Basements have ideal conditions for pests and wildlife. Basements offer shelter from predators and harsh weather. The damp environment creates the perfect breeding ground for many pests, including cockroaches, silverfish, and certain types of ants.

Living in your basement also provides pests easy access to food and water. Pet food, crumbs on the counter, open packages within your pantry, and leaky pipes become an easy and regular source of sustenance for these basement pests.

Common Basement Bugs

There are more than 100 kinds of bugs living in the average home. The vast majority of them are tiny and harmless. Occasionally, our homes become infested with basement bugs such as crickets, cockroaches, spiders, earwigs, centipedes, and millipedes that are harmful to health and homes and require removal.

Some bug infestations are easier to detect than others. Here are some signs to look out for:

While these small critters seem harmless enough, basement pests can do structural damage to your home. There are also health risks from food contamination, bites, and feces that transmit disease, cause skin irritations, and degrade air quality, which, in turn, causes allergic reactions and asthma.

Common Nuisance Wildlife in Basement

Bugs are not the only pests that find basements an attractive place. Critters, like those you might find outdoors, such as gophers in the garden, also appreciate the shelter, food, safety, and water accessible to them in basements. Rats, mice, raccoons, opossums, and skunks are common, but you can even find burrowing animals, such as moles, in a basement.

Rats and Mice in the Basement

Mouse droppings in baseent

Small rodents such as rats and mice in the basement are common, especially as the season changes to colder weather. Unfortunately, these rodents reproduce quickly, so one or two can quickly turn into a destructive and unhealthy infestation.

Raccoons in the Basement

Unlike small rodents that can squeeze through tiny gaps, a raccoon will identify a vulnerability and rip a hole to get in, as they are quite agile and strong. And, unlike rodents that will find all their needs fulfilled within your home, a raccoon in the basement will venture outdoors to bring food indoors to her kits.

Opossums in the Basement

Opossums are nocturnal creatures that often seek shelter in basements and crawl spaces. They will build nests in quiet, undisturbed areas like basements to raise their young. The dark, secluded nature of a basement makes it an ideal denning location.

Skunks in the Basement

Example of a Skunk Entry Point

Skunks often seek out dark, secluded spaces to establish their dens, and a basement can provide an ideal environment. The basement may offer protection, warmth, and a quiet place for a skunk to raise its young. Skunks are adept at finding and exploiting small openings and cracks in a home’s foundation, walls, or crawl spaces. They may squeeze through gaps around pipes, vents, or loose boards to gain access to the basement.

Skunks are naturally curious animals and may simply stumble upon an opening leading to a basement while exploring their surroundings. It is not uncommon for a skunk to fall into a window well and either get stuck or get inside your basement or crawlspace.

While mostly non-aggressive and shy, you do not want to approach a skunk, as they will spray when they feel threatened. And, even if a skunk in your basement doesn’t spray, they naturally have a musky scent that will create an unpleasant odor.

Snakes in the Basement

Basements and crawl spaces are moist, quiet, and damp, which makes them very attractive nesting sites for snakes. Snakes are particularly drawn to basements and crawlspaces because rodents are often in basements too.

Dead Animal in Basement

If you smell a putrid odor, an animal might have died in your basement. Typically an animal does not die in plain sight; they usually go somewhere to hide. The multitude of hiding spots in a basement can make it difficult to find the carcass. Also, if you have attempted DIY wildlife removal or rodent trapping but have not checked the traps, you might have caused this problem. Do not approach! A dead animal can spread diseases. call a professional to remove it and provide professional clean up and sanitization.

How to Identify Pests in Basements

It can be tricky to identify what is in your basement, short of seeing the critter. Rats and mice look alike in many ways. Raccoons, opossums, and skunks are more easily identified. Each of these animals leaves clues and signs from which they can be identified.

Basement pests can often be identified by their feces, the type of damage they create, and the sounds you hear. If you have mice or rats, you will see their feces and urine on kitchen countertops and in your pantry. A skunk will be much quieter in your basement than an active raccoon or a clumsy opossum.

Raccoons are quite vocal. They make sounds that range from chirps and whistles to growls and screeches. Skunks will make purring and chirping noises when content. Growling and hissing are their defensive sounds when threatened. Opossums are also most vocal when threatened and can let out a very loud and high-pitched shriek when confronted. One of their most common vocalizations is hissing.

Signs of pests in your basement include:

  • Feces and urine
  • Gnawed wood, wiring, and drywall
  • A mess made by tearing apart insulation, fabric, and cardboard for nesting materials
  • Animal tracks near entrances

Problems Caused by Basement Pests

Rats, mice, raccoons, skunks, and opossums all cause damage and pose health risks that make it imperative to call wildlife control as soon as you’re aware of the problem.

