WASHINGTON—As spring approaches and homeowners begin their seasonal cleaning, wildlife is preparing for the arrival of their young. This is a busy time of year for wild animals like raccoons and squirrels, as they mate and seek places to den and nest.
Wild animals who live in our neighborhoods do not discriminate between human-provided denning and nesting opportunities and what we would consider more natural sites, like a tree or ground burrow. At this point of the year, depending on where you live, wild animals may have already taken up residence in or around your home if they have found an accessible entry point. If you do discover wildlife nearby, there are important humane approaches to consider.
“Throughout the late winter and spring, wild animal moms are seeking a suitable place to den and raise their young. Their search may include your home," says John Griffin, senior managing director of urban wildlife for Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. “Uncapped chimneys, attics and void spaces accessed through unprotected vents and roof lines are attractive places for raising young. In many cases, the best solution for both homeowners and wildlife may be to simply wait it out, as the animals will vacate when they are ready. If that isn’t an option, there are easy ways to encourage animals to leave on their own.”
The critical consideration when addressing wild animals denning and nesting in homes is verifying whether there are young animals present so the appropriate course of action can be taken without making the problem worse. It is key to put a long-term solution in place by wildlife- proofing entry points once the animals are gone.
Humane World for Animals offers innovative and effective tips:
Raccoons typically mate once a year in late winter to early spring. They use a wide range of natural and constructed den and shelter sites that may include unprotected attics and crawlspaces. If you suspect raccoons are inside, follow these humane and effective steps:
- Determine if there are raccoons. Listen for thumping, rustling or vocal sounds in the attic or walls, and look for activity near rooflines, vents or crawl spaces that may indicate a den site.
- Wait it out when possible. In many cases, the most humane and effective solution is to allow the mother to raise her kits and move them naturally. Young raccoons typically leave the den with their mother at around 10 weeks of age.
- Confirm that the animals have vacated. Loosely block possible entry points with wadded paper and leave in place for two to three days. If the paper goes undisturbed, and the weather has not been severe, the entry point is likely no longer in use.
- Seal entry points to prevent future access. Once you are certain no animals remain inside, permanently seal openings using 16-gauge wire mesh or metal flashing to keep wildlife from moving back in. If the paper is disturbed, do not seal the opening, as an animal is still using the space.
If waiting for raccoons to leave on their own is not an option, you can encourage the mother to move her young on her own by creating an effective multi-sensory deterrent approach.
Just before dusk, turn on all lights in the attic or place flashlights around the space.
Place a loud radio and a bowl of cider vinegar in or around the attic.
Give the mother raccoons a few days to move her kits.
- After a few days, ensure that raccoons have left.
Squirrels can mate twice a year: during the winter cycle (December through February) and during the summer cycle (May through July). They are adept at locating denning and nesting sites that meet their needs, which can occasionally bring them into the voids and attics of homes. Usually, squirrels living inside your attic are nesting adult females. They often build their nests near openings, such as an unscreened vent or loose or rotten trim boards. Here is what to do if there are squirrels in your home:
- Find the point of entry. Thoroughly inspect the inside of the attic to find the opening(s). If there is no way into the attic, inspect the exterior eaves, vents and roof line (where the roof sheathing meets the fascia or trim board.
- Find out if it is a mother squirrel with young. Try to locate her nest, likely made of insulation, cardboard and leaves. If it is February through October, it is likely that babies could be present. In that case, the best thing to do is wait a few weeks until the babies grow old enough to leave with their mother. They won't survive without her. Don’t try to trap and relocate the family yourself.
- Get them out. If you cannot wait until the mother and babies leave on their own, hire a professional who knows how to keep dependent young with their mother. If a mother believes her young are still inside, she will likely go to great lengths to return to them. If you find the nest and there are no baby squirrels, you can try to frighten the adult squirrels into leaving. It might be as easy as banging the rafters or going into the attic and speaking loudly. You can also try putting a bright light in the attic and leaving it on, playing a radio around the clock or putting rags soaked with cider vinegar in the attic, as squirrels do not like the smell.
Spring is a common time for homeowners to check their homes, clean gutters, trim limbs and tackle other exterior projects. While some wildlife may have already begun using gaps or openings, this season is still a good opportunity to inspect your property and address potential entry points. When doing so, consider that animals may already be present, and take humane precautions if you discover any nesting wildlife.
More tips on co-existing with wildlife here.