Wildlife problems are often first noticed as scratching in a ceiling, movement in an attic, birds inside a vent, droppings near a roofline, or a damaged soffit. This guide explains what those signs may mean, what to do first, and how wildlife inspection, removal, exclusion, repair, and cleanup differ.

Animal Control NY/NJ assists homeowners, renters, landlords, property managers, supers, and commercial properties. Structural exclusion or repair work may require authorization from the property owner or building management.

We provide wildlife-removal and exclusion services throughout New York City and the New Jersey areas we serve. Because every building and animal situation is different, an inspection may be needed before the correct method and scope can be determined.

Immediate safety note: Do not touch wildlife, disturb an active nest, enter an unsafe attic or roof area, or seal a suspected opening before confirming that animals and dependent young are out.

Raccoon near a building entry area

Immediate wildlife and bat safety

Keep people and pets away, close interior doors if that can be done safely, and give the animal space. Do not chase, corner, grab, or strike it. If possible, note where it entered and where it is now without approaching it. In NYC, call 911 only when a wild animal is currently creating an immediate threat to public safety or is threatening or endangering people. Sick, injured, or possibly rabid wildlife that is not creating an immediate threat should be reported through the appropriate NYC311 channel. A healthy nuisance animal inside a building generally requires a private wildlife-removal response.

Keep everyone out of the room, close doors to contain the bat if possible, and do not touch it with bare hands. If the bat may have contacted a person or pet—or was found in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, or someone unable to reliably report contact—do not release it before speaking with the local health department or public-health authority. Testing may be important for deciding whether rabies treatment is needed. If no exposure is possible, a trained wildlife professional can advise on safe removal and an inspection for the entry point.

Do not release it until you have spoken with the local health department or public-health authority. Bat bites can be small and may not always be noticed. Health officials use the circumstances of the encounter and, when possible, rabies testing of the bat to determine the appropriate next step. Avoid bare-hand contact and keep people and pets away. Wildlife removal and building exclusion address the animal and entry point; they do not replace medical, public-health, or veterinary advice after a possible exposure.

No. A raccoon seen during daylight should not automatically be assumed to have rabies. It may be searching for food, moving between den sites, or caring for young. Keep your distance and look at the animal’s overall behavior. Do not approach, feed, or touch it. In NYC, call 911 when an animal is actively threatening people or showing dangerous behavior; otherwise, use the appropriate wildlife or 311 channel for the situation.

Identifying activity by sound, timing and evidence

Sound can narrow the possibilities, but it does not provide a reliable identification by itself. Time of day, pace, weight, chirping or flapping, location, droppings, nesting material, rub marks, chewing, and exterior entry damage all matter. Fast daytime movement can suggest squirrels or birds; heavier nighttime movement can suggest raccoons; light nighttime scratching can involve rodents or flying squirrels. Building acoustics can make a small animal sound much larger, so inspection evidence should guide the final conclusion.

Squirrels are a common possibility when fast scratching, running, or chewing is most noticeable after sunrise, but birds and other animals can also be active then. Look for damaged soffits, fascia, roof vents, louver vents, ridge vents, or roof-edge openings from the ground only. Do not seal a suspected opening based on the sound alone. The timing, exterior damage, nesting evidence, and attic signs should be evaluated together.

Heavy nighttime movement can be associated with a raccoon or another larger animal, but sound travels through framing and can be misleading. Record the time, location, duration, and whether the noise includes vocal sounds, rolling, tearing, or repeated entry and exit. Do not enter a dark or contaminated attic to investigate, and do not block an exterior opening before checking for animals or young. An exterior and attic inspection, when safely accessible, is the best way to identify the cause.

Chirping or fluttering often points to birds, bats, or dependent young, depending on the time, season, and type of opening. Bathroom exhausts, dryer vents, kitchen vents, chimney flues, and wall cavities can carry sound far from the actual nest or entry point. Do not push nesting material deeper into a duct and do not run a vent that appears blocked. The species and nest status should be determined before removal or exclusion work begins.

