Where Do Wildlife Go In The Winter?

You might associate the presence of nuisance wildlife like squirrels, raccoons and skunks with the hot temperatures and longer days of summer, but where do they go during the colder, snowy months? While some critters like snakes and groundhogs go into torpor and hibernation, squirrels, raccoons, rodents and skunks will stay active throughout the winter, trying to get inside your attic or crawl space, or ripping up your yard in search of food. If you are dealing with nuisance wildlife causing problems on your property in Westchester, then contact the experts at Westchester Wildlife. We offer safe, humane, wildlife trapping and removal services in the Westchester, Dutchess, and Putnam County areas.

Squirrels

Squirrels stay active throughout the entire fall, scavenging for nuts and seeds they can store inside piles of food called “caches” that they hide around their territory. Squirrels can hide their food inside hollow tree cavities, inside holes in the ground, or sometimes even inside attic spaces or wall voids. During the winter, squirrels will begin retrieving food from their caches, while also searching for warm, safe places to spend the winter. Unfortunately, this often means squirrels will set up shop in your attic. Squirrels inside the attic will rip up your insulation to make their nests, often soiling it in the process with urine and droppings.

Raccoons

Similar to squirrels, raccoons will gorge themselves on food during autumn, building up fat reserves to protect them during the winter. However, raccoons do not build up food caches and instead must continue searching for food throughout the winter. This won’t be too hard for the crafty raccoon, as these scavengers eat pretty much anything. Raccoons will become more desperate for food during the winter, and more willing to invade your property to dig through your trash can, raid your bird feeder, or eat out of pet food bowls that have been left outside. Raccoons do not hibernate, but they may den together to conserve body heat and enter a state of lowered activity called torpor when the temperatures go below 20 degrees. Raccoons will also seek out shelter within your home, getting inside your attic where they will tear through insulation and HVAC ducts. Raccoons also dig latrines inside insulation, where the waste can build up in such large quantities that it can begin to seep through the ceiling.

Mice and Rats

Mice and rats have evolved to live alongside humans, and the warmth and food associated with our homes often draws these rodents inside when the temperatures drop. Mice might huddle in their outdoor nests and slow down their activity when the weather begins to get really frigid. Rats cannot survive without people, and will die in the winter if they can’t find shelter or food. Rodent activity will ramp up as the temperatures plummet. You might see greasy marks alongside the baseboards of your home that are left by rats brushing their fur up against it. Rats and mice need to gnaw to keep the length of their ever-growing teeth down, so they will chew holes in cabinet doors, wooden support beams, and the rubber covering around wires, which can expose the bare wiring and pose a fire risk. Mice will also tunnel through your insulation, which can affect its ability to resist heat. One of the main reasons why rodents are attracted to your home in the winter is because your home is often full of food. Whether it be spills and crumbs in the kitchen or dry, prepackaged food in the pantry, your home provides a banquet for hungry rodents in the winter. You might spot chewed holes in paper, soft plastic, or cardboard food packaging. Cleaning up all spills and crumbs immediately and keeping your prepackaged food in sturdy, hard plastic containers can help keep rodents out of your food supply.

Snakes

Snakes are cold-blooded and are less adapted to staying active during the winter. Snakes often brumate, or enter a period of lowered activity, during the winter. Snakes often brumate together in burrows, groundhog tunnels, fox holes, leaf litter, or even inside tree stumps or dead logs. While snakes generally stay away from homes during winter, they might set up shop inside your crawl space, especially if you have a steady population of mice and rats for them to eat. 

Groundhogs and Skunks

Groundhogs actually DO hibernate, staying asleep in their underground tunnels from October to late February. When hibernating, a groundhog’s heartbeat slows to 4-10 beats per minute, and their breathing rate slows to one breath every six months. Groundhogs won’t be digging up your yard during the winter, but you might have to deal with another digging critter. 

Skunks are scavengers that continue searching for food throughout the winter. During winter, as food sources become more scarce, skunks will be drawn to your property, searching for food within your trash cans. Skunks will also rip up your lawn to find beetle larvae known as grubs to eat. If your property provides enough food sources, skunks might dig out dens underneath your deck or porch, which can increase the likelihood of a spraying incident, especially because skunks spray to mark their territory.

Wildlife Trapping and Removal Near Me

If you are dealing with raccoons, squirrels, mice, rats, snakes, groundhogs or skunks on your property in Westchester County, contact the experts at Westchester Wildlife. Our team can protect your home from these pests and nuisance wildlife this winter. Once these critters have been removed from your property, we can provide you with exclusions and seal-outs to prevent them from returning. Contact our team to get started today with a FREE estimate at (914) 760-5713!

Dangers of a Skunk Problem

Skunks are the small striped black and white critters that are known for the extremely foul-smelling spray that they will douse threats and potential predators in. The smell of skunk sprays is very difficult to get rid of, especially if a skunk sprays your curious dog. However, this isn’t the only damage that skunks can do. Skunks will also knock over trash cans and raid left out pet food bowls, and they are also known to rip up your grass to find grubs to eat. Skunks will also dig out dens underneath sheds, porches, decks, and inside crawl spaces, spraying around these areas to mark their territory. Don’t worry, Westchester Wildlife can help. In addition to humane skunk trapping and removal services, we also offer wildlife barriers and exclusions to keep these critters off your Westchester property in the future.

