Question 1

What should I do if I hear scratching in my attic?

Accepted Answer

Scratching sounds in the attic are one of the most common signs of wildlife activity. The first step is to pay attention to when you hear the sounds, nighttime thumping often points to raccoons, while daytime scurrying and chewing can indicate squirrels.Don't try to seal the opening until you know what's there, as trapped animals can cause more damage trying to get out. The best next step is to describe what you're hearing to someone who can help identify the likely cause. See our Animals in the Attic page for more on what different sounds may mean.

Question 2

How can I tell whether it's a raccoon, squirrel or rodent?

Accepted Answer

Timing is one of the most useful clues. Raccoons are active at night and tend to make heavy thumping or walking sounds. Squirrels are active during the day and make lighter scurrying and chewing sounds. Rodents can be active at any time but often make scratching sounds in walls and leave small droppings. Bats make high-pitched chirping at dusk and dawn.Our Animals in the Attic page walks through these differences in more detail.

Question 3

What if I don't know what animal is causing the problem?

Accepted Answer

You don't need to identify the animal before reaching out. In fact, trying to guess can sometimes lead to the wrong conclusion.The sounds, the timing and what you can see are all useful information, even if they don't add up to a definitive answer. Describe what you're noticing and we can help figure out what it might be. You can start with our request form, no animal identification required.

Question 4

Why am I hearing noises mostly at night?

Accepted Answer

Nocturnal wildlife, animals active at night, is common in Coastal Georgia. Raccoons, rodents and bats are all primarily active after dark. If you're hearing heavy thumping or walking at night, raccoons are a likely possibility. Lighter scratching or scurrying at night could be rodents. Bats make chirping sounds around dusk and dawn as they leave and return.The time of day is one of the most useful clues for narrowing down what might be in your home. Learn more on our Animals in the Attic page.

Question 5

Can animals get into homes through roof vents or soffits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Roof vents, gable vents and soffits are common entry points for wildlife. In Savannah's older homes, weathering and settling can create gaps in these areas that animals can exploit. Squirrels can chew through soffits and roof decking, raccoons can pull apart vents, and bats can squeeze through very small openings.A thorough inspection of the roofline is an important part of understanding how wildlife is accessing a home. See our Wildlife Exclusion & Repairs page for more on common entry points.

Question 6

What causes wildlife to enter an attic or crawl space?

Accepted Answer

Attics and crawl spaces are warm, dry and quiet, which makes them attractive to wildlife looking for shelter. In Savannah, mature trees give squirrels and raccoons easy access to rooftops. Older homes with aging construction may have gaps at the roofline, around vents, or in the foundation that animals can use.Food sources nearby, like bird feeders or unsecured garbage, can also attract wildlife closer to homes. Understanding what's drawing animals in is part of solving the problem long-term.

Question 7

What is wildlife exclusion?

Accepted Answer

Wildlife exclusion is the process of finding and sealing the entry points that animals use to access a home. It's what turns a one-time removal into a lasting solution. Without exclusion, the same opening, or a nearby one, can be used again by the same species or a different one.Exclusion may involve sealing gaps, installing vent screens, repairing soffits, and securing crawl space access points. See our Wildlife Exclusion & Repairs page for more detail.

Question 8

Is removing the animal enough?

Accepted Answer

Removal solves the immediate problem, the animal that's in or around your home. But it doesn't solve the access problem. If the entry point isn't addressed, another animal can use the same opening.That's why exclusion is a core part of the work, not an afterthought. Removing an animal without addressing how it got in often leads to the same problem recurring. Learn more on our Before You Decide page.

Question 9

How do you find where wildlife is getting in?

Accepted Answer

Finding entry points involves a thorough inspection of the structure, the roofline, soffits, vents, crawl space and foundation. In older Savannah homes, there can be multiple potential entry points.Sometimes the opening is obvious, like a torn soffit or a chewed hole. Other times it's a small gap that's easy to miss. A professional inspection can help identify all the ways wildlife may be accessing the property. See our exclusion page for common entry points.