Silence does not necessarily mean the animal permanently left. Activity may pause because the animal is resting, feeding outside, caring for young quietly, using another part of the structure, or reacting to disturbance. It may also have become trapped or died inside a void. Check for odor, flies, new damage, droppings, or continued exterior activity. Keep the suspected opening available until the situation is evaluated; sealing because the building was quiet for one day can create a trapped-animal problem.

Animals in attics, walls, vents and chimneys

Stay out of unsafe or contaminated attic areas and note when and where the activity is strongest. From the ground, look for damaged soffits, fascia, roof vents, chimney areas, ridge vents, or roof-to-wall gaps, but do not climb onto the roof. Avoid poison, smoke, loud deterrents, and premature sealing. An inspection should identify the animal evidence, primary entry point, possible secondary openings, presence of young, and whether removal, one-way exclusion, repair, monitoring, or cleanup is appropriate.

Mark the area where the sound is strongest and record its timing. Do not cut into the wall, inject foam, or set traps inside an inaccessible void without identifying the route of travel. The animal may be entering from the roofline, attic, basement, utility chase, vent, or an opening behind cabinets. Inspection should begin with accessible adjoining areas and the building exterior. Opening finished surfaces is not automatically part of a standard inspection and may require separate authorization or a qualified trade.

Stop using the affected vent if nesting material appears to obstruct airflow or creates a fire or equipment concern. Do not push the nest deeper into the duct and do not install a cover while birds, eggs, or chicks may be inside. Many native migratory birds and their active nests are protected by federal law. The vent termination, duct condition, species, and nest activity should be inspected first. After lawful removal or natural fledging, the duct may need cleaning and the exterior opening may need a properly sized guard that preserves required airflow.

Keep the fireplace damper closed when safe to do so, keep people and pets away, and do not light a fire to force the animal out. Raccoons, squirrels, bats, and birds can use chimneys, and active nests or young may change the correct response. The chimney type, flue, smoke chamber, damper, cap, and exterior masonry should be evaluated before removal. A chimney cap or screen should be installed only after the chimney is confirmed clear and the proposed protection is compatible with safe venting.

Soffits and fascia are common entry areas because they meet roof edges, gutters, trim, and ventilation components. Loose panels, rotted wood, construction gaps, previous patching, and animal chewing can create access. Closing only the most obvious hole may leave nearby weak points available. A durable repair should address the active entry, inspect the surrounding roofline, use materials appropriate for the animal and building, and maintain needed drainage and ventilation.

Birds and squirrels can enter the open space between roof-mounted panels and the roof surface. That protected area can hold nests, droppings, food debris, and damaged wiring or roofing components. A solar-panel exclusion assessment should consider panel layout, roof condition, nesting activity, access points, wiring, drainage, and the manufacturer’s installation requirements. Critter guard should not be installed over active animals or dependent young, and it should not be fastened in a way that damages the panels or roof.

Wildlife inspections and what customers should expect

The inspection begins with the customer’s observations: location, timing, sounds, sightings, odors, and prior repairs. Accessible affected areas and the exterior are then checked for entry points, droppings, nesting material, rub marks, tracks, chewing, damaged vents, insulation disturbance, and structural vulnerabilities. Roof, attic, crawl-space, chimney, or concealed areas may be limited by height, weather, access, contamination, or safety. Findings should be documented and used to recommend the appropriate removal, exclusion, repair, monitoring, or cleanup scope.

Sometimes a limited service can be estimated from clear information, but complete wildlife exclusion and repair usually cannot be priced accurately without understanding the building and entry points. Cost can be affected by species, young animals, roof height, access, number of openings, material requirements, vent or chimney construction, contamination, monitoring, carpentry, masonry, and return visits. The inspection separates the immediate animal problem from optional or necessary repair and cleanup work so the customer can understand the proposed scope.

