• Raccoons (Procyon lotor)
  Masked “bandit” face; clever climbers that den in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces.

• Opossums (Didelphis virginiana)
  Marsupials that scavenge trash cans and can carry ticks and fleas.

• Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)
  Nest in attics and wall voids, chewing wiring and insulation.

• Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis)
  Nocturnal foragers whose defensive spray can permeate a home.

• Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats (Tadarida brasiliensis)
  Roost in attics and eaves; their guano can harbor histoplasmosis spores.

• Nine-Banded Armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus)
  Dig burrows under porches and foundations, undermining structures.

Wildlife Behavior & Habitat

• Nocturnal Activity: Most nuisance species are active at night, entering homes undetected.

• Denning & Nesting: Preferred sites include attics, crawlspaces, chimneys, wall voids and under decks.

• Seasonal Breeding: Spring/summer brings juveniles dispersing to find new den sites and infestations often spike then.

How Wildlife Impacts Your Home & Health

• Structural Damage: Tearing insulation, chewing wiring, digging under foundations or decks.

• Noise & Odors: Scratching, thumping and strong ammonia-like odors from droppings.

• Health Risks: Exposure to parasites (fleas, ticks), bacteria (Salmonella), and respiratory hazards from guano.

Warning Signs of Wildlife Intrusion

• Noises in Walls/Attic: Scratching, scampering or thumping, often at dawn or dusk.

• Droppings & Tracks: Small pellets near entry points or muddy footprints in basements and crawlspaces.

• Entry Holes: Gaps under eaves, broken vents, gaps in soffits or foundation cracks.

• Damage to Screens & Soffits: Chewed or torn materials where animals gain access.

Prevention Tips

• Seal All Gaps: Caulk or screen vents, repair soffits and foundation cracks, install chimney caps.

• Trim Vegetation: Keep tree limbs and shrubbery at least 3 ft from siding to block roof access.

• Secure Trash: Use wildlife-proof bins and remove pet food or bird seed after dusk.

• Declutter Yards: Eliminate wood, rock or brush piles that offer daytime shelter.

Removal & Control Options

• Live Trapping & Release: Humane cage traps followed by relocation per state regulations.

• One-Way Exclusion Devices: Fitted over entry holes to let animals exit but not return.

• Habitat Modification: Yard cleanup, debris removal and site grading to eliminate harborage.

• Exclusion Repairs: Professional sealing, screening and structural repairs to block re-entry.