As summer heats up, wildlife activity increases, which means your pets are more likely to encounter animals like raccoons, snakes, and ticks while exploring the outdoors. While some wildlife may seem harmless, many pose potential dangers to your furry friends. It’s important to take precautions to keep your pets safe.

Common Summer Wildlife Dangers for Pets

1. Rabid Animals

Raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats are the most common carriers of rabies. If an infected animal bites or scratches your pet, it can transmit the rabies virus. Make sure to watch out for signs of rabies, including erratic behavior, aggression, and foaming at the mouth.

Rabies shots are the best defense, so be sure to keep your pets’ vaccinations up to date! Carefully supervise your animals’ outdoor time, especially at dawn and dusk, when nuisance wildlife is most active.

2. Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks thrive in warm months and easily latch onto your pet, transmitting diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Pets that roam through tall grass, wooded areas, or even backyard shrubs are at an increased risk. Keep grass and vegetation trimmed to reduce tick habitats.

Check your pet for ticks after their outdoor time and utilize vet-approved flea and tick preventatives.

3. Snake Encounters

Snakes become more active in the summer as they seek food and warmth. While many are harmless, venomous species like copperheads are found in Central PA and can pose a serious threat to pets.

Avoid letting pets explore underbrush, tall grass, or woodpiles where snakes may hide. Train your pets to stay on paths and avoid allowing your pets to chase or paw at unknown animals. If your pet is bitten, seek emergency vet care immediately.

4. Foxes and Other Predators

Red foxes and larger birds of prey, such as hawks and owls, can pose a risk to small pets and backyard animals. While red foxes typically avoid confrontations with cats and dogs, young or smaller pets such as kittens, toy breeds, or puppies could be at risk, especially if left unattended. Foxes are more likely to target easy prey such as chickens, rabbits, or rodents during the summer when they’re hunting to feed their young.

Keep cats indoors and small dogs on a leash when outside. Installing motion-activated lights or fencing can help to deter predators. Additionally, avoid walking pets near wooded areas or open fields at dawn or dusk.

Final Thoughts

Summer is a great time for pets to enjoy the outdoors, but protecting your pets against wildlife risks is important. By staying aware of potential dangers, maintaining your yard, and keeping vaccinations up to date, you can have a safe and enjoyable season for your furry friends. If you suspect wildlife activity near your home, contact us for professional exclusion and removal services!

Skunks might be harmless from a distance, but making themselves at home on your property can bring many issues. From their distinctive odor to property damage and disease, skunks are more than just a nuisance; they pose significant risks. If you’re searching for skunk trapping in Lancaster, it’s likely because you’ve already seen or smelled the signs.

What Do Skunks Do?

These animals are drawn to sheltered areas, such as under decks, sheds, or porches, in search of food, warmth, or a nesting site. You may see them digging around your yard, spraying, or coming into contact with your pets. They also carry diseases such as rabies, which makes them a health risk to you and your pets.

Skunk Trapping and Removal

While some homeowners consider handling skunk issues on their own, it’s not as simple as setting a trap. Skunk removal is regulated in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and improper handling can result in being sprayed, bitten, or fined. Professional wildlife control ensures that the animal is removed safely and legally. It also involves identifying how the skunk gained entry and sealing up entry points to prevent future issues.

At Backyard Wildlife Solutions, we specialize in skunk trapping throughout Lancaster County and surrounding areas. Our approach starts with a detailed property inspection to confirm skunk activity and locate their entry or denning areas. Once identified, we trap and remove the animal and create recommendations for custom exclusion to help secure your home against future visits.

Skunks may be common in our area, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with one under your porch. If you’ve noticed digging, a lingering musky odor, or unusual nighttime activity, give us a call. We’re here to help with skunk trapping in Lancaster, using safe and effective methods that protect both your home and the wildlife involved.

Summer in Pennsylvania is peak season for bat activity—and if you’re hearing fluttering, squeaking, or scratching sounds coming from your attic, there’s a good chance bats have moved in. While they’re important to our ecosystem, they don’t belong in your home! Attic bat removal in summer requires careful timing, humane practices, and a strong understanding of local wildlife laws.

