Wildlife Tips
Know the Signs. Protect Your Home. Stay Safe.
Wildlife problems rarely appear out of nowhere. Most of the time there are early warning signs that homeowners miss until the damage is already done. These practical tips from our certified wildlife biologists will help you identify problems early, protect your home year-round, and know exactly what to do when wildlife shows up uninvited.
Early Warning Signs of Wildlife Activity
How to Tell if Wildlife Has Entered Your Home
Unusual Noises
Scratching, thumping, or scurrying sounds coming from your attic, walls, or crawl space — especially at night — are one of the earliest and most common signs of wildlife activity inside your home.
Droppings or Urine Stains
Dark stains or droppings near vents, entry points, or along your roofline indicate an animal is regularly passing through or living inside your home.
Chewed Wires or Insulation
Gnawed electrical wires, torn insulation, or chewed wood inside your attic or basement are clear signs of a rodent or squirrel problem that needs immediate attention.
Strange or Strong Odors
An unexplained foul smell coming from your walls, attic, or crawl space often means an animal is living — or has died — somewhere inside your home.
Damaged Vents or Soffits
Torn, bent, or broken roof vents, soffits, or fascia boards are signs that an animal has forced its way into your home and may already be nesting inside.
Nesting Materials
Finding leaves, twigs, shredded insulation, or clumps of fur in unexpected places around your home is a strong sign that wildlife has chosen your property as their nesting ground.
Footprints or Tracks
Animal tracks in mud, dust, or snow around the exterior of your home can help identify the species and confirm that wildlife is actively moving around or entering your property.
Visible Entry Holes
Gaps, holes, or openings along your roofline, foundation, or around utility pipes are entry points wildlife use to get inside. If you spot one, an animal has likely already found it too.
Seasonal Wildlife Tips
What to Watch for Every Season
Spring
Spring is the most active season for wildlife. Animals are coming out of winter, searching for food, and looking for safe places to give birth. Raccoons, squirrels, and birds are especially active during this time and commonly enter attics and crawl spaces to nest. Inspect your roofline, vents, and soffits every spring before the season begins.
Summer
Summer brings snakes, lizards, and groundhogs into yards and gardens. Bats are also highly active in the evening hours during summer months. Keep your grass trimmed short, seal gaps around your foundation, and avoid leaving pet food or standing water outdoors — both attract nuisance wildlife.
Fall
As temperatures drop, animals like squirrels, rats, mice, and raccoons begin searching for warm shelter — and your attic is the perfect candidate. Fall is the most critical time to inspect and seal your home before wildlife move in for the winter. Check your chimney cap, roof vents, and any gaps around utility entry points.
Winter
Winter does not mean wildlife problems go away. Rats, mice, and squirrels remain active all year and will happily spend the cold months living inside your walls. If you hear noises in your home during winter, do not assume it is just the house settling — it is likely an animal that found its way inside during fall.
Home Protection Tips
Heading: How to Keep Wildlife Out of Your Home
Seal Every Entry Point
Inspect your roofline, vents, soffits, fascia boards, chimney, and foundation at least twice a year. Seal any gaps or holes immediately using hardware cloth, metal flashing, or professional-grade sealant. Remember — a mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime.
Secure Your Garbage
Raccoons, opossums, and skunks are highly attracted to unsecured trash. Use heavy-duty bins with locking lids and store them in a garage or shed overnight whenever possible.
Remove Outdoor Food Sources
Bird feeders, pet food bowls, fallen fruit, and compost piles are open invitations for wildlife. Remove or secure these food sources, especially in the evening when most nuisance animals are most active.
Trim Trees and Shrubs
Overhanging tree branches give raccoons, squirrels, and rats easy roof access. Keep branches trimmed at least six feet away from your roofline to remove this entry pathway.
Cap Your Chimney
An uncapped chimney is one of the most common entry points for raccoons and birds. Install a quality chimney cap and inspect it annually to ensure it is secure and undamaged.
Maintain Your Crawl Space
A damaged or unsecured crawl space vent is an easy entry point for skunks, opossums, and groundhogs. Inspect your vents regularly and replace any that are torn, rusted, or missing.
Install Motion-Activated Lighting
Many nuisance animals are nocturnal and prefer dark, undisturbed areas. Motion-activated lights around your yard, garage, and entry points can discourage wildlife from approaching your home at night.
Keep Your Yard Clean
Piles of wood, debris, tall grass, and overgrown bushes create ideal hiding and nesting spots for snakes, rodents, and groundhogs. Keep your yard clean and well maintained year-round.
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