Skunk Feeding Habits

Skunks are omnivorous scavengers, eating whatever edible thing they come across. Skunks will prey on mice, birds, bird eggs, voles, moles, and insects like grasshoppers, wasps, bees, crickets, beetles, and especially beetle larvae, also known as grubs. Because grubs are found deep within soil, skunks will rip up your lawn to find these easy meals. Skunks can also feed on your garden crops and any fruits, nuts, or seeds growing in your garden. Skunks are also excellent scavengers, and will happily knock over garbage cans for food, or raid your pet food bowls. Never feed skunks intentionally, as this will make the skunks lose their natural fear of humans, which can result in large congregations of skunks on your property, waiting for the next free meal.

Skunk Sprays

The biggest risk associated with skunks is the extremely foul-smelling spray they will unleash on whatever is posing a direct threat to them. Thankfully, skunks are not an aggressive animal, and will prefer to run away from a fight. Even if a skunk does spray, it gives plenty of warning signs. Skunks about to spray will adopt a wide stance, raise their tail in the air, and aggressively stomp their feet, so if you see a skunk displaying these behaviors, remove yourself from the situation immediately. Skunk sprays can be a major irritant, affecting the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. The odor is unbearable and can cause nausea, and it is very difficult to get rid of. It’s even more difficult to get rid of when the skunk sprays your dog, as the scent can get trapped in their fur. 

Skunk Dens

Skunks don’t nest inside attic spaces like raccoons or squirrels, instead they prefer to dig out dens for themselves and their young closer to the ground. Skunks will nest inside crawl spaces and underneath decks, porches, or sheds. Skunks also love rock piles or woodpiles, as they provide ideal cover. Skunks will spend lots of time in their dens during periods of harsh weather, or after they use their spraying defense, as it can take over a week for their scent gland to replenish itself. Skunks will also spray to mark their territory, and if they are spraying inside your crawl space or underneath your deck, the smell can rise up into your home.

Skunk Trapping and Removal

Never attempt to trap or remove skunks by yourself, as they can and will spray if they feel cornered, and they are also armed with sharp teeth and claws that they can lash out with, especially if they are protecting their babies. Skunks can spread rabies through their scratches and bites, so always leave skunk removal to the experts at Westchester Wildlife. Our team will safely and humanely trap and remove skunks, taking special care to remove the skunk babies with their mother. If you need skunk trapping and removal services in Westchester County, NY,  Putnam County, NY, Dutchess County, NY, Fairfield County, CT or Litchfield County, CT, contact the experts at Westchester Wildlife today at (914) 760-5713!

How To Keep Skunks Out

The best way to deal with a skunk problem is to take preventative measures to keep them from coming to your property in the first place. Keep your trash cans tightly sealed, and do not feed your pet outdoors, as trash cans and pet food bowls are a common food source for skunks. Skunks may wander into your garage, so keep your garage door closed at night. Westchester Wildlife can also help, we can install wildlife barriers underneath your porch, deck, or shed to prevent skunks from digging underneath.

Best Skunk Removal in Westchester County

Skunks are a common nuisance animal that can douse you and your pets in their overwhelmingly awful scent, which is very difficult to get rid of. Skunks are also known to rip up lawns to search for grubs to eat, and they will knock over your trash cans and get into your garage to search for any pet food you might’ve left out. Skunks can also dig out dens underneath your porch, deck, or inside your crawl space, and they will spray to mark their territory. Don’t try to remove skunks yourself, as they can bite and scratch, and they are common rabies vectors. Westchester Wildlife can help. We offer skunk trapping and removal services in Westchester, as well as skunk exclusions, skunk damage repair and wildlife barriers. Contact us today to get started with a FREE estimate at (914) 760-5713!

How To Keep Woodpeckers Out

Do you have woodpeckers damaging the side of your house in Westchester, NY? Woodpeckers are a common nuisance for homeowners, pecking and drilling away at siding, trees, wooden furniture, and even sometimes gutters and downspouts. Woodpeckers are difficult to get rid of, especially because they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Don’t worry, Westchester Wildlife can still help! We can provide you with exclusions and deterrents to keep woodpeckers from drilling at your home. We can also safely and humanely remove woodpeckers in accordance with laws and guidelines. Contact Westchester Wildlife to get started with a FREE estimate for woodpecker control and deterrent services in the NY/CT counties of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Fairfield, and Litchfield at (800) 273-6673!

Types of Woodpeckers in CT and NY

New York and Connecticut are home to many different types of woodpeckers, with these different species varying wildly in size and coloration. Some of the species you may encounter include: 

• Downy Woodpecker 
• Hairy Woodpecker 
• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
• Northern Flicker 
• Red-bellied Woodpecker 
• Pileated Woodpecker 
• Red-headed Woodpecker 

No matter what type of woodpecker is damaging your property, Westchester Wildlife is here to help with exclusion and deterrent services. 

Woodpecker Damage

Woodpeckers feed on insects like carpenter ants and carpenter bees that spend their time inside wood, so they have evolved to have sharp, sturdy beaks with which to peck and drill rapidly at trees, creating cavities that allow them to snatch insects for a quick meal. Woodpeckers will also create cavities inside trees to make their nests. During the springtime, male woodpeckers will attract mates and mark their territory by pecking loudly at any hard surface they can find. Woodpeckers can actually be beneficial in the yard, as they are natural pest control agents that feed on insects. Problems with woodpeckers arise when they start drilling holes on the sides of houses, on decks, and on deck furniture in search of food. Additionally, woodpeckers may start pecking on gutters, downspouts, metal eaves, and your home’s siding during their mating season. Woodpecker damage doesn’t just cause unsightly damage to your property, it can also leave your home more vulnerable to water leaks and pest intrusions. Additionally, the actual drilling process can be extremely loud and annoying, and may even disrupt your sleep schedule. 