Why Bats Choose Attics in Summer

Pennsylvania is home to species like the Little Brown Bat and Big Brown Bat, both of which are known to roost in attics. During the summer months, female bats form maternity colonies, gathering in warm, dark, and undisturbed areas to give birth and raise their pups (baby bats).

Signs of an infestation often include:

• Guano (bat droppings) accumulation in insulation or around entry points
• Grease or stain marks near roof vents or soffits
• Chirping or scratching sounds, usually at dusk and dawn

When Can You Remove Bats?

If you’re looking into attic bat removal in PA this summer, timing is everything. From mid-May through the end of July, it’s illegal to perform exclusion on bats in Pennsylvania as they are a protected species. During this period, young bats are flightless, and excluding maternal bats would leave pups behind, which is both inhumane and against PA Game Commission regulations.

Late summer (August and early September) is the optimal and legal time for exclusion work. By then, juvenile bats are old enough to fly, and humane exclusion can be safely performed.

What Does Bat Removal Involve?

Professional attic bat removal in Pennsylvania typically includes:

• Inspection: A licensed wildlife expert inspects the interior and exterior of your home to locate all bat entry points.
• Exclusion: Once pups can fly, one-way doors are installed to let bats exit safely without returning.
• Sealing: After all bats are out, the home is sealed using custom materials to prevent reentry.
• Cleanup: Guano cleanup and sanitation help eliminate health risks like histoplasmosis.

Why You Shouldn’t DIY Bat Removal

Bat removal is regulated and hazardous. Guano contains harmful pathogens, and handling bats without PPE and training can result in exposure to rabies. As professional wildlife removal technicians, we follow strict safety and legal guidelines to ensure safe, effective removal.

At Backyard Wildlife Solutions, we specialize in attic bat removal in PA, serving Lancaster County and surrounding areas. We’re fully licensed, experienced, and committed to proper wildlife exclusion.

Schedule Your Inspection Now

Even if removal must wait until the end of maternity season, now is the perfect time to schedule an inspection and prepare. Don’t let bats take over your attic; make a plan so you’re ready when exclusion can begin.

Contact us today for expert help with attic bat removal in the summer in PA—we’re here to help!

Storm Damage & Wildlife: How Summer Weather Creates Entry Points

Summer brings more than sunshine and warm weather—it’s also prime time for thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy rain. While storms may pass quickly, their damage can invite nuisance wildlife to move in unexpectedly.

The usual critters we deal with are opportunistic. If storms compromise parts of your home, they won’t take long to find the weak points. Here’s how summer weather increases the risk of wildlife intrusion and our recommendations.

How Storms Create Entry Points for Wildlife

1. Loose or Damaged Soffits and Fascia

High winds and heavy rains can loosen soffit panels or pull them completely away from the roofline. Squirrels and raccoons love to use these gaps to enter attics and upper crawl spaces.

2. Broken Vents or Missing Covers

Exhaust vents and gable vents can become damaged or lose their protective covers during severe storms. These vents are optimal points of access for birds, bats, and rodents to move in and start nesting.

3. Shingles & Roof Damage

Missing or broken shingles and lifted flashing can create entry points into attics or ceiling spaces. Water damage softens materials over time, making them even more susceptible to exploitation by animals.

4. Fallen Tree Limbs

Storm-damaged trees or overhanging branches can give climbing animals like raccoons and squirrels a direct pathway to your roof. Fallen branches can also damage siding, rooflines, or windows, making your home even more vulnerable.

After a Storm Passes

After the storm passes, take a few minutes to assess your home for any damage:

• Soffit or fascia boards that appear loose or bent
• Missing or damaged vent covers
• Displaced roof shingles or visible holes
• Tree branches resting on or near the roof
• Water stains in the attic or upper walls
• Signs of wildlife activity, such as droppings, nesting material, or strange noises

Promptly taking action can help protect your home from critters. Scheduling a professional inspection, even for minor damage, can prevent animals from forming entry points. Repair any problem areas, such as holes, broken vents, and loose soffits. Consider adding vent covers and chimney caps for added protection. Trimming overhanging tree branches at least 6–8 feet from your roof can limit easy access for animals that like to climb.