Basement pests can carry and transmit diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonella, and rabies, as well as parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, which can create a secondary infestation. Raccoons, skunks, and opossums can also cause injury to people and pets if confronted.

Stored clothing, books, and furniture are in danger of destruction by nuisance animals and basement bugs. Mice, rats, and raccoons will also create a fire hazard because they like to gnaw on electrical wires.

Preventing Pests & Maintaining a Pest Free Basement

No house is impenetrable to outdoor wildlife and insects. As natural habitats are diminished or altered by urbanization or agriculture, wildlife turns to the homes, commercial buildings, and retail establishments of humans to seek the necessities they need to survive.

armadillo damage
Foundation Vent Damage

To keep pests and wildlife infestations out of your basement, follow our tips:

  • Seal all entry points like cracks and gaps in your home.
  • Keep clutter to a minimum and clean the basement regularly.
  • Store important items in tightly sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard.
  • Eliminate outdoor food sources that attract them to your property. Seal trash cans, bring pet food and water indoors, and eliminate bird feeders.
  • Cut back trees and branches that are close to your home to eliminate cover for them.
  • Use Dehumidifiers: Keeping humidity levels in check will discourage pests who like damp areas, like termites and silverfish.
  • Maintain proper ventilation and humidity control to discourage pests like cockroaches, termites, and rodents that thrive in moist conditions.

When Should Homeowners Call Professional Pest Control Services

Homeowners should consider calling a pest control company at the first sign of pest infestations or nuisance wildlife problems. Something is attracting these pests into your basement, and it will continue to be a problem until you solve it. Nuisance wildlife (and certain bugs like termites) damage your home. The longer it is ignored, the more damage is done.

There are plenty of hiding places in a basement so pests and animals can usually avoid detection. A professional will identify all entry points, all damage, and other areas in need of cleanup.

In the Northeast, we find a variety of different animals frequenting homes. From tiny house mice to coyotes, wildlife utilizes homes for a variety of reasons including shelter and food. The most common species we find as unwanted roommates are mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, birds, bats, and snakes.

Most critters want to stay away from any human activity.  They will utilize areas like attic spaces, wall voids, subfloors, and basements/crawl spaces to seek shelter and escape the elements. On occasion, a critter may find its way inside the living area but will probably spend its time trying to escape.

When Critters are Active in the Northeast United States

Raccoons, skunks, and opossums are all nocturnal.  You will rarely encounter these animals but that doesn’t mean they aren’t living around your property!  They tend to sleep during the day and are most active in the middle of the night.  Squirrels on the other hand are diurnal, or active during the day.  They are very quick and excellent climbers and therefore do not need to hide from predators by feeding in the dark.

Most critters want to stay away from any human activity.  They will utilize areas like attic spaces, wall voids, subfloors, and basements/crawl spaces to seek shelter and escape the elements. On occasion, a critter may find its way inside the living area but will probably spend it’s time trying to escape.

Skunks in the Yard

Skunks are impressive diggers commonly found denning under porches, decks, garages, and even the foundation of the home. The best solution to get rid of them is to perform preventative exclusion. We recommend installing underground fencing around the permitter of these structures. A licensed nuisance wildlife control operator should remove the current inhabitants before any exclusion so as not to enclose any wildlife under the structure. Can you imagine an angry, stuck skunk under your porch?

Skunks can spray up to 10 feet with an accuracy of a couple of inches, and the smell can be detected for over a mile!  They are also immune to snake venoms and are known to sometimes kill and eat venomous snakes.

Raccoon Pests

Raccoons have very high IQ levels and have been known to learn behaviors from humans as well as demonstrate critical thinking skills like opening traps or doors.  Raccoons are extremely skillful and resourceful, can adapt to live almost anywhere and absolutely thrive in urban environments.   

It’s no secret that raccoons, aka “trash pandas” love garbage! The best solution is to use garbage cans with secure lids and keep any dumpsters closed and locked. A motion sensor spotlight can sometimes help deter them during the night.

Raccoons are adept climbers capable of scaling most homes and businesses. Raccoons have dexterous hands and powerful jaws. Once on the roof, they often break into and enter attics. From there, they often have free roam of the ceiling and wall voids.

Bats in the Attic

Bats can be hazardous animals to have in your attic, for multiple reasons.  Bats often carry rabies and if scratched or bitten by a bat, you will need a rabies vaccine as soon as possible.  Their bat guano is also hazardous and can cause respiratory problems including histoplasmosis or scarring of the lungs.  If bats are discovered in your attic, it is best to stay out of the attic, make sure the attic door is shut tight, and call professionals.  Bats are very beneficial to the environment and need to be treated with care, while also protecting those who live in the home.

Snakes in the House

To many homeowners, there’s not much scarier than the idea of a snake getting into their house. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to be done to help prevent them in the first place.