What Attracts Woodpeckers?

Woodpeckers are attracted to dead trees on your property, as they provide a perfect spot for them to build their nests. Woodpeckers love to eat wood destroying insects like termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and wood boring beetles. If your home is infested with these pests, then woodpeckers will drill through your wooden structures to get these easy meals. If you have a bird feeder in your yard, woodpeckers will happily partake in any seeds or nuts inside. Woodpeckers are also attracted to the aluminum, tin, and other metals that might be on your roof, windows, flashing or gutters as they amplify their pecking sound, which is how woodpeckers communicate.

Woodpecker Deterrent

Woodpeckers are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and must be handled with care. The best way to deal with a woodpecker problem is to deter them from your property. Bird spikes installed on high traffic areas will prevent them from landing, and installing bird netting will keep them out of your yard altogether. Scaring and hazing woodpeckers can also be effective, especially when two or more techniques are used at the same time. A good pest control program for your property can eliminate food sources for woodpeckers, which will cause them to move on from your home faster.

Woodpecker Control from Westchester Wildlife

Removal of woodpeckers from your property should be an absolute last resort, and you should never attempt to remove them yourself, as woodpeckers are federally protected. Always leave woodpecker removal to the experts at Westchester Wildlife. Our team can also seal off and fortify any holes that woodpeckers drilled into your home. Contact us to get started today with a FREE estimate at  (800) 273-6673!

How To Prevent Wildlife from Entering Your Home as Temperatures Drop

Fall is here, and as the temperatures drop, nuisance pests and wildlife will be searching for ways to get inside your home in the Westchester, NY area. Raccoons, squirrels, birds, bats, mice, rats, and more will be searching for any potential entry point to your attic or crawl space that they can fit through, searching for a warm place to spend the winter, safe from the freezing temperatures. It’s important that your home is fortified against these critters for the fall, as once they get inside your home, they can spread diseases like rabies and cause catastrophic damage to your attic insulation. If you need wildlife removal or exclusion services in the Westchester area, contact the experts at Westchester Wildlife. Our team has years of experience dealing with nuisance wildlife, and you can rest assured that we will safely and humanely remove and exclude these critters from your property.

Wildlife in the Attic in the Fall

Your attic space is prime real estate for squirrels, raccoons, bats, birds, and more, especially as the temperatures cool down. Attic spaces provide safe, warm, secluded nesting areas that can protect against the harsh winter temperatures. Squirrels and raccoons will shred your insulation to create their nests, often soiling it in the process with urine and feces. Raccoons will dig latrines for their droppings, but squirrels will just go wherever, and the smell of their droppings can attract more squirrels to the attic. Raccoons in your attic can also tear through your HVAC ducts, and squirrels will gnaw on everything in sight, including the rubber covering around wires which can pose a fire risk. Squirrels also create a fire risk by bringing in outside nesting material, and birds nesting in your attic will do the same. Bats will roost from your rafters or gable vents, depositing large amounts of guano into your insulation over time. Bat guano contains the spores that cause the fungal lung infection histoplasmosis, and these spores can get stirred up in the air when the guano is removed, so always leave guano cleanup to the professionals. The best way to prevent animals from getting inside your attic in the fall is to carefully inspect your attic, and make sure all entry points are sealed and fortified to prevent anything from getting inside.

Dangers of Wildlife in your Chimney

Your chimney also provides a good nesting place for raccoons, squirrels, bats, and birds. Similar to the attic space, your chimney provides a safe, warm, secluded place where these critters can hide from the cold. However, your chimney often provides direct access to your home, and these critters often carry diseases and parasites that they can transmit to you and your pets, including rabies, histoplasmosis, tularemia, leptospirosis, raccoon roundworm, fleas, ticks, bat bugs, and bird mites. Additionally, the nesting material that squirrels and birds bring into your attic can create a potential fire hazard, especially when the chimney is in use.

Rodent Activity in Fall: What Homeowners Need to Know

As the temperatures cool down in the fall, mice and rats will also be looking to invade your home in search of warmth and food. Make sure that you keep food in your pantry stored in sealed, airtight containers, as mice and rats will tear through soft plastic to eat your prepackaged food. Make sure you clean up crumbs or spills as soon as they happen, as these can also attract rodents, who will run across your food preparation services, leaving behind urine and droppings and spreading diseases like salmonella and hantavirus. When rats and mice get into your attic, they will chew through the rubber covering around wires, which can cause a house fire. Mice will also tunnel through your insulation, severely reducing its ability to resist heat. Mice and rats breed extremely quickly, and an infestation can get out of hand fast. As soon as you notice signs of rodents in your home, contact the rodent control experts at Westchester Wildlife. We can get your rodent infestation under control and provide you with seal-outs to ensure they don’t come back.

Inspecting and Sealing Entry Points

The best way to prevent raccoons, squirrels, birds, bats, mice, and rats from getting inside your home during the fall is to have a licensed wildlife removal company like Westchester Wildlife carefully inspect your home for potential entry points, then seal and fortify them. Squirrels and raccoons will search for tiny cracks and gaps inside your roof, soffit, fascia, or rake board, and then widen these holes with their claws and teeth to gain entry to the attic. Bats can enter through similar gaps, and bats can also enter through gable vents in your attic that aren’t properly sealed. Sealing off your chimney with a chimney cap will allow it to function as normal, but will also keep critters out. Entry points for rodents can be anywhere, so make sure your doors and windows are sealed and equipped with screens, and look for smaller places like where utility lines enter the home. Call Westchester Wildlife to get started with exclusion work for your home this fall at (914) 760-5713!

