in your home, and although they don't typically attack residents, it's still good to not approach lizards.
  • Mole damage is most commonly found on landscapes, and sometimes humans don't even come into contact with them, but they definitely experience mole damage.
  • If you have discovered scorpion(s) in your garden or on your property, call us today for scorpion removal services.
  • Voles are not often spotted by humans, but vole damage is visible. For vole trapping, vole removal, and vole damage repair services, call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Infestations of bugs are common, so if you are facing an insect infestation, don't panic—we can help kill insects and get rid of them inside and outside your home.
  • Wild hog trapping and wild hog prevention are the most effective means of wild hog removal. Due to the aggressive nature of wild hogs, we do not recommend DIY wild hog trapping.
  • Termite infestations are common inside homes and on properties, so if you are dealing with insects, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today to get rid of your termite problem fast and effectively!
  • Bee and wasp infestations are common, so if you are facing a stinging insect infestation, don't panic — we can help get rid of them inside and outside your home.
About
Wildlife X Team is rapidly becoming the leader in the nuisance wildlife control industry. We lead the way in the development of technology, education, products and services in Wildlife Management.
Read More About Us
100% Financing
SuperMoney offers 100% financing up to $100,000 and 30 second approvals. You'll fill out one easy form and get competing pre-approved loan offers back in real time.
Apply Now
Wildlife X Team offers an exclusive Wildlife Inspection Report® which includes commonly overlooked areas where wildlife can enter and infest your home.
Project: Control or Eliminate Rodents
Sean was great to work with. Sean came over on a Friday night at 9:30 and took care of a small issue I had. Very professional company and compared to other companies I checked with, very reasonable. The service was completed very quickly and efficiently. I would highly recommend.
Robb O., Haltom Cuty, TX