How to Keep Wildlife Out of Your Home (And When to Call a Licensed Pro)

It doesn’t take much for curious critters to find their way into your home. From raccoons in the attic to squirrels chewing wires, unwanted wildlife can cause major stress and costly damage if not addressed quickly. Knowing how to keep animals out of your attic and when to call for professional wildlife control can make all the difference in protecting your property year-round.

What Types of Wildlife Commonly Invade Homes?

Homeowners in Delaware are no strangers to common nuisance animals. While some wildlife prefers to stay outdoors, others are notorious for turning attics, basements, and crawlspaces into their personal shelters.

Raccoons, Squirrels, and Bats

• Raccoons are clever and strong, often tearing through shingles or vents to access attics.
• Squirrels can squeeze through small openings and will gnaw on wood and wiring.
• Bats may roost in attics, especially during warmer months, and can leave behind hazardous droppings (guano).

Groundhogs, Skunks, and Opossums

• Groundhogs can tunnel under decks or foundations.
• Skunks often look for shelter in crawlspaces or under porches.
• Opossums are opportunistic and may enter garages or sheds in search of food.

Seasonal Wildlife Activity: When Problems Spike

Wildlife activity tends to spike in spring and fall. Spring brings nesting season, which means animals may seek safe, quiet spaces indoors to raise their young. In fall, critters start looking for warm shelter before winter.

How Do Wild Animals Get Inside?

Understanding wildlife entry points is key to stopping infestations before they start. Most animals are surprisingly resourceful when it comes to finding a way in.

• Roof gaps, vents, and soffits: Loose shingles or unprotected vents are common access points for raccoons and squirrels.
• Chimneys and crawlspaces: Chimneys without caps and open crawlspaces are easy targets for bats, skunks, and opossums.
• Uncapped pipes and broken screens: Even a small tear in a screen or gap in siding can be enough for smaller wildlife.

Top Signs You May Have a Wildlife Infestation

Not sure if something has already moved in? Watch for these signs of wildlife in the attic or elsewhere in your home:

• Scratching, scurrying, or movement sounds—especially at night
• Droppings or strong, musky odors
• Torn insulation, chewed wires, or damaged vents

If you notice any of these wildlife damage signs, it’s time to take action.

Wildlife Prevention Tips Every Homeowner Should Follow

The best way to deal with wildlife issues is to prevent them in the first place. Here are a few wildlife prevention tips to keep animals out:

• Seal vulnerable openings around your home with durable materials.
• Trim trees so branches don’t hang over your roof.
• Store trash in sealed bins to avoid attracting raccoons and opossums.
• Remove pet food and bird seed from outdoor areas.

These steps can greatly reduce the chances of animals moving in.

Why DIY Wildlife Removal Can Backfire

Attempting to remove wildlife on your own may seem like a quick fix, but it can lead to bigger problems, including:

• Legal issues: In Delaware, certain species like bats are protected and require special handling.
• Risk of separating babies from mothers, which can leave young animals stranded and lead to even more noise and odor issues.
• Disease exposure and safety hazards: Many animals can carry rabies, parasites, or other harmful pathogens.

When to Call a Wildlife Control Professional

Not every critter encounter requires a call to the pros—but in these situations, it’s best to bring in an expert:

• Repeated infestations or extensive property damage
• Bats in the attic (which require licensed removal)
• Unidentified animal activity, especially if you’re hearing noises but can’t pinpoint the source

A professional can identify the species, remove it safely, and prevent future problems.

JEM Pest Solutions Offers Expert, Humane Wildlife Control Services

When wildlife takes over, JEM Pest Solutions is here to help. Our team specializes in humane animal removal service that complies with Delaware state regulations. We focus on wildlife exclusion services, not just trapping so animals are kept out for good.

With custom sealing and attic clean-outs, we'll help you remove wildlife traces as if they never entered. Whether you need one-time or seasonal services to prevent issues, we're here to help. Call now to schedule an inspection before the damage spreads!