• What You Need to Know

    Raccoons are intelligent and resourceful animals, but when they find their way into homes, they can cause serious problems. They are strong climbers and can easily access attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces in search of shelter. Once inside, raccoons may damage insulation, chew wires, and leave behind droppings that can carry harmful bacteria and parasites.

    • Loud thumping or scratching noises at night.

    • Torn shingles, soffits, or roof vents.

    • Compromised or missing foundation vents.

    • Strong odors from urine or droppings.

    • Tipped-over trash cans or scattered debris outside.

    • Shelter – Warm, safe spaces like attics are ideal nesting spots.

    • Food – Pet food, garbage, and gardens are common attractants.

    • Nesting – Female raccoons often seek homes during spring to raise their young.

    • Property Damage – Raccoons can tear through roofs, vents, and siding.

    • Health Hazards – Their droppings may spread diseases like leptospirosis or raccoon roundworm.

    • Electrical Dangers – Chewed wires can become fire hazards.

    • Raccoons are nicknamed “masked bandits” because of their black facial markings.

    • They have incredibly dexterous front paws — almost like human hands — allowing them to open jars, latches, and even doorknobs.

    • Raccoons are excellent swimmers and climbers, making them very adaptable in both urban and rural areas.

    • They are highly intelligent — studies show raccoons can remember solutions to tasks for up to 3 years.

    • Their scientific name, Procyon lotor, means “the washer” because they often dip food in water before eating (though scientists believe it’s more about touch than actual washing).

    • Raccoons can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees, helping them climb down trees headfirst.

    • Baby raccoons are called kits or cubs.

    • Raccoons are mostly nocturnal, which is why you often see them exploring trash cans at night.

  • Skunks are well known for their strong odor, but these small nocturnal animals can cause bigger problems when they decide to move close to your home. They often dig under decks, sheds, and foundations to create dens, and while they’re not usually aggressive, their presence can lead to damage and unpleasant encounters.n text goes here

    • Persistent skunk odor around your property.

    • Burrows or holes near decks, sheds, or porches.

    • Tracks with long claw marks in the soil.

    • Pets coming inside smelling strongly of skunk spray.

    • Shelter – Skunks dig dens under decks, porches, and sheds.

    • Food – They’re attracted to pet food, garbage, bird seed, and grubs in the lawn.

    • Safety – Quiet, dark spaces make perfect hiding spots.

    • Spray – Skunks release a powerful defensive spray that’s hard to remove and can cause eye irritation.

    • Property Damage – Their digging weakens foundations, lawns, and gardens.

    • Health Hazards – Skunks can carry diseases such as rabies and parasites like ticks and fleas.

    • Climbing is one of their weak points, they often get stuck if they have to climb out.

    • They are great swimmers!

    • They have no natural predators, so deterrents don’t usually work on them.

    • Skunks are famous for their spray — but they only use it as a last resort since it takes time to refill their scent glands.

    • Their spray can reach up to 10 feet with surprising accuracy.

    • Baby skunks are called kits, and they can spray as early as a few weeks old.

    • Skunks are actually gentle and shy animals — they’d rather run or stomp their feet to warn you before spraying.

    • They are excellent diggers and help control insect populations by eating grubs, beetles, and larvae.

    • Skunks have poor eyesight but make up for it with a strong sense of smell and hearing.

    • A group of skunks is called a “surfeit.”

    • Despite their reputation, skunks are important to the ecosystem — they’re natural pest controllers!

  • Squirrels may look harmless when they’re running across your yard, but inside your home they can become one of the most destructive pests. These agile climbers often squeeze through small gaps in roofs, vents, or soffits to build nests in attics. Once inside, they can cause extensive property damage and create safety hazards.

    • Scratching, scurrying, or chewing sounds in the attic or walls (often during the day).

    • Droppings or nesting materials in the attic.

    • Chewed wires, insulation, or wood beams.

    • Visible entry points around rooflines, soffits, or vents.

    • Nesting – Attics are warm, quiet, and safe places to raise young.

    • Food – Pet food, bird feeders, and gardens are major attractants.

    • Shelter – Protection from predators and harsh weather.m description

    • Property Damage – Squirrels constantly chew to keep their teeth sharp, damaging wood, insulation, and even siding.

    • Fire Hazards – Chewed electrical wires can spark dangerous fires.

    • Health Concerns – Droppings and urine can spread odors and bacteria.

    • A squirrel’s front teeth never stop growing — that’s why they’re always chewing!

    • They can leap up to 10 times their body length in a single jump.

    • Squirrels are excellent climbers and can even run headfirst down a tree thanks to rotating ankles.

    • They “plant” thousands of nuts each year, but often forget where they buried them — helping new trees grow.

    • A group of squirrels is called a “scurry” or a “dray.”

    • Baby squirrels are called kits or kittens.

    • Squirrels can run up to 20 miles per hour.

    • They’re incredibly smart — some have been observed creating “fake caches” (pretend nut hiding spots) to trick other squirrels from stealing their food!

