Wildlife Identification & Prevention

Despite our region being an urban environment, it is home to many different species of wild animals. Wild animals in Philadelphia have become used to living with people and won't hesitate to take advantage of the things our properties offer.

Two of the most common species of wildlife to become a problem for homeowners are the squirrel and raccoon.

Raccoons are about the size of a large house cat. Covering their hunched body is black fur peppered with gray hairs. Their fluffy tail is ringed in black and grey fur. Raccoons have hand-like paws that provide them with the ability to manipulate objects. These animals are also easily recognized by the black "mask" of fur that covers their eyes.

Squirrels are a type of rodent. Their most notable physical feature is their long bushy tail, which provides them with the balance they need as they leap across trees, balance on electrical wires, and jump from roof to roof. Squirrels have oblong bodies with gray fur and ears that stand up off their heads.

Most of the wildlife that lives around us is not a problem; in fact, they can be fun to watch. However, sometimes wild animals rely too much on people and make themselves at home in our yards and houses.

Wildlife can cause various problems, including spreading many diseases and parasites, damaging your lawn and landscape, and causing structural damage within your home. Wild animals can easily feel trapped; many will defend themselves from you or your pets by biting or scratching.

Wildlife belongs outside, away from our homes, for their safety, and yours. At first notice of a problem with wildlife on your property, reach out for professional help to eliminate them. 

Wildlife typically becomes a problem for people after they discover reliable food sources on our properties. Things like gardens, trash cans, compost, pet food, bird feeders, and outdoor eating and cooking areas offer food sources wild animals can count on.

Other things that drive wild animals to our properties include periods of bad weather, a decrease in natural food sources, and the promise of safe, dry, warm shelter.

Wild animals are adaptable and can make themselves comfortable almost anywhere. They tend to thrive in urban areas where large numbers of people and buildings provide them access to their necessities.

Raccoons like to live outside, some of their favorite hangouts include:

• Abandoned cars
• Spaces under foundations
• Dumpsters
• Parks
• Storm drains

Our homes and garages also provide raccoons with suitable shelter. Raccoons are regularly found in attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, and wall voids.

Squirrels prefer to live up off the ground in trees. As squirrels are bound around our yards and explore, they commonly get inside homes through gaps in the roof, chimneys, and lost screens. Once inside, they will take advantage of the safe shelter Philadelphia homes offer. Like raccoons, squirrels won't hesitate to call our attics, chimneys, and wall voids homes.

If wild animals have become a problem on your Philadelphia property, we are here to help. We will work with you to eliminate problems through wildlife trapping and one-way doors. One-way doors allow wild animals to leave your home but prevent them from returning.

We tailor our service plans to meet each customer and property's unique needs. Trust us with your wildlife control needs; we are here to assist you in taking back your property from unwanted wildlife.

The following wildlife prevention tips will help you keep raccoons, squirrels, and other wild animals from your property. 

• Place all trash you remove from your home in outdoor containers with locking lids.
• Have trash removed from your property regularly. 
• Avoid heavy landscaping around your home's exterior that offers food and harborage sites for wildlife.
• Keep wildlife out of your home by ensuring screens are secure and repairing damage to the roof and foundation.
• Fill in areas of your yard that allow rainwater to pool and offer a water source. 

For wildlife removal in Philadelphia, contact Harpoon Pest Solutions now!