Why Wildlife in Structures Is a Serious Problem
Wildlife entering homes and attics is not simply a nuisance to be managed at your convenience. Animals living inside your structure cause damage in multiple ways simultaneously. They chew through electrical wiring, creating fire hazards. They damage insulation, destroying its thermal effectiveness and requiring costly replacement. They contaminate attic spaces and wall voids with urine and feces that harbor dangerous pathogens including histoplasma fungus from bat and bird droppings, leptospirosis bacteria from rodent urine, and raccoon roundworm from raccoon feces, each of which poses real health risks to human occupants.
Beyond physical damage and disease risk, wildlife attract secondary infestations of parasites including fleas, ticks, mites, and flies that are brought into the structure on the animals' bodies and left behind in nesting materials even after the animal has been removed. Professional wildlife removal addresses not only the animal itself but the complete remediation of contaminated materials and treatment for secondary pest infestations.
Wildlife Species We Manage
- Raccoons: Highly intelligent and capable of manually opening vents, roof junctions, and weakened fascia boards to access attics for denning. Females with young present are particularly persistent. Removal requires live trapping combined with exclusion of the entry points after confirmed departure of all animals.
- Squirrels: Enter attics primarily through damaged roof vents, junction points between rooflines, and holes in fascia and soffits. Squirrels are most problematic in winter when they seek warm denning sites and in spring when females seek indoor nesting locations to raise young. Continuous gnawing on structural wood and wiring is their most dangerous habit.
- Bats: A single bat colony can contain hundreds of individuals roosting in attic spaces, wall voids, and behind siding. Bat removal is subject to strict federal and state regulations protecting these ecologically valuable animals. We perform exclusion work during legally permitted seasons and seal all entry points to prevent return after the colony naturally departs.
- Birds (pigeons, starlings, sparrows): Nest in HVAC equipment, attic vents, and under solar panels, causing damage, blocking airflow, and creating fire hazards. Accumulated droppings harbor fungal pathogens and corrode metal surfaces. Removal involves exclusion netting, physical deterrents, and strategic modifications.
- Skunks and opossums: Typically denning beneath decks, in crawl spaces, or under exterior structures. Direct removal requires careful technique to prevent defensive spraying. Exclusion barriers are installed following removal to prevent re-entry.
Our Humane Wildlife Management Process
Property Inspection and Entry Point Assessment
We conduct a thorough examination of your home's exterior and interior to identify all entry points, assess the species and population involved, check for the presence of young animals that affect removal timing, and document all areas of damage and contamination requiring attention.
Humane Removal
We use species-appropriate humane live traps or one-way exclusion devices that allow animals to exit the structure naturally but prevent re-entry. Animals are handled in compliance with all state and local wildlife regulations regarding relocation or release requirements.
Contamination Cleanup and Decontamination
After removal, we remove all soiled insulation, nesting materials, and feces from the affected areas and apply antimicrobial treatments to eliminate pathogens. Contaminated insulation is replaced to restore proper thermal performance and eliminate any residual odors that attract other wildlife.
Permanent Exclusion and Prevention
Every entry point identified during inspection is sealed using animal-grade materials that cannot be chewed, pushed, or pulled away. We use galvanized hardware cloth, metal flashing, and professional sealants to create permanent barriers and install chimney caps, vent covers, and other protective hardware to prevent future intrusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that choosing a pest control service involves important decisions. Below are thorough answers to the questions our clients ask most frequently about wildlife removal.