Fall Yard Cleanup to Deter Wildlife

Habitat modification in your yard can also prevent critters from setting up shop in your home. Bat houses are small structures that provide a roosting place for bats other than your attic, and these structures can be easily placed on trees in your yard, attracting bats that might otherwise become a nuisance. Fall is the season of falling leaves, but letting these leaves accumulate in large piles on your lawn provides easy cover for lawn-killing pests like moles and voles, rodents like mice and rats, and predators like snakes. Make sure that leaves are regularly raked, bushes and overgrown plants are trimmed regularly, and the grass is cut short. Keeping your lawn tidy will make critters feel exposed and unsafe in your yard, keeping them from causing any damage to your property.

The Benefits of Wildlife-Proofing Your Home for Fall

As the falling leaves and cooler temperatures of autumn arrive, it’s important to make sure that you are taking measures to keep the wildlife out of your home. Critters like raccoons, squirrels, bats, birds, rats, mice, and more will break their way into your home through your attic, chimney, or crawl space, cause extensive damage to your roof, insulation, or property, spread diseases and parasites, and even create potential fire risks. The best way to keep animals out of your home is to make sure all potential entry points are sealed and fortified. That’s where Westchester Wildlife comes in. Our team can carefully inspect all areas of the property, locate potential entry points, and then perform exclusion work, ensuring that they can’t come back. We also offer wildlife trapping and removal services in Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, and Fairfield. Contact our team to get started with a FREE estimate at (800) 273-6673.

The Importance of Bat Exclusion

Do you have bats inside your attic in Westchester, NY? Bats are known to spread diseases like rabies, and they will soil your insulation with massive piles of guano, which can spread the respiratory disease histoplasmosis. Bats shouldn’t be living in your attic, but removing them can be tricky. While raccoons and squirrels can be easily trapped and removed at any time of the year, bats are a different story. Bats are federally protected animals that must be handled carefully and only removed under certain conditions. That’s why Jim Driesacker, owner of Westchester Wildlife, invented the Batcone and Pro-Cone, which are exclusionary one-way devices that allow bats to leave your attic but not re-enter. If you need bat removal and exclusion in the Westchester, NY area, contact the bat experts at Westchester Wildlife today at (800) 273-6673!

Why Are Bats Federally Protected?

Bats are federally protected because of their ecological importance and endangered status. Bats are the original pest control technicians, as recent studies estimate that bats eat enough insect pests to save more than $3 BILLION dollars per year in pesticide costs and crop damage for American farmers. Bats can significantly reduce the population of harmful insects like mosquitoes in your yard. Bats are also expert pollinators and seed dispersers, and their continued presence is crucial to the growth of peaches, agave, bananas, and many other fruits. Unfortunately, bat populations are declining due to the presence of white-nose syndrome, which is a fungal disease that can easily spread through bat and human activity, killing off entire colonies of bats in the process. Because of this, bats are federally protected and must be handled with care. Unfortunately, conflict between humans and bats may arise when bats make their way inside your attic.

Bats in the Attic Damage

Your attic provides the perfect place for bats to roost, as it is dark, warm, and safe from predators and the elements. While bats in your attic can keep your pest population down by feeding in your yard at night, these animals can also spread several serious diseases and damage your insulation. Bats are known carriers of rabies, and if a bat gets inside the living areas of your home, it is crucial to capture the animal and test it for the rabies virus. Any skin-to-skin exposure with a bat must be treated as a potential rabies exposure. Bats will hang upside down in your attic and drop massive piles of guano, or bat droppings, inside your insulation. Bat guano not only soils the insulation and damages its ability to regulate heat, but it also contains the spores that cause the fungal lung infection histoplasmosis.

Batcone and Pro-Cone

The Batcone and Pro-Cone are one-way devices that allow bats to leave the attic, but do not provide a surface that the bats can land on and climb up, which prevents them from getting back inside the attic. Jim Driesacker, owner of Westchester Wildlife, invented the Batcone and Pro-cone after working in the wildlife removal industry in the rural and suburban areas of New York and Connecticut. Bat infestations were common, and an exclusion device was needed to assist in the increasing demands of bat removal services from both residential and commercial structures. Batcone and Pro-cone products are endorsed by the Organization for Bat Conservation and Bat Conservation International. Batcones and Pro-cones are crucial for bat exclusion as they allow the bat to leave on its own terms and find a new nest that’s not in your attic, which helps keep the bat population in Westchester healthy and thriving. If you need bat removal and exclusion, trust the bat experts at Westchester Wildlife.  

Best Bat Removal Service in Westchester, NY

Bats are a federally protected animal that is very beneficial for the environment, as they eat thousands of insect pests per night, protect crops from pests, pollinate for crucial plants, and disperse fruit seeds. Bats must be handled with care, and the best way to deal with a bat infestation in your attic is to contact the bat experts at Westchester Wildlife for safe, humane bat removal and exclusion services. We will utilize the Batcone and Pro-cone products to safely exclude bats, then after the entire population is gone, we can seal off the property, ensuring that bats stay outside where they belong. If you need bat removal services in Westchester County, contact our team today to get started with a FREE estimate at (800) 273-6673!

How Do Squirrels Prepare For Winter?