  • Mice and rats are among the most common household pests. They are highly adaptable, reproduce quickly, and can squeeze through incredibly small openings to gain access to food and shelter.

    • Both are excellent climbers, jumpers, and swimmers.

    • Their teeth never stop growing — they gnaw constantly to keep them short.

    • Mice live about 9–12 months, while rats can live 2–3 years in the wild.

    • A single female mouse can have 6–10 litters per year, with up to 12 pups each time.

    • Rats breed almost year-round, with litters of 6–14 pups.

    • This means just a few rodents can quickly turn into an infestation.

    • Droppings (small and pellet-like for mice, larger for rats)

    • Gnaw marks on food containers, wires, or wood

    • Scratching sounds at night in walls or ceilings

    • Nesting material (shredded paper, fabric, insulation)

    • Strong musky odor from urine

  • Rodents don’t invade homes at random — they’re looking for the same basic things people need: food, water, and shelter. Unfortunately, our homes provide the perfect environment for them to survive and multiply.

    Common Reasons Rodents Enter Homes

    • Food Sources – Pet food, crumbs, unsealed pantry items, bird seed, and garbage attract rodents.

    • Shelter & Warmth – Attics, basements, and wall voids offer protection from predators and harsh weather, especially in colder months.

    • Nesting Areas – Shredded insulation, cardboard, or fabric makes excellent nesting material.

    • Water Access – Leaky pipes, pet water bowls, and even condensation provide enough moisture to sustain them.

    • Easy Access Points – Small cracks in foundations, gaps around doors, or holes in siding and vents allow entry.

    Seasonal Patterns

    • Fall & Winter – Mice and rats are most likely to move indoors as temperatures drop.

    • Spring & Summer – They may nest inside homes to safely raise their young.

    The Bottom Line

    If rodents find an easy way in and a steady food source, they’ll settle in — and because they breed rapidly, even a couple of mice or rats can turn into an infestation in just a few months.

    • Health Hazards – Rodents can spread diseases like salmonella, hantavirus, and leptospirosis through droppings and urine.

    • Allergies & Asthma – Droppings and shed hair can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.

    • Property Damage – Chewing wires creates fire risks; gnawing damages wood, insulation, and personal belongings.

    • Food Contamination – They can easily spoil stored food with droppings and urine.

    • Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime, and rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter.

    • A rat’s teeth are so strong they can gnaw through wood, aluminum, and even some concrete.

    • Mice are naturally curious, while rats are cautious and intelligent — they can learn to avoid traps.

    • A mouse’s heart beats about 500–700 times per minute.

    • Rats are excellent swimmers and can tread water for up to 3 days.

    • Mice and rats mark their paths with urine trails, which other rodents follow.

    • Some species of rats have been trained to detect landmines and sniff out diseases because of their strong sense of smell.

    • A group of rats is called a mischief, and a group of mice is sometimes called a nest.

  • Mice (and other small rodents) can create water internally through their metabolism. Here’s how it works:

    • When mice eat food — especially grains, seeds, and carbohydrates — their bodies break it down through a process called cellular respiration.

    • During this process, nutrients like fats and carbohydrates are converted into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

    • This “metabolic water” helps sustain them, even if they don’t drink from an external water source.

    This is why mice can survive in dry environments (like attics, wall voids, or storage rooms) with little to no direct water source — as long as they have access to food, they can generate enough water internally to survive.

    That’s also why infestations can be tough to control: removing standing water isn’t enough — if food is available, mice can still thrive.

  • Bats are an important part of the ecosystem, playing a vital role in controlling insect populations. However, when they roost inside homes, barns, or attics, they can create serious health and safety concerns. Because bats are a protected species in many states, they must be handled with care and excluded humanely.

    • Squeaking or scratching noises at dusk or dawn

    • Dark stains or oily smudges near entry points (caused by bat oils and droppings)

    • Accumulation of bat droppings (guano) in attics or near entry holes

    • Strong, musty ammonia-like odor from guano buildup

    • Roosting Sites – Attics, chimneys, and wall voids mimic the caves and hollow trees bats use in the wild.

    • Safety – Bats seek dark, quiet areas away from predators.

    • Maternity Colonies – Female bats often choose attics in spring and summer to raise their young.

    • Health Hazards – Bat guano can grow a fungus that causes histoplasmosis, a respiratory illness.

    • Rabies Risk – While rare, bats are a primary carrier of rabies in the U.S. Direct contact should always be avoided.

    • Structural Damage – Accumulated guano corrodes wood and insulation over time.

    • Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight.

    • There are over 1,400 species of bats worldwide, making up about 20% of all mammal species.

    • A single bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour, making them natural pest controllers.

    • Many bats use echolocation (high-frequency sound waves) to navigate and hunt in complete darkness.

    • Some bats can live more than 20 years in the wild.

    • Bat mothers are incredibly nurturing — they can identify their pups by sound and scent among thousands in a colony.

    • Contrary to myths, most bats do not drink blood — the majority eat insects or fruit.

    • Bat guano (droppings) has historically been used as a powerful natural fertilizer because of its richness in nitrogen.