When Should Homeowners Call Critter Control

Homeowners should call Critter Control at the first sign of a critter problem. People usually notice strange sounds, bad smells, droppings, or physical damage. The longer an animal infestation is ignored, the more entrenched these critters can get. The longer pests are in the house, the more damage they cause.

Rory Smart currently leads the Northeast region which includes Virginia, Maryland, DC, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, and New Jersey. He has experience as a wildlife control specialist helping homeowners with nuisance wildlife problems, division recruiter, and region service manager.

Carving pumpkins is one of the most popular activities in October. But jack o’lanterns aren’t just a symbol for Halloween, they also are critter magnets. We asked Meg Pearson, wildlife training manager, for her insights on what pests are attracted to pumpkins and tips on how to stop squirrels and critters from eating your pumpkin.

Why are pests attracted to jack o’lanterns?

Though your annual jack o’lantern is a fun, temporary piece of autumnal decor, it can essentially act as a free meal, served on a platter for the local critter community, most of which is constantly on the prowl for their next meals. The fact that the pumpkin is carved up only makes it easier for local wildlife to access its tasty insides, which many animals will happily chow down on, regardless of whether it’s fresh or rotting.

What serves as a festive decoration for us, is seen as an outdoor buffet to the local wildlife population.

Which pests are attracted to jack o’lanterns?

Many smaller animals, like mice, rats, and squirrels, will be interested in eating your jack-o-lantern, but it may also attract larger animals, including raccoons, opossums, deer, and more.

What are the best ways to deter them from gnawing on them?

The best way to keep local animals from approaching your home and eating your jack o’lantern is to keep proper care of your lawn: keep it mowed and be sure to regularly rake your leaves, as many smaller animals thrive in areas with unkempt lawns.

You may also want to keep your jack o’lantern on some sort of elevated surface that may be difficult for a mouse, rat, or squirrel to access, possibly deterring them from trying after a few attempts.

You must keep animals from approaching your house, in search of food, because after they finish scarfing down your jack o’lantern, they may decide to see if they can enter your house in search of even more food, and then you’ll have a much more serious critter problem on your hands. Be sure to seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation this fall, as many animals will be looking for a warm place to live through the winter, especially if it serves as a consistent food source.

Other seasonally appropriate preventative measures to stop critters from entering your home?

One of the best things you can do to keep nuisance wildlife away from your home and yard is to keep a clean, sealed space. For your yard, this means raking leaves and trimming branches and bushes. This prevents the animals from burrowing and climbing. You’ll also want to seal up any gaps in or around your home such as areas under decks, any sort of visible gaps in the foundation or outside of your home. Critters seek shelter and warmth, and openings in your house provide that for them. Finally, keeping trash tightly sealed and bringing in pets’ water and food dishes will deter critters from your property. 

Meg Pearson, Training ManagerMeg Pearson, Wildlife Training Manager

As the season changes from summer to fall, the behavior of wildlife adapts. There are only a few nuisance animals that are true hibernators. So most of the animals that cause a problem can continue to be a pest through winter.

  1. Raccoons: these animals stand around a foot tall and normally weigh between 10-50 pounds. They have a visible black mask on their face and their bushy tail is covered in alternating black and gray rings.
  2. Squirrels: These rodents may be anywhere from 12 to 25 inches long. They are small but muscular with sharp claws. Their coloration varies; they can be seen in shades of black, gray, red, and brown. Squirrel fur is short, thick, and bushiest along the tail. Oftentimes, their underbellies will differ in color from the coats on their backs.
  3. Opossums: These mammals are about the size of a cat. They have a pointed face with a narrow snout, small eyes, and a long, hairless, prehensile tail that acts as a fifth limb, allowing them to climb well. Opossums are covered in grayish-white fur and have more teeth than any other mammal in the United States.
  4.  Rats: The most common rats in the United States are Norway rats (also known as the “brown rat,” “house rat,” “sewer rat” and “wharf rat”). They have bald ears, black eyes, a blunt nose, a brown or gray body, and a tail smaller than the body. Norway rats are about 16 inches in length, including their tails.
  5. Mice: The house mouse is the most common type of mouse in populated areas. They are small, slender rodents with large ears, sensitive noses and small eyes. Their fur is typically dusty brown or dull gray on top, with lighter shades along the chin and stomach. Rodents have hairless tails that are long and scaly, and their feet are well-equipped for grasping, burrowing, and climbing.

Squirrels on the Roof and in the Attic

Squirrels are one of the most active nuisance animals during the fall. Squirrels can have two litters during the year– one in the spring and the other in the fall. Female squirrels are looking for safe places to create a nest to give birth and safely raise their young. Attics, roofs, and walls are perfect places for squirrel nests.

Squirrels typically enter homes through the roof making their way into the attic. When inside homes, squirrels will eat most foodstuffs they can gain access to, including garbage and various food scraps.