Labor Day has come and passed, and summer will soon be on its way out. As we get ready for the holidays and the colder weather of fall and winter, you might notice squirrels are more commonly out and about, scurrying across treetops and scavenging for food. Squirrels spend most of the summer and especially fall building up large storages of food that can satisfy them through the winter. Squirrels will also eat as much as possible, packing on fat stores that can keep them warm and sustain them when food is low.  Additionally, squirrels will begin building nests inside trees or attic spaces to provide shelter for them and their young during the colder months.

If you have squirrels causing damage on your property, don’t panic. Squirrel populations can be easily handled through habitat modification and a good trapping and exclusion program. Westchester Wildlife can help, we offer the best squirrel trapping, removal, and exclusion services in Westchester County. Don’t get stuck with squirrel roommates this winter, contact our team to get started today with a FREE estimate at (914) 760-5713!

What Do Squirrels Eat?

During the fall, squirrels will be constantly on the move, searching for food they can consume to pack on the pounds or to store in a cache for the winter. Squirrels are major omnivores, and will eat pretty much anything that they can get their paws on. The main staples of the squirrel’s diet are nuts, seeds, and fruits, which they will scavenge for from trees, gardens, and birdfeeders. You might find squirrels feeding on plant roots and mushrooms. Squirrels also enjoy human foods that are high in fat or sugar, like cheese or cereal. If you have pet food that you are leaving out overnight, squirrels will raid these bowls for the food inside. Squirrels will also go after unprotected bird eggs, as well as some insects, grubs, worms, and small lizards.

Squirrel Hoarding

While squirrels will eat pretty much anything edible, they prioritize nuts and seeds above all else, as these can be stored inside their food caches for later use. Nuts and seeds can be eaten during the cold, dead, winter months,  when food like plant roots, bird eggs, and insects are scarce. Squirrels store their food in caches, either in a scatter system or a larder system. Scatter systems involve squirrels digging numerous shallow pits, with a few nuts or seeds placed in each, and then over the winter months, digging them back up and eating them. Larder systems involve squirrels storing massive amounts of nuts and seeds in one location, like a tree cavity. If a squirrel has gotten comfortable enough in your attic, they might store these larder caches inside your attic space or even your wall voids. Discovering a large amount of nuts and seeds stored somewhere in your home is a surefire sign that squirrels are nesting on your property.

Where Do Squirrels Take Shelter for the Winter?

Squirrels stay active throughout the winter, continuing to dig up their food caches from the fall and search for any scarce food that they can find. However, during especially cold or snowy days, squirrels will stay inside their nests, sleeping and lowering their metabolism to conserve heat and energy. There are two main types of squirrel nests: dreys and cavity nests. Squirrel dreys are the large, scraggly clumps of dead leaves and twigs that you will see high up in large trees. Dreys are usually about 20 feet up, preferably in a tree that bears nuts, and located at the fork of two strong branches. While they look sharp and uncomfortable on the outside, the inside is usually made of soft moss or pine needles. Cavity nests are built inside a hollow tree or attic space, lined with leaves, moss, pine needles, straw, and more. Cavity nests provide squirrels with greater protection from harsh weather, heavy precipitation, and predators. Your home’s attic space provides the perfect spot for cavity nests, as the heat from your home and your soft, fluffy attic insulation provide them with a comfortable place to raise their young.

Habitat Modification for Squirrels

Squirrels can be a major nuisance when they decide to settle down on your property for the winter. Squirrels will gnaw and scratch at any cracks or gaps they can find in your roof, soffit, fascia board or rake board, and once they get inside your attic, they will rip up and soil your insulation. If you are starting to see a suspicious amount of squirrels on your property and you want to deter them from sticking around, then removing things from your yard that attract squirrels is a great start. Removing bird feeders, securing outdoor trash cans, taking in all pet food at night, and regularly removing nuts, seeds, and fruit that fall in your yard will help eliminate common food sources for squirrels. Having a licensed wildlife removal company like Westchester Wildlife come and inspect your home carefully for any entry points and then sealing these entry points can keep squirrels out.

Squirrel Trapping and Removal Services

If squirrels have decided to pick your attic space as their winter home, contact the experts at Westchester Wildlife for the best squirrel trapping and removal services in Westchester County, NY. As the cooler weather of fall begins to set in, squirrels will feast on any food they can find to pack on fat, and they will start storing nuts and seeds around their territory in caches to revisit later, when food is scarce. Squirrels will nest inside tree branches, tree cavities, or, most preferably, your attic space, where they will rip up and soil your insulation. Squirrels are rodents, meaning they have prominent front teeth that never stop growing. In order to keep the length of their teeth manageable, they will gnaw on anything they can find. In your attic space, that can include wooden beams and the rubber covering around wires, which can react with the insulation and any outside nesting material and cause a house fire.

If you have squirrels inside your home, don’t panic. Our team of licensed wildlife control operators can safely trap and remove all the squirrels that have gotten inside your home. Afterward, we will repair the damage they created while getting inside, sealing off their entry points and preventing them from returning. Contact Westchester Wildlife today to get started with a FREE estimate at (914) 760-5713!

How To Get Rid of Chipmunks

Chipmunks are a very common nuisance wildlife in the Westchester, NY area. Chipmunks are small, reddish brown rodents with black and white vertical stripes on their backs. Chipmunks can be roughly 8-10 inches long, and weigh between 2 to 5 ounces. Chipmunks are known for wreaking havoc inside yards and gardens, as they eat flower bulbs and the roots, seeds, and seedlings of your vegetables. Chipmunks are also proficient diggers, and they will cause structural damage by digging underneath patios, porches, retaining walls, or even your home’s foundation.   