A standard wildlife inspection generally covers safely accessible interior areas and the building exterior without destructive investigation. Opening walls, removing cabinets, dismantling vents or equipment, lifting roofing materials, or performing other invasive work is not automatically included. If destructive access is needed, the customer will be informed before that work is performed. Some conditions may also require a roofer, chimney professional, electrician, plumber, HVAC contractor, or another qualified trade.

No inspection can guarantee visibility into every concealed condition. Roof layers, finished walls, shared building cavities, inaccessible crawl spaces, neighboring property, weather, height, and intermittent activity can limit what is observable. A careful inspection should identify visible evidence, likely routes, primary openings, and vulnerable areas, while clearly noting limitations. Monitoring, follow-up observations, cameras, or staged repairs may be recommended when the entry route is not immediately conclusive.

Removal, eviction, exclusion and structural repairs

Wildlife removal addresses an animal that is currently inside, trapped, or creating an immediate problem. Exclusion addresses how animals entered and helps prevent re-entry by screening, sealing, capping, reinforcing, or repairing the correct openings. Some jobs also require an eviction device, monitoring, carpentry, masonry, vent protection, or cleanup. Removing one animal without correcting the entry route can leave the building vulnerable; sealing without first accounting for animals and young can trap them inside.

A one-way device is installed over a confirmed active opening in selected situations so an animal can leave but cannot easily return through that opening. It is not appropriate for every species, structure, season, or family group. Secondary openings may need to be secured first, and the device must remain long enough for activity to be evaluated. After exit is confirmed, the device is removed and the final opening is repaired. Installing one blindly can separate mothers from dependent young or redirect animals into the building.

Foam can fill irregular space and improve air sealing, but exposed foam alone is often vulnerable to chewing, pulling, weather, movement, and UV damage. Durable exclusion may require metal screening, flashing, fasteners, mortar, compatible sealant, wood repair, a manufactured vent guard, or a combination selected for the opening and animal. Materials must also preserve ventilation, drainage, fire safety, and access to building systems. Foam can be part of a repair, but it should not be treated as a universal chew-proof barrier.

No. Some openings are intentional and serve ventilation, drainage, combustion, or moisture-management functions. Weep holes, exhaust terminations, intake vents, roof ventilation, chimney systems, and drainage paths should not be sealed indiscriminately. The goal is to exclude animals while preserving the building component’s required function. Correct work may use a compatible guard, cap, screen, flashing detail, or repair rather than simply filling the opening.

Properly completed exclusion should reduce re-entry through the openings included in the approved scope, but it cannot guarantee that wildlife will never affect the property again. Animals may use unrelated openings, create new damage, or enter through areas affected by storms, deterioration, construction changes, or inaccessible conditions. When workmanship coverage applies, its duration, covered repairs, requirements, and exclusions will be stated in the written proposal or invoice.

Babies, nests, seasonal restrictions and regional guidance

A mother may leave a den or nest to feed while dependent young remain hidden inside. Sealing during that absence can separate the family, cause young animals to die inside the structure, and lead the adult to tear into another area while trying to regain access. Vocal sounds, nesting material, seasonal timing, repeated adult travel, and inspection evidence help determine the risk. The correct plan may involve reunion, staged exclusion, monitoring, or delaying final closure until the young can leave safely.

It depends on the species, nest status, location, and safety circumstances. Many native migratory birds are protected under federal law. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidance generally requires waiting until a nest is inactive—no eggs or chicks and no longer used for breeding—before destroying it, unless a permit or specific authorization applies. Some nests are subject to additional protections even when inactive. Do not remove or block a nest based only on inconvenience. The species and activity should be evaluated, and urgent health or safety situations may require agency guidance.