Squirrels use their muscular builds and sharp claws and teeth to cause a lot of damage to the interior and exterior of a house. They often use their powerful teeth to gnaw on wooden support beams, fascia, soffits, eaves, gable end vents, and other areas located around and above the roofline. This behavior can go from costly to dangerous when they gnaw on electrical wires, which could potentially lead to a house fire.

Nuisance Raccoons in the Fall

Raccoons may look a bit small but they are exceptionally strong and can exploit exterior weaknesses in homes, to gain access inside. Most commonly, they will attempt to enter through the roof by using their strength to rip up shingles to enter the attic, but they have also been known to come in by tearing through soffits, vents, and more. Once inside, raccoons most commonly nest in attics, chimneys, walls, basements and crawl spaces. Be careful opening your outdoor trash containers; raccoons can be found inside them, feasting on trash and food scraps.

Raccoons are very strong and intelligent, equipped with thumb-like digits on their paws, allowing them to create more damage than a homeowner might expect. They can rip up a wide variety of materials inside and outside your home. As autumn comes around and the weather cools, raccoons sense the temperature change and seek out a warm, safe place to nest. If they identify your home as an optimal place to spend the winter, they may attempt to enter it through various areas until they find one that works out for them; they possess the strength, intelligence, and tenacity to keep trying until they succeed.

Rat Infestations during Autumn

Rats can be found in many places throughout the home, including the basement, the attic, the ceiling, crawl spaces, walls, and more. A rat’s particular taste can depend on the food that is easily accessible in its natural ecosystem, but inside the home, they tend to gravitate toward cereals, grains, pet food, crumbs of all kinds, and much more.

Rats have strong teeth and jaws, allowing them to chew through many things inside a house, including wood, vinyl, thin metals, wood, plastic, and more. They are also known to chew through cables and wires, potentially starting detrimental electrical fires in a home.

Mice Problems in the House

Mice traveling around your home and food supply can cause the spread of unpleasant diseases. They are known to urinate and defecate in all areas of the home they frequent. As with other mammals in the home, mice commonly chew on just about anything they can access, including wires and cables.

With mice being so small, the opportunities are almost endless as to where a mouse can enter. Mice may try to enter your home through screen doors that don’t properly latch or have tears in their mesh, openings along the roof line and crawl spaces. Once inside, they are known to live in various areas of the house, including attics,  inside walls, kitchens, and crawl spaces. Mice feed at least 20 times each day and will sample just about any available food they can find, so be on the lookout for food that has been nibbled at and discarded in your kitchen or pantry.

Opossums in the Yard and the Attic

Opossums can be found in quite a few places in and around the home. Inside the house, you can often find them living in your attic. Outside the house, you can find them on your roof, under your deck, in a shed or even under your house. These omnivores are opportunistic scavengers; they will feast on a wide variety of foods. Their natural diets include insects, ticks, small rodents, frogs, birds, frogs, birds and berries. When on your property, they tend to eat vegetables, fruits, garbage, bird seed, pet food, meat and more; as the weather cools, they tend to prefer meat-based meals, over bugs and vegetables.

To avoid confrontation, they will play dead so predators leave them alone. Opossums are opportunistic and don’t typically cause physical damage to enter a home but they will use an opening to gain entrance if they find one. When inside or around a home, they can spread diseases like tuberculosis, spotted fever and more, in addition to carrying ticks and other parasites.

How to Prevent Nuisance Wildlife in the Fall

These animals share common reasons for entering homes as autumn comes around and the weather gets cold. They come inside in hopes of accessing a warm and safe environment for them to live in or a safe play to raise their young.

The best way to keep animals from being attracted to your home is to keep the area surrounding your home as unattractive to them as possible.

Some things you can do to ensure that include:

Raking leaves & mowing the lawn: small animals thrive in unkempt yards and lawns; if they get comfortable spending time in and around your yard, they may get more and more tempted to approach the house and try to find a way inside. In autumn, homeowners should be sure to regularly rake the leaves off their lawn and consistently mow their grass, so their yards do not get overgrown and covered with leaves, providing ample opportunity for animal encroachment. Additionally, it is recommended to keep wood/brush piles organized and off the ground if possible.

Keeping food away from your house: bird feeders that drop bird seed to the ground are known to attract various critters to your yard and home; you may want to consider getting rid of your bird feeders if you encounter animal issues in and around your home. Pet owners should be sure to keep all pet food inside, so as not to attract unwanted critters. Additionally, many animals are fine with eating garbage and food scraps, so outdoor trash cans and bins should be sealed and secured.


About the Author

Meg Pearson, Training ManagerMeg Pearson, Wildlife Training Manager
Meg has over 13 years of experience in the wildlife industry. She started as a wildlife technician and was a district manager and technical training manager supporting the Southeast Region.  She currently is one of the company’s wildlife training managers. As one of the training managers, her primary focus is special projects and leading Women in Wildlife.