Don’t worry, Westchester Wildlife can help. Our team of wildlife control operators can trap and remove chipmunk populations from your home, and we can also provide you with exclusions and seal outs to keep these pesky rodents from coming back. If you need chipmunk removal services, contact the experts at Westchester Wildlife today to get started at (914) 760-5713! 

Chipmunk Garden Damage

Chipmunks are omnivores that feed on seeds, nuts, berries, mushrooms, insects, worms, snails, bird eggs, frogs, fruits, and flowers. Whether you are growing flowers or vegetables, no garden is safe from the damage that chipmunks will inflict on it. Chipmunks will feast on the bulbs of flowers, and they will also happily eat roots, seeds, and seedlings of all your garden plants, which can disrupt their growth and lead to the death of the plant. If you are growing plants that bear fruits or nuts, chipmunks will steal and devour them. A group of chipmunks can decimate your garden seemingly overnight. Putting repellents on your plants might help, but never put repellents on plants made for human consumption.

The best way to deal with a chipmunk damaging your garden is to contact Westchester Wildlife for chipmunk trapping and removal services at (914) 760-5713! 

Chipmunk Burrow Damage

Garden plants aren’t the only thing at risk from chipmunks. Chipmunks excavate large burrows that can be 30 feet long and 3 feet deep. Chipmunk burrows have separate chambers for sleeping and storage of nuts and seeds, and the entrance holes to these burrows are around 2 inches in diameter. Chipmunks will dig their burrows underneath crucial structures on your property like patios, porch stairs and retaining walls, which can undermine the structural integrity and pose a major safety hazard. Chipmunk burrows can lead to these structures sinking into the ground, and they can also lead to people tripping in your yard.

Chipmunks can even dig burrows underneath your home’s foundation, which can lead to the foundation cracking and settling, which can lead to water infiltration, leaks, and other problems inside the home.  

Diseases Spread by Chipmunks

Chipmunks carry several diseases including

• hantavirus 
• Plague
• leptospirosis 
• salmonella 

Chipmunks can also carry parasites like ticks and fleas, which spread their own diseases like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. 

Chipmunk Exclusion and Habitat Modification

Chipmunk exclusion can help prevent these rodents from getting inside your garden or underneath your porch, patio, or foundation. Westchester Wildlife can provide you with mesh wildlife barriers/wildlife fencing around the perimeter of your garden, buried deep in the ground to prevent chipmunks from burrowing underneath it. Our team will also provide you with wildlife barriers around your patio, foundation, and porch to prevent chipmunk burrows from causing structural damage to your home. 

Habitat modification can also help prevent chipmunk issues. Remove wood piles, rock piles, and any debris from your foundation, as these provide chipmunks with cover from predators. Plants, tall grass, shrubs, and weeds around the perimeter of your foundation also make chipmunks feel safer in this area of your yard, and removing them will make them move on fairly quickly. 

Chipmunk Trapping and Removal Near Me

Another way to deal with chipmunks on your property is to have them trapped and removed by licensed wildlife control operators like Westchester Wildlife. We have been dealing with chipmunks in the Westchester area for years, and we know their patterns and their behavior well. We can quickly and safely trap these troublesome rodents, and then remove them from your property, providing you with peace of mind. Chipmunks themselves are food for other nuisance wildlife like snakes, so removing chipmunks can help deter their predators too. If you need chipmunk trapping and removal services in the Westchester, NY area, contact the wildlife removal experts at Westchester Wildlife today at (914) 760-5713!

How To Identify Raccoon Infestations In Your Home

Do you have raccoons causing issues on your property? Raccoons will knock over and raid your trash cans, rip up your lawn, tear off roof shingles, get inside attics, and soil your insulation. Removing raccoons as soon as possible is imperative to limit the damage they can do to your property. Still, the first step of that is making sure it IS raccoons causing these issues and not another nuisance wildlife. Identifying the animal inside your attic or garage is crucial for safe and effective removal, so if you aren’t sure what critter has invaded your home, this blog can be your guide.  

Physical Signs of Raccoons

Raccoons are not graceful, and they will leave a path of destruction behind when they make their way inside your home. Raccoons love to nest inside attics, and they have no problem tearing through your soffit, eaves, and roof shingles to get inside. Squirrels and raccoons both claw and gnaw at tiny holes in your roof until they are wide enough to fit through, but a raccoon hole will be much larger than a squirrel hole.
Raccoons are known for tipping over trash cans to feast on the garbage and food scraps left inside. If you go out to your garage or front yard and see the cans tipped over and garbage strewn about, this is a clear sign that you’ve been raided by a raccoon. Raccoons dig “latrines” which are communal defecating sites. When they dig latrines inside your attic insulation, you will be able to smell their pungent odor coming from inside your attic, which is another indicator of raccoons. However, these critters will also dig their latrines at the base of trees and underneath decks and porches. Raccoon feces are dark, tubular, and about 2-3 inches long.  You can also identify raccoons by their tracks, which can be left in mud, dust, or after they step through water. Their front paws resemble small human hands with long claws, and their back paws are a similar shape, but with an elongated heel. 

Raccoon Sounds

One of the easiest ways to identify a raccoon infestation inside your attic is to listen for the sounds they make. Birds and bats will make flapping and chirping sounds, while squirrels may make scampering or scratching sounds. Raccoons will loudly shuffle throughout your attic, creating loud stomping sounds that you might even mistake for human footsteps. Raccoons will also make scratching sounds, as well as ripping sounds as they rip up your attic insulation, and you might hear them knock over your trash can and throw the contents around. 

