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August 25, 2026
Wildlife doesn't enter your home by accident. Raccoons, squirrels, and other animals are looking for four basic things: food, water, shelter, and safe space. USDA APHIS Wildlife Services identifies these resources as key factors that influence wildlife activity around homes.
When you remove these attractants and block access to your property, you make your home far less appealing to wild animals. This guide explains what attracts wildlife, the most effective ways to keep it away, how to block common entry points, and when you need professional care because wildlife protection laws may apply.
Animal exclusion and prevention work together: exclusion blocks access, while prevention removes the reasons wildlife returns.
According to USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, exclusion (physically blocking wildlife from entering a structure) is one of the most effective long-term prevention methods.
That is why effective wildlife prevention focuses on two things at the same time:
For wildlife prevention, inspect your roofline, soffits, attic vents, chimney, foundation, crawl space, and openings around pipes or utility lines. Repair damaged screens and use durable materials such as metal mesh or flashing where wildlife chew through weaker repairs.
Do not seal an active opening until you have confirmed that the animal and any dependent young are outside.
Use tightly closed trash containers and avoid leaving pet food outside overnight. Clean up spilled birdseed and remove fallen fruit from the ground. These changes eliminate easy food sources that can attract raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and other wildlife.
Check around the property for leaking faucets, containers that collect rainwater, and other unnecessary water sources to prevent wildlife from accessing them. Fix leaks and empty containers regularly. If you have a permanent pond or water feature, focus on removing nearby food and shelter opportunities.
Use fencing, wire mesh, netting, chimney caps, and vent covers to restrict access to areas wildlife commonly enters. A properly installed physical barrier provides a more lasting solution than repeatedly trying to scare an animal away.
Cutting back branches that reach your roof, attic vents, or other potential entry points prevents wildlife entry. This is particularly important for squirrels, which can use branches to reach roofs and gain access to attics.
Clear brush piles, fallen branches, unused lumber, and other debris from around your home. Check beneath decks, porches, sheds, and similar structures for sheltered spaces that could become nesting or denning sites.
Use fencing, netting, or protective covers around plants that wildlife regularly damages. Pick up fallen fruit promptly and protect young or vulnerable plants before animals establish a regular feeding pattern.
Motion-activated sprinklers and lights can discourage wildlife from repeatedly visiting specific areas, such as gardens or garbage zones. Use them as a secondary prevention measure, not as a substitute for sealing entry points or removing food sources.
Repellents make certain areas less attractive, but their effectiveness varies by species and situation. Follow the product label and avoid relying on repellents when a structural opening is allowing wildlife inside. EPA recommends using pesticide products according to their labeled directions to reduce risks to people, pets, and non-target wildlife.
Wildlife removal techniques should be chosen based on the species, location, and applicable regulations rather than simply trapping or sealing an animal inside.
The most reliable approach is to combine exclusion with attractant management in prevention: keep wildlife from getting inside while making your property less rewarding to visit in the first place.
Wildlife prevention is not always as simple as sealing an opening or setting a trap. Wildlife laws vary by state, and some animals have specific protections. Before taking action, check your state wildlife agency's current rules or contact a licensed wildlife professional.
Many states restrict bat exclusion during the maternity season, which generally occurs from mid-spring through mid-summer. During this period, young bats are unable to fly. If adults are excluded while pups remain inside, the young can die in the structure. Exact dates vary by state. For example, Florida's maternity season runs from April 16 through August 14. Check with your state fish and wildlife agency before using a one-way exclusion device.
Many states restrict or prohibit homeowners from trapping and relocating certain wild animals. Even where relocation is allowed, it does not solve the problem because animals struggle to survive in unfamiliar areas or attempt to return. Some states also require nuisance wildlife to be handled by a licensed wildlife professional.
The CDC identifies bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes as important wildlife reservoirs for rabies in the United States. Never approach, touch, or try to trap an unfamiliar wild animal, particularly one that appears disoriented, unusually tame, aggressive, or active at an unusual time of day. These behaviors indicate illness rather than tameness.
If a person or pet is bitten or scratched by a wild mammal, do not wait for symptoms to develop. Contact a healthcare provider and the appropriate local animal-control or public-health authority promptly so the exposure can be properly assessed.
When the species is unclear, an animal is still inside the structure, or local regulations make DIY removal uncertain, a professional wildlife specialist can help identify the animal, determine the appropriate exclusion method, and make sure the work follows applicable wildlife rules. This is particularly important for bats, occupied nests or dens, and animals that pose a health or safety risk.
Before removing, trapping, or excluding wildlife, always check your state and local requirements and consider professional guidance when the situation is unclear.
DIY prevention works well for simple tasks such as securing trash, removing food sources, or fixing a minor exterior gap. Professional help is more appropriate when:
USDA Wildlife Services and state wildlife agencies provide guidance on wildlife regulations and, where available, help homeowners find licensed wildlife-control operators.
For homeowners dealing with both wildlife and pest concerns, SkeeterCide can also be a relevant local resource when professional guidance is needed. The priority should always be identifying the animal and addressing the reason it entered before sealing or removing anything.
What is the best way to prevent wildlife from entering a home?
The best approach is to block wildlife from getting inside in the first place. Check for gaps around the roof, attic, vents, chimney, foundation, and crawl space, then seal them with durable materials. Before sealing an opening, make sure no animal or young is still inside. Also remove food, water, and shelter that could attract wildlife back.
How do I keep wildlife out of my yard?
Keep garbage and outdoor food secured, remove standing water, clear brush and debris, and keep vegetation maintained. Use fencing or netting to protect gardens and other areas that wildlife frequently visits.
What attracts wild animals to residential properties?
Wild animals are mainly attracted by food, water, shelter, and easy access. Common attractants include open garbage, pet food, birdseed, fallen fruit, standing water, brush piles, and openings that lead to attics, crawl spaces, or sheds.
Do wildlife repellents work?
Wildlife repellents can help in some situations, but their effectiveness depends on the animal and the conditions. They work best when combined with other prevention methods. A repellent will not solve the problem if an animal still has easy access to food or an open entry point.
How do I stop animals from getting into my attic?
Start by checking the roofline, soffits, fascia, attic vents, chimney, and nearby tree branches for possible entry routes. Trim branches that provide access and repair or reinforce damaged openings. Do not seal an opening until you know the attic is clear of wildlife and dependent young.
How often should I inspect my home for wildlife entry points?
Check your home at least twice a year and after storms, tree damage, roof repairs, or other work that could create new gaps. Regular inspections help you find small openings before wildlife has a chance to use them.
Effective wildlife prevention is less about finding a powerful animal repellent and more about removing the reasons wildlife wants to stay. Secure food and garbage, reduce unnecessary shelter and water, maintain vegetation, and, most importantly, keep buildings physically inaccessible.
If an animal has already entered, prevention should begin with identification and safe exclusion rather than simply sealing the first hole you find. That approach protects the structure, reduces repeat infestations, and avoids trapping animals inside. For bats, raccoons, occupied nests, or situations involving potential exposure, professional assistance is often the safest option.