South Texas has a unique habitat and climate for nuisance wildlife activity. With over ten years of experience across Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley, I have noticed the most common problems homeowners experience.

Top Ten Most Common Pests in South Texas

Wildlife Problems by Season in South Texas

South Texas is considered sub tropic climate so the winters are very mild. So not only do animals stay active all year long, but also some species migrate to the area during the winter!

Pest Problems All Year

Gophers, rats, and mice are active all year long.

Spring Nuisance Wildlife Problems

In the spring, raccoons and squirrels give birth. Raccoons tend to have three to five kits. Squirrels can have up to nine pups and can give birth in the fall. Earlier in spring, females from both species are looking for safe places to build a nest, give birth, and wean their young.

Snakes become more active in the spring as the temperatures rise.

Summer Pest Problems in South Texas

Squirrel and raccoon juveniles will be weaned before the summer is over and leave the attics when the temperatures start to soar. In May and June, homeowners are more likely to hear the whining and crying from these young critters.

Snakes, armadillos, and gophers are problems in people’s yards. Armadillos and gophers dig up lawns. Snake activity increases in temperature but will retreat to cooler areas like under porches and sheds during the hottest part of the day.

Stinging insects like bees and wasps are most active at the hottest parts of the day. They become dangerous when their nests are close to human activity.

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is a growing city on Corpus Christi Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico with a subtropical climate of very hot, humid summers and mild winters. With a population of a little over 300,000 that has grown by nearly 10 percent since 2000 and over five million in annual tourist visitors, Corpus Christi is bursting at the seams with activity and energy.

Wildlife adapts to this growth by finding the next best thing to their natural habitats: homes and office buildings that provide all the comfort and security they need to build their nests and raise their families.

Unfortunately, Corpus Christi wildlife carries fleas that make the city and state the typhus capital of the nation. Getting rid of nuisance animals in homes and offices is essential for maintaining public health and safety and preserving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley, or what we call “the Valley,” is filled with native and non-native wildlife. We border Mexico in the floodplain of the Rio Grande, which is covered in grasslands, wetlands, forests, and prairies. It is beautiful and makes the perfect habitat for numerous wildlife. There are 142 species of animals and over 540 species of birds living in Texas.

Nuisance wildlife in the Rio Grande Valley is an animal that causes damage to your property or acts as if they are going to damage it. They also may pose a threat to the public or cause such an annoyance that it is hard for you to enjoy your home or outdoor spaces. Examples of nuisance wildlife you will encounter on your property include raccoons, birds, rabbits, skunks, opossums, rodents, snakes, armadillos, bats, etc.

There are state and federal laws regarding the removal of nuisance wildlife. Some are protected and must be left alone, while others require depredation permits. Failing to abide by Texas laws can result in hefty penalties. Relocating nuisance wildlife has regulations due to the diseases many animals carry.

Weston Critter Control

About the Author Weston Pawelek 

Weston Pawelek has been providing wildlife removal and pest control in South Texas for over ten years.

Skunks are under sheds because they offer the ideal blend of safety, shelter, and accessibility. Skunks only need a small hole as little as three inches! Some accessibility is rarely an issue to get under a shed. Skunks seek shelter from harsh weather, predators, and to give birth. Skunks problems peak during breeding season and pre-hibernating foraging.

Having skunks under your shed can mean foul odors, holes in your lawn, and structural damage to buildings. Consider hiring a wildlife removal expert to help verify a skunk infestation at the first sign of skunk activity. Skunks require specific equipment and there are laws regarding their trap and release.

Wildlife experts also know how to get rid of skunks under sheds using safe removal methods and exclusions to prevent skunk activity under your shed in the future.

Identifying a Skunk Infestation

If you suspect a skunk is living under your shed, it’s important to ensure it is a skunk before attempting to remove it. Specific signs, like tracks, droppings, and odors, can help you confirm you have a skunk under the shed and the extent of the infestation.

Signs of Skunks Living Under Your Shed

Skunks make many vocalizations, including squealing, hissing, growling, grunting, and cooing. When angry or defensive, their sounds are aggressive, including foot stomping or loud pouncing. When a skunk is happy, you may hear high-pitched chirps to express excitement and purring to show contentment.

You may hear them scratching, digging, and shuffling under a shed. Skunks are known for protecting themselves with a spray that makes a sound when released.

Other signs of skunk activity include cone-shaped holes dug in the lawn, created by skunks looking for insects. Like raccoons, skunks looking for food tear open garbage bags and scatter trash.

Identifying Skunk Tracks and Droppings

Skunk tracks resemble a house cat’s prints, with five toes on their paws and long claws. The difference is that skunks will leave long claw marks in the dirt because their claws do not retract. Skunks also have heel pads that are about two inches long.