Raccoons also have a wide arsenal of vocal sounds. You might hear raccoons inside your attic chittering, growling, screaming, hissing, snarling, whimpering, or even purring. Raccoons can become aggressive when confronted, and they often carry rabies, so leave raccoon removal to the professionals.

Raccoon Removal in Westchester County

If you have identified a raccoon inside your garage, attic, or crawl space, don’t panic! Getting raccoons off your property can be quick and easy if you know who to call.  Attempting to remove raccoons yourself isn’t a good idea, as these animals will often become extremely hostile, lashing out with their sharp teeth and claws, and they can also spread rabies through their bites. Raccoons also hide their babies deep within your attic insulation, and if you don’t find and remove all of them, the mother raccoon will rip the shingles off your roof to get back inside and retrieve her baby. 

Local animal control also will not come remove raccoons that have set up shop in your attic, as they only handle domestic animals like cats and dogs, or wildlife that has gotten onto public property, like a road or park. A licensed wildlife removal company like Westchester Wildlife is your best bet for raccoon removal. We can safely and humanely trap and remove any raccoon that has set up shop in your attic, crawl space, or yard, and we will ensure that we remove all the babies, preventing the mother from returning. Contact us today to get started at (914) 760-5713!

Raccoon Deterrents and Prevention

An important aspect of raccoon removal is utilizing deterrents and preventative measures to keep the raccoons from coming back. To prevent raccoons, you should tightly secure your garbage can lids, and always bring bowls of pet food inside before bed. Getting rid of bird baths and other sources of water on your property can also encourage them not to stay. 

Westchester Wildlife also offers raccoon deterrents. After removing the raccoon, we will seal and fortify all the raccoon’s entry points and any potential future entry points, preventing these critters from breaking their way inside your attic again. 

Best Raccoon Trapping Near Me

You can easily identify raccoon infestations through visual cues like knocked-over trash cans, latrines, footprints, and large entry holes, or through sounds like stomping, scratching, growling, snarling, or whimpering. Once you’ve identified a raccoon infestation, contact the experts at Westchester Wildlife for raccoon trapping and removal services. We can ensure the raccoon and all raccoon babies are safely and humanely removed from your property. Westchester Wildlife also offers seal-outs and exclusions to deter raccoons from returning. Contact us today to get started with a FREE estimate at (914) 760-5713! 

How Do Animals Keep Cool in the Summer?

Have you ever wondered where common critters like raccoons and squirrels go when it gets too hot outside? When the intense heat and humidity of summer get the best of us, we can easily go back inside our nice air-conditioned homes, but the wild animals lurking in our backyards and forests can’t say the same. So how do these critters keep their body temperatures stable while the weather gets hotter and hotter?

How Do Raccoons Stay Cool?

Raccoons, much like dogs, don’t have sweat glands anywhere except on their paw pads, so these mammals will stay cool by panting. Raccoons will often seek shelter inside man-made structures to hide from the heat, like sheds, barns, chimneys, attics, and more. Raccoons will also nest high up inside hollow trees to protect themselves from the harsh summer temperatures. Raccoons will also jump inside streams, ponds, and pools to cool off. If you have a bird bath on your property, you might see a raccoon cooling off inside it. If your yard provides ample shade and undergrowth to hide from the sun, raccoons might be taking this opportunity as well. These critters often avoid the sun altogether during the hottest months, choosing instead to sleep in their dens and only come out at dawn and dusk.

How Do Squirrels Cool Down?

During the winter, squirrels are armed with heavy, bushy coats that can withstand frigid winter air. They shed this excess fur for the summer, allowing them to cool down. Squirrels will also stay high up in trees or shaded areas, staying out of direct sunlight. Squirrels might also be spotted exhibiting a behavior known as “splooting”, where they find cool surfaces such as concrete or dirt and lay down flat on their stomachs, with their legs spread out. This process transfers heat away from their bodies, and many squirrels have been spotted doing this in parks and on roofs across the country.

Where Do Snakes Go?

Snakes are cold-blooded reptiles, which means they cannot survive in extreme heat for long. Snakes can only stay in the heat for a few minutes at a time, so when the harsh temperatures of summer take over, snakes will begin searching for cover. Snakes will spend time in tall grass, underneath rocks, underneath decks and porches, and within caves. Shady trees also provide a perfect spot for snakes to cool down. Snakes will also seek shelter inside your home, often curling up inside attics, crawl spaces, and even basements.

Where Do Birds Cool Off?

Birds, much like most animals, cannot sweat and instead will cool themselves off by submerging their bodies in the water, afterward opening their wingspans and letting the wind cool them off even further. If you have a bird bath on your property, you might see birds fluttering and submerging themselves inside the water to keep cool. Additionally, birds will also forage for food at dawn and dusk, and stay hiding in the shade throughout the rest of the day.

How Do Skunks and Groundhogs Beat the Heat?

Skunks and groundhogs possess a unique advantage among wildlife in Westchester, as these critters can dig underneath the ground into the cool soil to escape the heat. Skunks and groundhogs will often dig underneath structures on your property like porches, sheds, decks, and even your home’s foundation itself. Skunks and groundhogs might also dig into your crawl space to escape the heat, which can become even more appealing to them if there is a source of groundwater inside for them to cool off in. 