Question 10

Can wildlife come back after removal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If the entry point isn't sealed, the same species or a different one can use the same opening. This is why exclusion work is so important.Removing an animal is only the first step, finding and sealing how it got in is what prevents the problem from happening again. Trimming branches that provide roof access can also help reduce the chance of re-entry, especially for squirrels and raccoons.

Question 11

Will entry points need to be repaired?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes. If an animal has been accessing your home through a gap or opening, that opening needs to be sealed to prevent future access. The repair may involve sealing with mesh, replacing damaged soffits or vents, or installing chimney caps.The specific repairs depend on the entry point and the species. Ask what the estimate covers, exclusion and repair work may be separate. Our costs page explains the difference.

Question 12

What is the difference between trapping and exclusion?

Accepted Answer

Trapping removes the animal that's currently in or around the home. Exclusion addresses how the animal got in and prevents future access. Trapping alone doesn't solve the access problem, another animal can use the same opening.Exclusion is what makes the solution lasting. In many cases, a combination of both is the most effective approach. See our Wildlife Removal page for an overview.

Question 13

What should I do if there is a raccoon in my attic?

Accepted Answer

If you suspect a raccoon is in your attic, the first step is to avoid sealing the opening until you're sure the animal is out, trapping a raccoon inside can cause more damage as it tries to escape. Don't attempt to handle the raccoon directly, especially if young may be present.Contact a professional to assess the situation, remove the raccoon, and identify the entry point. See our Raccoon Removal page for more.

Question 14

How are squirrels removed from homes?

Accepted Answer

Squirrel removal often involves one-way doors that let the squirrels leave but not return, or trapping if needed. The key is to let the squirrels exit and then seal the entry points, because squirrels will chew their way back in if the opening isn't properly repaired.Trimming branches that provide roof access can also help reduce the chance of re-entry. See our Squirrel Removal page for more detail.

Question 15

Can bats simply be trapped and relocated?

Accepted Answer

No. Bats are not effectively or appropriately handled through trapping and relocation. Bat work typically involves exclusion, installing one-way devices that let bats leave to feed but prevent them from re-entering. Once all bats have left, the entry points are sealed.This approach is both more effective and more appropriate for bats. See our Bat Removal & Exclusion page for more.

Question 16

Are there special rules for bat exclusion in Georgia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Georgia wildlife rules can affect how and when bat exclusion work is carried out, particularly during periods when young bats may be unable to fly. Exclusion during these periods can trap young inside, which is both harmful and counterproductive.This means bat work may need to be scheduled around seasonal considerations. See our Bat Removal & Exclusion page and our Before You Decide page for more.

Question 17

What should I do if I see a snake around my home?

Accepted Answer

If you see a snake, the first step is not to panic. Most snakes in Coastal Georgia are not aggressive and would rather avoid people. Don't attempt to handle or capture the snake if you're not certain what species it is, some snakes in the area are venomous.If the snake is in your home or you're concerned about safety, contact a professional. See our Snake Removal page for more.

Question 18

Can armadillos damage yards and landscaping?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Armadillos dig for insects and grubs, which can leave multiple cone-shaped holes throughout a lawn. They can also burrow under structures like porches, decks and sheds, which can undermine them over time.If you're noticing holes in your yard or burrowing under structures, armadillos may be the cause. See our Armadillo Removal page for more.

Question 19

How much does wildlife removal cost in Savannah?

Accepted Answer

The cost of wildlife removal varies depending on the situation. We don't quote fixed prices because every situation is different, the species, the number of animals, the access, the property and the extent of the work all affect what's involved.Instead of listing prices that may not reflect your situation, we explain the factors that shape the cost on our Wildlife Removal Costs page.

Question 20

Can you give an estimate without inspecting the property?

