Insurance corner - Animal proofing your home
By Martha Marton

As more and more homes are built and people live in areas previously occupied only by animals of the 4 footed variety, it is inevitable that some of these animals will try to make our homes their own. Animals can be removed humanly by a reputable animal removal service, but the best way to avoid a problem is to prevent it in the first place.

Some of the steps you can take to keep animals from making nests in your home: -Make sure all flashing, shingles, eaves and gutters are in good repair and have no gaps -Have your chimney capped -Check around windows, light fixtures, and ornaments and seal any openings. -Enclose decks and open stairwells. -Keep garage door closed. -Avoid feeding your animals outside. -Keep garbage can tightly closed and debris picked up from the yard -Keep woodpile well away from the home - Check sheds, aboveground pools and other structures for potential entry points.

For more detailed information on animal proofing your home, visit http://www.toronto.ca/anima lservices/index.htm, an excellent site with more ideas on animal proofing your home and how to use deterrents to encourage those already visiting to make other arrangements.

I personally had success encouraging a family of birds to leave my microwave duct by banging on the vest with a spoon. They took the hint and I was able to screen the vent to avoid the problem in the future.

Sensor lights, aluminum pans strung on strings, wind chimes, radio tuned to a talk show, motion activated sprinklers, sprinkling cat urine in litter, playing a recorded message, even a scarecrow are some possible deterrents. Check the website for detailed information about your specific issue.

For more information on how to protect your home or business, contact Martha Marton at Tupling Insurance Brokers Limited. Direct Line 705.458.4061 marthamarton@tuplinginsurance. com

Tupling Insurance Brokers, 1070 Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil, ON L9S 4T9 705.431.5585