Groundhogs have also been spotted exhibiting the same “splooting” behavior as squirrels, which makes sense when you realize that groundhogs are part of the squirrel family, and are classified as ground squirrels!  

Wildlife Removal in Westchester County

When the heat rises, critters like raccoons, squirrels, snakes, birds, skunks, groundhogs, and more may seek shelter within your home. These animals can end up inside your attic, crawl space, basement, shed, garage, or underneath your porch or deck. Wildlife seeking shelter on your property can cause plenty of expensive damage, from ripping and soiling attic insulation to creating structural instability underneath your home foundation. Westchester Wildlife can help, we offer the best wildlife trapping and removal services in Westchester County. Contact us today to get started with a FREE estimate at (800) 273-6673!

Understanding the Behavior and Habitat of Foxes in Suburban Areas

Foxes have become increasingly common in suburban areas, adapting to environments where natural habitats intersect with human developments. These intelligent and adaptable creatures are often seen in yards, parks, and even city streets, searching for food and shelter. Understanding the behavior and habitat of foxes is crucial for managing their presence effectively. By learning more about their habits, residents can take informed steps to coexist peacefully with these animals or implement appropriate removal and deterrent strategies. This blog will explore various aspects of fox behavior, habitats, and practical methods for managing their presence in suburban settings.  

Fox Behavior in Suburban Areas

Foxes are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. This nocturnal behavior helps them avoid human interaction and reduces competition for food with other predators. You might spot them during dawn or dusk when they venture out to hunt and explore. Foxes are highly adaptable and have successfully integrated into urban and suburban settings. They utilize parks, gardens, and even alleyways for shelter and hunting grounds. Their ability to thrive in these environments is a testament to their resourcefulness and intelligence. In suburban areas, foxes maintain a varied diet, including small mammals, birds, insects, and even fruits and vegetables. They are opportunistic feeders and will scavenge from garbage bins or pet food left outside. Unfortunately, foxes will also prey on pets like house cats and small dogs. Understanding these aspects of fox behavior helps residents recognize and manage their presence effectively, ensuring a safer and more harmonious coexistence.

Common Fox Habitats in Suburban Areas

Foxes prefer to nest and den in secluded areas that provide safety and easy access to food. In suburban settings, they often choose locations such as dense shrubbery, under decks, and sheds, or even abandoned burrows created by other animals. It is common for foxes to dig their dens underneath porches and near your home’s foundation as well. Interaction with human-made structures is common, as foxes find these areas provide ample cover and protection. Seasonal changes significantly impact their habitat use; during warmer months, they may be more mobile, while in colder seasons, they seek out more sheltered, permanent dens to protect themselves and their young from harsh weather conditions.

Signs of Fox Presence

Identifying fox tracks and droppings is a key method of detecting their presence. Fox tracks are typically small and oval-shaped with distinct claw marks, often confused with small dog tracks. Their droppings, or scat, are usually dark, cylindrical, and tapered at one end, often containing fur, bones, or seeds from their varied diet. Visual and auditory signals are also common indicators. Foxes have a distinctive, high-pitched bark, often heard during night and early morning hours. Sightings of foxes are more likely during dawn and dusk, known as crepuscular activity periods. Recognizing den sites is another important aspect. Foxes prefer secluded, quiet areas such as under sheds, decks, porches or dense shrubbery, where they can safely raise their young. These dens are typically well-hidden and may have multiple entrances for easy escape. Observing these signs can help residents manage and mitigate fox presence in suburban areas.

Fox Removal and Trapping

Effective fox removal and trapping require humane and strategic methods to ensure the safety of both the animals and the residents. Humane trapping methods often involve using baited live traps that capture foxes without causing harm, allowing for their safe relocation. Legal considerations and best practices are crucial in fox removal. It’s important to follow local wildlife regulations and guidelines to ensure ethical and legal compliance. This includes obtaining necessary permits and understanding local wildlife protection laws. The importance of professional removal services cannot be overstated. Professionals are trained to handle foxes safely and humanely, minimizing risks to both the animals and the property. They also provide valuable advice on preventing future intrusions. For effective and humane fox removal, trust the experts at Westchester Wildlife. Our experienced team is equipped to handle fox removal and trapping with the utmost care and professionalism. Contact us today for a consultation and ensure a safe and humane solution to your fox problem.

Fox Deterrents and Prevention

Effective deterrent methods are essential for keeping foxes at bay. Installing secure fencing around your property can prevent foxes from entering. Using repellents, such as commercial fox repellents or natural options like citrus peels, can also deter these animals. For professional advice and installation of deterrents, contact Westchester Wildlife for expert solutions tailored to your needs. Securing food sources and attractants is another key step. Ensure that garbage bins are tightly sealed, and do not leave pet food or bird feeders accessible overnight. Landscaping tips can also help discourage foxes. Foxes feel more comfortable in tall grass and dense shrubbery, so keeping your lawn cut short will make them feel exposed, therefore deterring them. Maintaining a tidy yard, removing dense shrubbery, and using motion-activated lights or sprinklers can make your property less appealing to foxes. By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage and prevent fox presence around your home.

Best Fox Removal Service in Westchester, NY

Foxes are adaptable, nocturnal creatures that thrive in suburban areas, often creating dens in secluded spots and scavenging for food. Effective management involves humane trapping, securing food sources, and making your property less appealing through landscaping and deterrents. For those dealing with fox presence, seeking professional help ensures safe and effective removal. Westchester Wildlife provides expert fox removal and trapping services tailored to your needs. Contact us today to get started at (800) 273-6673.