Final Thoughts

Summer storms open the door for uninvited wildlife guests. Acting quickly after a storm can save you from bigger problems. If you’re unsure where to start, we’re here to help with thorough inspections, efficient removal, and custom exclusion solutions to keep animals out, no matter the weather.

Noticed damage after a storm? Contact us for animal removal and exclusion!

Spring Cleaning for Wildlife Prevention: Yard and Home Checklist

Prevent Wildlife from Invading Your Home This Spring

Wildlife activity increases as the weather warms up, and animals begin searching for shelter, food, and nesting spots. Without proper prevention, your property could become a home for raccoons, squirrels, rodents, and birds.

Performing a spring wildlife inspection is essential to keep your property safe. Check out this yard and home checklist to deter nuisance wildlife and prevent damage to your property.

1. Secure Trash and Eliminate Food Sources

Many animals, including raccoons, opossums, and other animals, are drawn to unsecured trash and outdoor food sources. To prevent wildlife from foraging on your property:

✅ Use trash cans with secure, locking lids.
✅ Store garbage bins in a garage or shed until collection day.
✅ Remove pet food, birdseed, and compost from accessible areas.

By eliminating food sources, you reduce the chances of attracting unwanted visitors.

2. Remove Yard Debris and Overgrown Vegetation

Debris provides optimal hiding spots for snakes, rodents, and other animals. Keeping your property well-maintained will deter wildlife from settling in:

✅ Rake leaves and clear brush piles that create nesting areas.
✅ Trim tree branches that overhang or touch your roof, preventing easy access to potential entry points.
✅ Store firewood away from your home and elevate it off the ground.

A clean yard minimizes wildlife shelter options, keeping them at a safe distance from your home.

3. Inspect and Seal Entry Points in Your Home

Even the smallest gaps can become an entryway for rodents, squirrels, and bats. Spring is the perfect time to inspect your home’s exterior and seal potential wildlife access points:

✅ Check soffits, eaves, vents, and gable areas for holes or chew marks.
✅ Contact a professional for custom vent screening and chimney cap installation.
✅ Have professional sealing completed around foundation cracks, utility line gaps, and roof openings.

Proactively wildlife-proofing your home can prevent costly repair and remediation in the future.

4. Protect Your Attic, Basement, and Crawl Spaces

Your attic, basement, and crawl spaces offer warmth and shelter, making them a haven for wildlife. Check these areas for signs of intrusion:

✅ Look for droppings, nesting materials, or unusual noises in your attic.
✅ Inspect insulation and wood structures for chewing or damage.
✅ Ensure attic vents and chimney caps are intact and secure.

A properly sealed home discourages animals from seeking refuge indoors.

5. Eliminate Standing Water and Drainage Issues

Water sources attract mosquitoes, rodents, and larger wildlife seeking hydration. Address these common problem areas:

✅ Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent water buildup.
✅ Fix leaky outdoor faucets and hoses that create puddles.
✅ Empty or refresh birdbaths, pet bowls, and planter trays regularly.

Proper drainage reduces wildlife attraction and helps maintain a healthier outdoor space.

6. Take Action Before Nesting Season Begins

Spring is nesting season for birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other animals. Taking preventive measures early can stop them from settling in unwanted spaces:

✅ Inspect shutters, vents, and under decks for nesting debris.
✅ Ask a professional for help with installing chimney caps and vent covers before animals move in.
✅ If you notice an active nest, contact a professional for removal.

Preventing nests reduces property damage and potential health risks associated with wildlife.

7. Schedule a Professional Wildlife Inspection

As DIY prevention isn’t always effective, some wildlife problems require expert intervention. As a professional wildlife control specialist, we can:

✅ Identify potential entry points you might overlook.
✅ Offer customized exclusion solutions to keep wildlife out for good.
✅ Provide safe removal if animals have already moved in.

A proactive wildlife inspection ensures long-term protection and peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about protecting your home from nuisance wildlife before problems arise.

Need help securing your home this spring? Contact us today for expert wildlife removal and exclusion services!