Pest Library
Wildlife
Raccoons, squirrels, groundhogs and skunks are fun to watch outside, but not when they move into your attic, chimney or under your deck. Here's what to look for and how we remove them humanely.
On this page: Raccoon · Gray squirrel · Groundhog · Striped skunk
Need help now? See our wildlife trapping & removal service.
Attic and crawlspace signs, and humane removal
Signs in the attic: scratching or thumping, especially at dawn and dusk; chewed or torn vents, soffits and shingles; flattened insulation; droppings; and a strong smell. Signs around crawlspaces and decks: burrows and dug-up soil, torn screening, and a skunk smell.
Humane removal means trapping or one-way doors that let animals out but not back in, checking for babies so no young are left behind, and following state wildlife rules. Then we repair and seal the entry points so other animals can't move in.
Raccoon
Quick ID
- Medium-sized, about 2 to 3 feet long including the tail
- Gray fur, black 'mask' and a ringed, bushy tail
- Strong, handlike front paws
Signs of a problem
- Loud thumping in the attic or chimney at night
- Torn shingles, soffits or vents
- Tipped-over trash cans and droppings on roofs and decks
How Pestworx handles it
We remove raccoons humanely, check for young, then repair and seal the entry points and cap chimneys.
Prevention tips
- Use locking trash can lids
- Install a chimney cap
- Don't leave pet food outside overnight
Gray squirrel
Quick ID
- Body about 9 to 12 inches with a big bushy tail
- Gray with a white belly; some are all black
- Active in the daytime
Signs of a problem
- Scratching and running in the attic in the early morning and late afternoon
- Chewed holes at the roofline, soffits or gable vents
- Nesting material and droppings in the attic
How Pestworx handles it
We use one-way doors and traps to get them out, then seal and screen the holes with chew-proof materials.
Prevention tips
- Trim branches 6 to 8 feet back from the roof
- Screen attic vents
- Fix damaged soffits and fascia quickly
Groundhog
Quick ID
- Large rodent, about 16 to 26 inches long, chunky body
- Grizzled brown fur, short legs and a short bushy tail
- Also called a woodchuck
Signs of a problem
- Large burrow openings, 10 to 12 inches wide, near foundations, sheds, decks and slabs
- Eaten garden plants
- Dirt mounds by the burrow entrance
How Pestworx handles it
We trap and remove groundhogs humanely, then install exclusion barriers so they can't dig back under decks and sheds.
Prevention tips
- Fence gardens with buried wire mesh
- Close up the space under decks and sheds
- Fill old burrows after they're empty
Striped skunk
Quick ID
- About the size of a house cat
- Black with two white stripes down the back
- Moves slowly and stamps its feet before spraying
Signs of a problem
- Strong skunk smell around the house, especially under decks and porches
- Small cone-shaped holes in the lawn from digging for grubs
- Burrows under decks, porches and sheds
How Pestworx handles it
We remove skunks carefully and humanely, then seal off decks, porches and crawlspaces with buried exclusion barriers.
Prevention tips
- Close off the space under decks, porches and sheds
- Don't leave pet food or birdseed out
- Keep garbage in sealed cans
Seeing wildlife? Get a free inspection
Call (888) 511-9460 or request a quote online and we will find out what you are dealing with. New customers get $50 off their first service with a 12-month plan.
We serve homes and businesses in Camden, Burlington, Mercer and Gloucester counties in New Jersey, and Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.
New customer offer
Your first service, $50 off
$50 off your initial service for new customers who sign up for a 12-month service plan.
New residential and commercial customers only. Requires a 12-month service agreement. Can't be combined with other offers. Mention this offer when you call or request a quote.More from the Pest Library
