How to Keep Critters Out From Under Your Mobile Home
Most mobile home owners have dealt with animal pests. A home that is situated above the ground offers an irresistible hiding place for dogs, cats, raccoons, mice and insects. These in turn can cause damage to electrical wiring, duct work and insulation. Then there is the problem of animals becoming trapped and dying, causing odor problems and possible health hazards. Steps to prevent these "home invasions" are simple and inexpensive. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Check the skirting around your home, and make any repairs that are needed immediately. Chicken wire can be used to fill any gaps or holes that animals might squeeze into. The Mobile SPCA website suggests partially burying rocks around the perimeter of an area a dog is prone to dig.
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Keep all food sources (such as trash cans) covered and away from the house. Feed pets inside or in areas far away from the underside of the mobile home. Make sure any leaking pipes are quickly repaired so that animals are not attracted to a water source.
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Spread moth balls underneath your mobile home to deter mice and other small rodents. They don't like the smell and will avoid the area.
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Purchase a commercial animal repellent based on the types of animals you are dealing with. Spray around the outside of your home. You can also make your own homemade repellent with items found around the home. The Repel All website has a thorough list of various homemade repellents and their ingredients.
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Sprinkle boric acid up under the mobile home skirting on the inside perimeter, away from where pets and children can access. This will help keep out roaches and ants. It is also helpful to pour boric acid inside the home along walls and up in cabinets, again away from humans and animals.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using the underside of your mobile home to store items. This will only make it more accessible to animals and give them more places to hide.
Mobile Home Repair website warns not to use other kinds of poison, as the animals will just die under your home and cause odor problems.
Moth balls can be toxic to humans, so always wear gloves when handling them and wear a mask when you are in an area where they have been spread.
If your pest problem becomes an uncontrollable issue, you might want to call a professional to handle the situation.
Boric acid can be dangerous to people and animals, so only use it in areas that children and pets cannot access.
References
Resources
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