Shut That Door — Before a Wild Guest Walks In (Yes, It Happens)
In case you missed it:
Earlier this year, a raccoon broke into a liquor store in Virginia, crashed through the ceiling, knocked over bottles, helped himself to some of the goods — and passed out cold on the bathroom floor.
True story. Look it up. (No word on whether he prefers whiskey or vodka.)
The point is: it only took one open ceiling tile for that little guy to throw a party.
So when we say that a cracked door or loose basement hatch is an invitation, we’re not joking.
When It’s Cold Out, Everything with Fur Gets Bold
Here in Andover and North Andover, winter means the usual suspects — snow, salt, space heaters — and a sudden spike in wild animals looking for shelter.
Not just raccoons, either.
We’ve seen:
Squirrels making nests behind water heaters
Skunks waddling into garages through doors left open 10 minutes too long
Opossums taking up residence in basement corners
Most aren’t dangerous — just cold, hungry, and persistent. And they’ll happily turn your mudroom into a mini Airbnb if given the chance.
You Probably Won’t Notice Until It’s… Obvious
That’s what we hear all the time.
"No sounds, no smells — until there were."
Here are a few uh-oh moments we’ve seen:
Garbage bins mysteriously knocked over inside garages
Paw prints on kitchen floors near cracked screen doors
Entire laundry rooms turned into cozy hideouts
How to Keep the Wild Outside
Shut doors tight — garages, basements, porches. Even for short errands.
Check pet doors and screens — especially if they’re loose or broken.
Secure food and trash bins — even in the garage or on enclosed patios.
Schedule a winter home protection check if it’s been a while.
These small steps go a long way toward keeping your home clean, peaceful, and wildlife-free.
Who You Gonna Call?
We’re not animal control, but we are your friendly neighborhood pest experts.
At Andover Pest Control, our team is professionally trained, fast to respond, and not above making raccoon jokes when the job calls for it.
Our goal? Not just to remove the problem, but to help you prevent it.
📞 Call Andover Pest Control ASAP
Let’s keep the raccoons in the woods — and your home warm, clean, and critter-free this winter.