Between raccoons, squirrels, and groundhogs, wildlife can cause considerable damage to your property and home. It’s not something homeowners initially worry about, as it’s hard to imagine that a wildlife infestation could actually happen. How much harm can one innocent-looking raccoon or squirrel do? It isn’t until you actually experience a wildlife infestation for yourself that you begin to realize how greatly you've underestimated these creatures.

Raccoons are a big threat for homeowners in New York and are known for the destruction they can cause, particularly to outdoor areas. In their persistent search for food and shelter, they are likely to tip over trash cans and rip open garbage bags, as well as get into any pet food or bird seed left out. It’s not uncommon for them to sneakily find their way into a home or garage either. Inside they can cause damage to building materials and structural areas and have been known to nest in attics and chimneys, leaving behind urine and feces.

Squirrels, too, are a common threat to New York homes. The damage they cause is usually hidden in the structure and walls of your house. They can chew on electrical wires, which immediately makes them a fire hazard. Gray squirrels, in particular, can cause damage to insulation, building materials, and personal items in storage. 

Another likely invader in the New York area are groundhogs. They are a likely source of damage to gardens and yards, and they may tunnel and burrow under foundations and other structures on your property. They will feed on grasses, weeds, clover, fruits, crops and ornamental flowers.

How do you know if you have a wildlife problem? What do you do to take care of it? Here are the 5 major signs that you need to call in a wildlife professional:

1. Trash cans tipped over/bags ripped open

2. Holes or claw marks around homes or on entry points

3. Bird feeders being knocked over or other food sources such as gardens or composts being disrupted

4. Undetermined cause of noises in walls or attic

5. Yard and garden damage including tunnels throughout the lawn or around buildings

If you find that you have any or all of these signs, it may be time to contact a professional. At Thomas Pest Services we service Albany, the Capital District, and the Adirondack region. We offer highly trained and certified wildlife control experts to help determine the safest and most humane way to deal with wildlife intrusions. Our three-step process includes inspecting the problem and determining what needs to be done, removing the animal(s) from the home through humane methods, and repairing the damage that has been done and finding long-term prevention solutions so the problem doesn’t occur again. Do-it-yourself tricks have not been known to work and prove to be extremely dangerous. Most wildlife creatures can become aggressive when they feel threatened, putting you and your families safety at risk. It’s never a good idea to try to eliminate wildlife from your home on your own—if you think you have a problem, or would like to learn how to prevent one, feel free to call us with any wildlife questions.