If you have a skunk under your shed, you will find tubular droppings that have rounded ends and are about one or two inches long. Typically, you can see undigested fruits, nuts, and other foods in their poop.

Recognizing Skunk Odor

Skunk spray, from a gland under the tail, has a very recognizable scent. The yellowish liquid they secrete contains sulfur and can smell like rotten eggs. Most skunks spray to mark their territories and protect themselves from potential predators. They may spray any parts of the structure if they live under your shed.

Safe Removal Methods

A wildlife expert should do skunk removal to avoid injury or spraying. Exclusions are the best way to keep a skunk from living under your shed.

Using Humane Traps to Catch Skunks

Homeowners may try to trap skunks themselves. However, they quickly learn you need the following to be successful:

Understanding local laws regarding trapping and releasing and when to take a skunk for disease testing is also necessary.

Creating Barriers to Prevent Skunks From Returning

If you do not create barriers, skunks will return to your home and property, especially if a good food source is nearby. Barriers include enclosing the open areas underneath the shed, home, and other buildings. It is also important to protect gardens with fencing and cover window wells with wire mesh, sheet metal, or other materials that skunks cannot chew or claw.

Hiring Professional Wildlife Services

Wildlife removal companies offer certified and trained experts who know how to get rid of skunks under your shed. They have multiple types of equipment for safe and humane skunk removal. They also repair damages made by the skunk and help you prevent future skunk-under-shed problems with exclusion methods.

Natural Repellents and Deterrents

Removing skunks may also be done using repellents and deterrents, like ammonia, vinegar, plants, and motion-activated devices.

Using Ammonia or Vinegar to Repel Skunks

Skunks are very sensitive to smells like ammonia and vinegar. You can use those scents around your shed to keep them out in several ways. Using a spray bottle, you can spray ammonia or vinegar on the ground and shed. You can also soak washcloths in ammonia or vinegar and place the rags under the shed. These scent repellents may temporarily work. You’ll need to constantly reapply the repellent. Wildlife usually grows accustomed to these scents fairly quickly rendering them useless.

Planting Skunk-Deterring Plants Around Your Shed

Tall, thick, and thorny hedges deter skunks. Planting them around your shed may help keep them out. Examples include mahonia and holly plants. If you have a garden, plant summer squash as a deterrent plant. Stinging nettle, citrus trees, daffodils, and Oregon grapes are also known to repel skunks.

Installing Motion-Activated Deterrent Devices

Skunks have poor vision and light sensitivity, especially at night when they are most active. Motion-activated devices, either solar or hard-wired, help repel skunks by scaring them with a sudden burst of light. You may also install motion-activated devices that make the sounds of a skunk’s predator to keep them away. Another option is motion-activated sprinklers.

Preventing Future Skunk Problems

Preventing skunks from living on your property in the future involves exclusion methods, like sealing entry points, de-cluttering your lawn, properly storing pet feed and trash, and removing food and water resources.

Sealing Potential Entry Points Under Your Shed

Sealing potential entry points to prevent skunk-under-shed activity includes enclosing and protecting areas under sheds, porches, and decks and putting barriers around window wells, crawlspaces, and basement doors and windows. When sealing entry points, use materials strong enough to withstand entry attempts a skunk or other wildlife will make. Wire mesh, steel, and concrete are great examples. Please do not use anything with holes in it, like a lattice, as skunks can break the lattice to gain entry.

Keeping Your Yard Clean and Free of Attractants

Skunks like to hide in cluttered areas, including under logs, rocks, tires, and junk piles. A well-manicured lawn is less attractive to a skunk than one that offers numerous places for a skunk and their prey to hide. Other tips for keeping your yard clean and free of attractants include removing bird feeders, securely storing pet or livestock feed, properly securing trash bins, eliminating areas with stagnant water that attract insects, fencing gardens, and protecting fruit and nut trees.

Attics are large, unfinished spaces at the top of the house under the roof. The attic serves as a versatile space that contributes to the functionality, comfort, and efficiency of the home. Attics help with temperature regulation by providing insulation and ventilation. The unfinished space can hide bulky equipment like HVAC units and offers a space for storage.

Homeowners don’t spend much time in these hot and humid spaces, but those conditions make them ideal nesting spots for critters. Animals like raccoons, squirrels, and bats find their way into attics, looking for safe places to create dens and nests. You will rarely see the animal in your attic, but you will notice it. It can be hard to ignore an animal in your attic

Noises in the Attic

The first sign you’ll likely encounter is any noises coming from the attic. Noise will alert you that animals are in the attic.

The time of day can help you narrow down the list of suspects. For example, raccoons are nocturnal, which means you’ll primarily hear their noises at night. But squirrels might create noise throughout the day when popping in and out to store food.

Additionally, the type of noise is a useful clue. If you hear chirping, then it’s likely birds in your attic. But if you hear tiny feet scampering, you might have small rodents on your hands.