Accepted Answer

It's difficult to give an accurate estimate without understanding the situation. The species, the entry points, the access and the extent of the work all need to be assessed. A phone conversation can help narrow down what may be involved, but a proper estimate usually requires some level of inspection.The best first step is to tell us what you're noticing, we can help figure out what may be involved.

Question 21

What affects wildlife removal pricing?

Accepted Answer

Several factors affect the cost: the species (different animals require different approaches), the number of animals, the access (how easy or difficult the entry point is to reach), the property height, the removal method, the exclusion work needed, any repair work, cleanup, and return visits.Our Wildlife Removal Costs page explains these factors in detail.

Question 22

Does wildlife exclusion cost extra?

Accepted Answer

Exclusion, finding and sealing entry points, is a separate part of the work from removal. It may be included or it may be an additional cost, depending on the situation.Ask what the estimate covers: removal, exclusion, repair and cleanup may be separate. Understanding the scope is part of making a good decision. Our Before You Decide page covers the questions worth asking.

Question 23

Are repairs or cleanup included?

Accepted Answer

Repairs (fixing what the animal damaged) and cleanup (removing droppings, nesting material and contamination) are related but distinct parts of the work. They may or may not be included in the estimate.Ask for a clear breakdown of what's covered: removal, exclusion, repair and cleanup. This helps you compare options honestly. See our costs page for more.

Question 24

Why can two wildlife-removal jobs cost very different amounts?

Accepted Answer

Because every situation is different. A single squirrel in an easily accessible attic is a very different job from a colony of bats requiring seasonal exclusion, or an established rodent population with multiple entry points.The species, the number of animals, the access, the exclusion work, the repairs and the cleanup all affect the scope, and therefore the cost. That's why we explain the factors rather than listing fixed prices on our costs page.

Question 25

What affects the cost of wildlife removal?

Accepted Answer

Several factors affect the cost: which animal is involved, how many there are, where the animal is in the house, how many entry points need sealing, and whether attic cleanup is needed.Every situation is different, which is why we explain these factors rather than listing fixed prices. See our Wildlife Removal Costs page for more detail.

Question 26

Do I need to know what animal it is before contacting you?

Accepted Answer

No. You don't need to know what animal it is before reaching out. In fact, trying to guess can sometimes lead to the wrong conclusion.Describe what you're seeing, hearing or smelling, and we can help figure out what might be happening. The sounds, the timing and the location are all useful information, even if you're not sure what animal is causing it. Start with our request form.

Question 27

Can I send a photo?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our request form includes an option to upload a photo. A photo of the animal, the damage or the entry point can help us understand the situation better.If you have one, it's worth including, but it's not required.

Question 28

What information should I provide when requesting help?

Accepted Answer

The most useful information includes: what you're noticing (sounds, sightings, damage, odors), when it's happening (time of day, how long it's been going on), where in the house it's happening, and your ZIP code or area.If you can identify the animal, that's helpful, but it's not necessary. Photos are also useful if you have them. Start your request here.

Question 29

Do you handle wildlife inside the home?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Wildlife inside the home, in attics, walls, crawl spaces and living areas, is a common situation. If an animal is inside your home, reach out and describe what you're experiencing.We can help assess the situation and determine the appropriate next steps. See our Wildlife Removal page for an overview.

Question 30

Do you cover Savannah and nearby Chatham County areas?

Accepted Answer

We focus on Savannah and the surrounding area, including Pooler and Tybee Island.If you're not sure whether you're in our area, reach out and ask. See our Service Area page for more detail.

Question 31

Is this the same as animal control?

Accepted Answer

No. County animal services handles stray dogs and cats. We handle wild animals in and around homes: raccoons, squirrels, bats, rats, snakes, armadillos.

Wildlife Removal Questions in Savannah, GA

Identifying the Problem

Removal & Exclusion

Specific Wildlife

Costs & Estimates

Getting Help

Still have a question?

Request a callback