NJDEP’s current Bats in Buildings guidance lists New Jersey’s safe bat-exclusion dates as April 1 through May 14 and August 1 through October 15. These windows are intended to avoid trapping non-flying young or disturbing bats during unsuitable periods. The dates and circumstances must be checked against current NJDEP guidance before work begins because rules and recommendations can change. A bat found in a living space or a possible rabies exposure is a separate immediate health matter and should be handled through the appropriate health authorities.

New York DEC says a property owner may not simply capture wildlife and relocate it off the property to a park, state land, or another location. Species, circumstances, permits, seasons, and professional licensing can affect what is lawful. DEC advises contacting a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator when a wild animal must be removed. Exclusion and correction of attractants or entry points may provide a more lasting solution than moving one animal.

NYC311 states that Animal Care Centers of NYC generally does not capture or trap healthy wild animals unless an animal appears rabid or has bitten a person or pet. For healthy wildlife causing a problem on private property, residents are directed toward wildlife-removal resources, including licensed nuisance wildlife control operators. Sick, injured, dangerous, public-property, and park situations may follow different reporting routes, so use NYC311 or emergency services according to the animal’s condition and immediate risk.

Cleanup, contamination, pricing, guarantees and next steps

No. Cleanup scope should be based on what is present, how much material is affected, where it is located, and whether insulation, ducts, wiring, stored property, or occupied areas are involved. A small, accessible amount of nesting debris is different from widespread droppings, urine staining, odor, parasites, damaged insulation, or a long-term bat or bird roost. Removal and exclusion should be coordinated with cleanup so contaminated material is not replaced or disturbed while animals can still return.

Avoid dry sweeping or ordinary household vacuuming of rodent droppings because it can stir contaminated dust into the air. Large accumulations of bird or bat droppings also require careful risk assessment; CDC guidance recommends specialized cleanup for large accumulations. The correct method depends on the material, quantity, moisture, location, ventilation, and worker protection required. Keep people and pets away from contaminated areas and obtain appropriate public-health or professional guidance rather than disturbing an unknown accumulation.

Cost is shaped by the animal, building size and height, access, number and type of openings, presence of young, removal method, monitoring, return visits, roof or chimney work, carpentry or masonry, vent guards, solar panels, contamination, and attic restoration needs. Removal, exclusion, repair, and cleanup are different scopes and may not all be included in one service. When additional removal, exclusion, repair, monitoring, or cleanup is recommended, the proposed work should identify what is included and any known exclusions. Conditions that were concealed or inaccessible during the inspection may require a revised or additional scope.

Wildlife glossary

Use this alphabetical guide to understand common wildlife-removal, inspection, exclusion, repair, and cleanup terms.

A

Active entry point
An opening with current evidence of animal travel, such as sightings, fresh damage, tracks, rub marks, droppings, or monitoring activity.
Annular gap
The ring-shaped space around a pipe, conduit, cable, or other object where it passes through a wall, floor, ceiling, or foundation.
Attic remediation
The evaluated cleanup or restoration of attic conditions affected by wildlife, which may include removal of contaminated material, odor treatment, insulation work, and correction of damage. The required scope depends on actual conditions.

B

Bat cone
A type of one-way exclusion device used in selected bat situations to allow bats to exit through a confirmed opening while limiting re-entry.

C

Chase
A framed or enclosed passage that carries pipes, ducts, wiring, or other building systems between floors. Animals may travel through gaps connected to a chase.
Chimney cap
A protective component installed at the top of a chimney to help keep out animals and debris while preserving proper venting. It must be compatible with the chimney and appliance.
Contaminated insulation
Insulation affected by droppings, urine, nesting material, carcasses, insects, moisture, or other conditions that may require evaluation, cleaning, partial removal, or replacement.
Critter guard
A protective barrier installed around areas such as solar panels to help prevent birds or animals from entering the space beneath them.

D

Dependent young
Young animals that cannot yet survive or leave the den or nest without parental care.
Dormer
A roof projection that commonly contains a window or vent. The roof-to-wall and trim intersections around dormers can create wildlife entry points.
Drip edge
Metal flashing installed along roof edges to direct water away from the roof deck and fascia. Gaps or damage near it may provide animal access.