Animal Waste

After you hear noises, you may want to pop your head into the attic to confirm the presence of a critter. Although you might not see the animal itself, you’ll likely find some evidence of its presence.

Specifically, look for feces, guano, and animal waste. At the very least, animal feces will confirm that you have a critter problem. But if you can identify the droppings, then you can identify the animal species.

Strange Smells

One of the most common smells associated with animals in the attic is the odor. Different animals have distinct urine smells, but generally, they can be quite strong and pungent. Animal droppings can emit a foul smell that worsens over time as they accumulate. The smell can range from musty to downright putrid, depending on the type of animal and the state of decomposition.

In addition to animal droppings, animals in the attic can cause a variety of smells, depending on factors such as the type of animal, its waste, and the duration of its presence. Here are some common odors associated with animals in the attic:

Rub Marks

Nuisance wildlife often leave rub marks as they move around your home. These marks typically appear as dark smudges or streaks on exterior surfaces such as walls, siding, and trim. The rub marks are caused by the natural oils and dirt on the animal’s fur transferring onto the surfaces as they repeatedly rub or brush against them.

Common locations for rub marks include entry points, such as gaps around doors and windows, as well as along travel routes and near nesting sites. These marks can vary in size and intensity depending on the type and size of the animal, with larger animals like raccoons and squirrels leaving more noticeable marks.

Identifying rub marks on your house can serve as an indication of wildlife activity and potential entry points, prompting homeowners to take action to prevent further damage and intrusion.

Animal Tracks or Runs

Animals in the attic will leave behind evidence of their movement.

Another indicator that animals will leave behind is paw prints on your ductwork. Opossums and raccoons have the biggest prints. They each have five fingers, but the palm of an opossum’s print is more triangular. Squirrels and rats have much smaller prints with their front feet having four toes and their hind feet having five.

When dealing with mice, rats, and even flying squirrels, you might see tunneling in an attic’s insulation. Typical tunnels are about three inches in diameter.

Animal Damage

Beyond waste and noises, any damage is another way to confirm that a critter is living in your attic. If left unchecked, these critters can cause not only noise but damage as well. Stored items in your attic are at risk for nuisance wildlife damage. Squirrels and rats will use cardboard boxes and their contents to create nests.

Animals will destroy insulation. Raccoons will dig up insulation to create nests. Norway rats create burrows through it. Any animal in the attic will contaminate the insulation with feces and urine.

https://www.crittercontrol.com/blog/raccoons-signs/Raccoons will often tear up ductwork or wallpaper. Rodents chew the wood and the electrical wires—creating potential fire hazards—and rats will live in your attic, breeding in high numbers. Frayed electrical wires are a significant fire hazard.

Andrew Cuen, District Manager Andrew Cuen, District Manager

The animals in Arizona have adapted to live in the desert climate. As people settled in the desert, they created new habitats for animals. Both agricultural and urban environments offer food, water sources, and shelter for wildlife. From scurrying rodents seeking shelter in suburban homes to elusive coyotes scavenging through neighborhoods at night, human-wildlife conflicts can become commonplace.

Wildlife Activity and the Drought

Arizona is in a cycle of long-form drought which impacts native wildlife. Water is the most important resource for animals in Arizona. During the drought, animals will congregate at established water sources. A few heavy days of rain won’t reverse the drought, but animals will have the ability to venture further from the established water source. After a rain, be aware of signs of a nuisance wildlife in your yard and house. You have an animal magnate if you have a water feature or a pool.

Breeding Season in Phoenix, AZ

Homeowners are more likely to experience nuisance wildlife infestation during the spring and summer because animals are looking for safe places to give birth. The most common spring nuisance wildlife in Phoenix are bobcats, raccoons, squirrels, and rattlesnakes. As we get closer to summer, skunks and bats become more of a problem.

Animals will create dens in your attic, inside the walls, or under decks and sheds. Animals like raccoons, bobcats, and squirrels will crawl into your attic to create a nest.

Skunks mate in the spring and give birth in the summer usually from May to June. Skunks will burrow under your deck to create a den to give birth.

The most common bat in Phoenix homes is the Mexican free-tailed bat. Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana) are highly social creatures that form large colonies for breeding and roosting. When selecting a maternity roosting location, these bats seek out environments that provide specific conditions conducive to successful reproduction and raising of young. These environments need to be warm, humid, dark and close to water.

Rattlesnakes give birth in August. Rattlesnakes prefer cool and damp places to give birth. As snakes are not capable of digging holes, it is common for rattlesnakes to make dens out of vacant rodent burrows. However, areas under your house like crawlspaces, basements, and porches provide a cool, damp location for a rattlesnake nest.

