Information About Common Pest Wildlife Species

RACCOON: The most common problems caused by raccoons are - ripping open roof or soffit to break into attic - destroying insulation, ducts, wood, and wires in attics - tipping over garbage cans - killing decorative fish in ponds, killing chickens, other pets - stealing pet food - pooping in swimming pools - rolling up sod for earthworms - eating crops like corn - entering pet doors and going inside homes - living under sheds or houses - basically, almost anything.

EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL: The most common problems caused by squirrels are - chewing into fascia, roof, or soffit and living in the attic - destroying wood, ducts, piping, and electrical wires in attics - fire hazard due to chewing on electrical wires in attic or walls - nesting and scratching in walls - bringing nest debris into attics - chewing on wood trim around home - digging up yard - digging up garden - stealing bird seed. Squirrels are the most common attic pests.

OPOSSUM: The most common problems caused by possums are - living in human structures, under decks, porches, sheds - climbing into and living in attics - spreading lots of droppings and fleas in attic or wherever they live - stealing pet food - spreading fleas to pets - living under a house - dying under a house, and causing odor problems - opossums getting stuck in various places, like garage, garbage cans, etc.

SKUNK: The most common problems caused by skunks are - odor problems on property - spraying dog or other pet - living in human structures, under decks, porches, sheds - falling into basement window wells - living in basement - stealing pet food - spreading fleas to pets - living under a house - dying under a house, and causing odor problems - getting stuck in various places, like garage, garbage cans, etc.

GROUNDHOG (WOODCHUCK): The most common problems caused by groundhogs are - eating crops or causing garden damage - causing landscaping damage - digging large burrows next to house or under shed, porch, etc. - digging large burrows next to house - land erosion in undesirable areas - threat to horses or cattle with burrow holes. These animals commonly live under a shed, deck, porch, or other structures, where they can move a lot of dirt.

RATS / MICE: The most common problems caused by rats and mice are - living in house and scampering in ceiling or walls - spreading disease to humans or pets - eating and contaminating human foodstuffs - chewing on pipes or electrical wires in attic - fire hazard from chewing electrical wires - bringing nesting material into attic or walls - odor problems from thousands of droppings and urine stains

MOLES: The most common problems caused by moles are yard or lawn damage related - clumps of dirt known as molehills in yard - surface tunnels throughout yard - some light flowerbed or landscaping damage. Most people object to the yard and lawn damage. It's not necessarily dangerous damage, but it's cosmetic damage, and it can be extensive in some cases. Moles are usually solitary, so trapping just a couple, or even one, can solve the problem.

PIGEON: The most common problems caused by pigeons are - leaving unsanitary, unsightly, and corrosive droppings in urban areas - damage to paint on cars from droppings and urine - spread of disease - roosting on building ledges, beams, commercial signage, etc. - living in attics - bringing nesting material, parasites, feathers, into attics. The best way to solve a pigeon problem is to prevent them from roosting in an area, via netting, spikes, etc.

BATS: The most common problems caused by bats are - large colonies of bats living in buildings - leaving tens of thousands of droppings in attics or other parts of buildings - odor problems - noise problems - corrosion problems from droppings and urine in attics - threat of rabies transmission to humans - threat of lung disease from mold that grows on droppings. Bat colonies grow larger year over year. A small colony isn't a big deal, but it soon will be.

SNAKES: The most common problems caused by snakes are - just plain fear of snakes - snakes living under shed, porch, or house - the very small chance of venomous snake bite to human or pet - snake stuck inside house - snake in attic - snake stuck in swimming pool. Many snake sightings are transient, just a snake passing through, and no big deal. But if a snake is stuck somewhere, in your house or other structure, we can safely remove it.

NINE BANDED ARMADILLO: The most common problems caused by armadillos are - damage to lawn or landscaping from many food search holes - large burrow on property or next to house - land erosion in undesirable areas such as under concrete foundations or walkways. Armadillos can destroy a lawn in short order by digging hundreds of holes looking for worms and grubs. Otherwise, they are gentle and harmless animals.

DEAD ANIMALS: The most common problems caused by dead animals are - horrible odor in house from dead carcass in attic, walls, under house, etc, which can last for more than a month - maggots and fly hatch in house 21 days after animal dies - fleas, sanitation or health risk problems. We remove dead animals both inside homes, where we sometimes have to cut open a hole in the drywall to find and remove it, and we also remove animals outside.

I mostly just wrote about the problems these common conflict wildlife species cause. Click on any animal on the left to learn a lot more about each critter, including biology, and strategies to solve problems with these wild animals. Read more about types of Problems Caused By Nuisance Wildlife.

Select Your Animal

RaccoonsRaccoon Control Education and Services

SquirrelsSquirrel Control Education and Services

OpossumOpossum Control Education and Services

SkunksSkunk Control Education and Services

RatsRat Control Education and Services

MiceMouse Control Education and Services

MolesMole Control Education and Services

GroundhogGroundhog Control Education and Services

ArmadillosArmadillo Control Education and Services

BeaverBeaver Control Education and Services

FoxFox Control Education and Services

CoyotesCoyote Control Education and Services

BirdsBird Control Education and Services

BatsBat Control Education and Services

SnakesSnake Control Education and Services

DeadDead Animal Control Education and Services