Pest group
Wildlife
Raccoons, skunks, bats, snakes and birds: humane removal, repellents and the laws that apply.
Raccoons 1 article Skunks Guides coming soon Possums Guides coming soon Bats Guides coming soon Snakes Guides coming soon Lizards Guides coming soon Birds Guides coming soon Coyotes Guides coming soon Beavers Guides coming soon Muskrats Guides coming soon Stray Cats Guides coming soon
Identify at a glance
Size, key marks and where each wildlife pest shows up first, with the threat level and the first step to take.
| Pest | Threat | Size and key marks | Where to look | First step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoons | High | 24 to 38 inches including tail (60–95 cm). Black mask, ringed tail, dexterous front paws. | Attics, chimneys, crawl spaces, garages, trash cans | Use locking lids on trash cans |
| Skunks | Moderate | 20 to 30 inches including tail (50–75 cm). Black with white stripes; bushy tail. | Under porches, decks, sheds; lawns dug for grubs | Close gaps under decks with buried mesh |
| Possums | Low | 24 to 40 inches including tail (60–100 cm). Gray fur, white face, pink nose, bare tail. | Under decks and sheds, garages, attics | Feed pets indoors |
| Bats | High | 4 to 5 inches body; wingspan up to 13 inches. Brown fur, leathery wings; fly at dusk. | Attics, eaves, behind shutters, chimneys | Seal gaps after bats leave in fall |
| Snakes | Moderate | 1 to 6 feet (30–180 cm). Legless reptiles; pit vipers have heat pits and often thick bodies. | Woodpiles, tall grass, rock walls, crawl spaces, garages | Keep grass short and remove brush piles |
| Lizards | Low | 3 to 8 inches (8–20 cm). Small reptiles; geckos have sticky toe pads, anoles change color. | Porches, walls near lights, garages; indoors in warm states | Seal gaps around doors and screens |
| Birds | Moderate | Varies by species. Pigeons, sparrows, starlings, woodpeckers, geese. | Roof ledges, gutters, porch lights, vents, siding | Install vent covers and gutter guards |
| Coyotes | Moderate | 32 to 37 inches body (80–95 cm), 20 to 50 lb. Dog-like, gray-brown, bushy black-tipped tail. | Suburbs, parks, golf courses, edges of woods | Keep pets indoors at night and supervise small dogs |
| Beavers | High | 3 to 4 feet including tail (90–120 cm), 35 to 65 lb. Large rodent with a broad flat tail and orange teeth. | Streams, ponds, culverts, waterfront properties | Wrap valuable trees with welded wire |
| Muskrats | Moderate | 16 to 25 inches including tail (40–63 cm). Dark brown, rat-like, flattened scaly tail. | Ponds, lakes, canals, drainage ditches | Riprap or wire mesh on pond banks |
| Stray Cats | Moderate | 18 inches body (46 cm), 8 to 11 lb. Domestic cats living outdoors, owned or feral. | Gardens, sandboxes, under porches, sheds | Cover soil with rough mulch or chicken wire |
When to call a professional
- RaccoonsRaccoons living in the attic, chimney or crawl space
- SkunksA skunk denning under the house
- PossumsAn opossum inside the living space or attic
- BatsA colony living in the attic or walls
- SnakesA venomous snake near the home
- LizardsRarely needed; large invasive species in some southern states
- BirdsBirds nesting inside vents or walls
- CoyotesA coyote that approaches people or shows no fear
- BeaversFlooding of roads, yards or septic systems
- MuskratsBurrows weakening dams or levees
- Stray CatsA feral colony: contact a trap-neuter-return (TNR) group or animal control
Latest wildlife guides
Other pest groups
- Household InsectsAnts, roaches, bed bugs and the other insects that move indoors for food, water and warmth.
- Bees & WaspsNests under eaves, in walls and in the ground: when to leave them, when to act and how to stay safe.
- Spiders & CrawlersSpiders, scorpions, ticks and the many-legged crawlers found in basements and yards.
- Rodents & ShrewsMice, rats, squirrels and their relatives: signs, traps, exclusion and cleanup.
- Lawn & Garden PestsDiggers and grazers that tunnel lawns, raid vegetable beds and undermine foundations.
Photo credits
Thank you to Korall for sharing this beautiful photograph and helping bring this guide to life.