Cold weather sends animals looking for shelter. Your warm attic, crawl space and garage look like paradise.

Who moves in

Mice and rats come in first, followed by squirrels and raccoons. Opossums and skunks den under decks and porches, and bats may roost in attics.

Where they get in

They use gaps around pipes, vents, garage doors and roof edges. A hole as small as a quarter can be enough for a rat.

How to stop it

Seal gaps, cap the chimney, trim trees back from the roof and keep trash and pet food secure. A fall inspection finds the weak spots before the cold arrives.