E

Eviction device
A device used in a planned wildlife-exclusion process to allow an animal to leave while limiting return. It is not appropriate in every situation.
Exclusion
Work intended to help prevent wildlife re-entry by repairing, screening, capping, reinforcing, or protecting appropriate openings after the animal situation is addressed.

F

Fascia
The board or finished surface along the roof edge near the gutters and soffit.
Flue
The passage inside a chimney that carries smoke or combustion gases. Animal guards or caps must not interfere with safe venting.

G

Gable vent
A ventilation opening located in the gable end of an attic. Damaged louvers or missing screens can permit animal entry.
Guano
A term commonly used for accumulated bat droppings and sometimes bird droppings. Cleanup needs depend on the material, amount, and conditions.

H

Hardware cloth
Rigid wire mesh available in different metals, coatings, gauges, and opening sizes. The correct specification depends on the animal, opening, exposure, and building function.
HEPA filtration
High-efficiency particulate air filtration used in appropriate equipment and cleanup procedures to capture very small airborne particles. It does not by itself define a complete remediation method.

L

Louver vent
A vent with angled slats that allows airflow. Broken louvers or missing backing can create an entry point.

M

Maternity colony
A seasonal group of female bats that gathers to give birth and raise young. Exclusion timing must account for pups that cannot yet fly.
Monitoring
Follow-up observation using cameras, activity checks, tracks, sound reports, or return inspections to help confirm whether animals are still using an opening.
Mushroom vent
A low-profile roof vent with a cap-like top. The vent may need a compatible interior or exterior guard if wildlife can enter without restricting airflow.

N

Nest blockage
Twigs, grass, feathers, droppings, and other nesting material that obstructs a vent, duct, chimney, drain, or other building component.

O

One-way door
A wildlife-exclusion device that permits exit through a controlled route while limiting re-entry. Final repair follows after exit is confirmed.

P

Primary entry point
The principal opening currently used by wildlife to enter or leave a structure.

R

Re-entry
An animal returning through the same repaired area, another existing opening, or newly created damage. The applicable meaning should be defined in the written work scope.
Ridge vent
A ventilation system installed along the roof ridge. Damaged, loose, or unprotected sections may provide wildlife access while still requiring uninterrupted ventilation.
Roofline gap
An opening along roof edges, trim, soffits, fascia, dormers, gutters, flashing, or roof-to-wall intersections.
Roof-to-wall intersection
The point where a roof surface meets a vertical wall. Flashing and trim transitions at these locations can create hidden openings.
Rub mark
Darkening, smearing, hair, feathers, or surface wear caused by repeated animal contact near a travel route or opening.

S

Secondary opening
Another existing or vulnerable opening that may allow entry after the primary opening is closed.
Soffit
The underside of a roof overhang. Loose panels, damaged wood, or gaps where the soffit meets the roof and wall can allow wildlife entry.

U

Utility penetration
A location where pipes, wires, conduit, refrigerant lines, or other utilities pass through the building envelope.

V

Vent guard
A manufactured or fabricated protective cover intended to keep animals out while maintaining the airflow, drainage, service access, and clearances required by the vent.

W

Wall void
The concealed space inside a framed wall. Animals may reach it from attics, basements, exterior gaps, utility openings, or adjoining building cavities.
Weep hole
An intentional drainage or ventilation opening in masonry or another building assembly. It should not be sealed indiscriminately; compatible screening may be considered where appropriate.

Need help identifying a wildlife problem?

If you are hearing activity, seeing an animal, or finding damage around an attic, vent, chimney, soffit, roofline, basement, crawl space, deck, shed, or solar panels, call Animal Control NY/NJ. The first step is determining what is happening, how the animal entered, and which combination of removal, exclusion, repair, monitoring, or cleanup fits the property.