Signs of Wildlife in Phoenix

Some common signs of wildlife on your property include holes in your yard, damage along your roof, and disturbed garbage. Other signs of nuisance wildlife include strange sounds in your attic or walls, mysterious odors, physical damage to the home exterior, tracks or paw prints, and damaged insulation.

Wildlife Control in Phoenix, Arizona

Eliminating resources for animals will make your property less attractive to the critters. You can avoid a wildlife issue by removing food sources, limiting access to water, and cleaning up any debris piles.

If you are encountering a wildlife issue in Phoenix, call a professional. Females can be protective of their young. Attempting to remove an animal on your own, could lead to an animal attack. In some cases, simply stumbling onto an animal can be a problem. Surprised skunks will spray pets or people. Baby rattlesnakes tend to attack sooner than adults.

Andrew Cuen, the district manager for Critter Control of Phoenix, appeared on 12News to help educate Phoenix residents about wildlife activity.

Read the full article here.

Mothballs are insecticides intended to kill clothes moths and other fabric pests. Controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency, they are illegal to use for any purpose or by any method that isn’t specified on the label directions. This article explores if mothballs are effective wildlife deterrents for mice, snakes, bats, and other creatures, and highlights important health factors based on existing research.

History of Mothballs

Before modern air conditioning and heating systems were commonplace, households sought out natural airflow to regulate indoor temperatures, which brought with it the invasion of pests eager to eat homeowners’ favorite clothing. In response, mothballs became the first line of defense, a key element of clothing care and preservation.

With synthetic materials like nylon and polyester now blended with natural fibers like cotton, moths rarely seek out clothing as a food source. Nonetheless, there are many advertised uses for mothballs in the house and outdoor areas for wildlife control, many of which are considered dangerous or illegal.

How Mothballs Work

Mothballs are round discs of solid pesticides with the active ingredient naphthalene, camphor, paradichlorobenzene (dichlorobenzene). These solid discs release vapors that are toxic to moths and moth larvae, eliminating them or deterring them from the area. However, to be effective for pest management, mothballs must be placed in airtight containers where moths are exposed to high concentrations of vapors.

Mothballs as a Wildlife Repellent

Mothballs are frequently suggested as wildlife deterrents in both indoor and outdoor areas. These solutions are ineffective, dangerous to humans and pets, and illegal in some cases.  

Indoor

Mothballs are commonly made of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are toxic to humans and have detrimental health effects. Accidental mothballingestion is common in children. Fumes from naphthalene mothballs can escape into the air and can cause respiratory problems. High levels of fumes can accumulate in closed areas, and improper use of mothballs can lead to long-term exposures to people and pets. Medical issues as a result of mothball naphthalene poisoning include hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia,  and in rare cases, kidney damage.

For these reasons, mothballs should not be stored in closets, crawl spaces, attics, basements, storage chests, garment bags, or other spaces excluding airtight containers.

Outdoors

Mothballs are occasionally thrown in gardens and lawns to keep away pets and other animals. However, mothballs are ineffective in repelling wildlife in outdoor areas such as rats, mice, squirrels, bats, snakes, or other wildlife.  Mothballs may contaminate soil and water and their use as animal repellants is not appropriate and can be illegal.

Do Mothballs Ward Off Snakes?

Mothballs don’t repel snakes. As snakes are attracted to areas that provide cover and shelter, homeowners should remove log or trash piles close to the home and maintain grass or other vegetation to make the area less appealing.

Will Mothballs Repel Mice & Rats?

Mothballs contain naphthalene, but the small quantity in mothballs is insufficient to effectively deter rats or mice , and the smell rapidly dissipates. The smell can be a deterrent in large enough quantities, but will not prevent rodent infestation, on top of health risks.

Bats and Mothballs

Unfortunately, there are no magical products to repel bats, including mothballs. Similar to mice, naphthalene is an annoyance to pests, but not enough to prevent the species from occupying your living space.

Groundhogs and Mothballs

Filling a groundhog hole with mothballs is not effective, and increases the chance that the groundhog will simply create another den nearby until the smell dissipates, which happens rapidly. Groundhog-proof fencing or removal services are the only effective, guaranteed solutions.

Mothballs, Chipmunks and Squirrels

While chipmunks and squirrels dislike the smell of mothballs, mothballs are a less effective option relative to trapping and removal services. Mothballs are considered an inhumane alternative as chipmunks and squirrels may die after consuming. Lastly, the use of mothballs to deter chipmunks and squirrels may be illegal depending on your locality and is bad for the environment.

Do Repellents Work?

Natural repellents like predator urine, citrus ammonia, and mothballs have low effectiveness as deterrents.

Instead of using ineffective mothball solutions to deter mice or other wildlife species, contact Critter Control technicians who can tailor permanent solutions for your wildlife problem. Mothballs are ineffective deterrents of wildlife, and most importantly pose health risks to the inhabitants of a home.