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When you hear scratching in your attic at 2 a.m. or catch a whiff of something unmistakably pungent near your home, you're likely dealing with unwanted wildlife visitors. Opossums, raccoons, and skunks are common in the Greater Houston Area, and while they play important roles in our ecosystem, they don't belong in or around your home. Understanding how to identify, prevent, and safely remove these animals can save you time, money, and stress.
If you're dealing with wildlife on your property right now, don't wait for the problem to worsen. Contact Hartz Pest Control through our online contact form or call (713) 999-6817 for immediate assistance.
Why Wildlife Is Attracted to Your Property
Understanding what draws these animals to your home is the first step in prevention. Wildlife doesn't wander onto your property by accident—they're looking for three basic necessities: food, water, and shelter.
Opossums, raccoons, and skunks are opportunistic feeders. Pet food left outside, unsecured garbage cans, fallen fruit from trees, and even bird feeders can act as open invitations. Water sources like leaky outdoor faucets, birdbaths, or pools also attract thirsty animals, especially during Houston's hot summers.
Shelter is perhaps the biggest draw. Your home offers numerous hiding spots that mimic natural dens. Attics provide warmth and protection, crawl spaces offer seclusion, and spaces under decks or sheds create perfect nesting sites. Once an animal finds a comfortable spot with nearby food and water, it's likely to stay and possibly raise young there.
Identifying Your Unwanted Guest
Each of these animals has distinct behaviors and signs that can help you identify which creature has moved in.
Opossums
Opossums are North America's only marsupial and are generally solitary, nocturnal animals. They're about the size of a house cat, with gray fur, white faces, and hairless tails. Despite their sometimes intimidating appearance when they bare their 50 teeth, opossums are typically non-aggressive and would rather play dead than fight.
Signs of opossum activity include:
- Tipped-over garbage cans with scattered trash
- Tracks with five toes and an opposable thumb on back feet
- Droppings that are about 1-2 inches long and often contain insect remains
- Disturbed pet food or garden areas
If you suspect you have an opossum problem, professional opossum removal services can safely relocate the animal without harm to you or the creature.
Raccoons
Raccoons are highly intelligent and adaptable, with distinctive black masks and ringed tails. They're larger than opossums, weighing between 10-30 pounds, and their dexterous front paws allow them to open containers, unlatch doors, and create significant property damage.
Watch for these raccoon indicators:
- Loud thumping or walking sounds in your attic at night
- Torn shingles or damaged soffits near roof access points
- Five-toed tracks that look like small human handprints
- Latrine sites where raccoons repeatedly deposit waste
- Damaged lawns where they've dug for grubs
Raccoons can be particularly destructive and may carry diseases like rabies, making professional intervention important for your safety.
Skunks
Skunks are most famous for their defensive spray, which can reach up to 15 feet and linger for weeks. These black and white animals are generally docile but will spray if threatened, startled, or cornered. They're smaller than raccoons, typically weighing 6-10 pounds.
Skunk presence often reveals itself through:
- A strong, musky odor around your property
- Cone-shaped holes in your lawn from digging for insects
- Burrows under decks, porches, or sheds
- Disturbed pet food or garbage
- Tracks showing five toes with visible claw marks
Professional skunk removal helps avoid the unpleasant and lingering consequences of a spray incident.
The Dangers of DIY Wildlife Removal
Many homeowners consider handling wildlife removal themselves to save money, but this approach often creates more problems than it solves. Wildlife can be unpredictable, and seemingly docile animals can become aggressive when cornered or protecting their young.
Health risks are a primary concern. Raccoons can carry rabies, a fatal disease if left untreated. Opossums may harbor leptospirosis and other bacterial infections. Skunks pose rabies risks along with the obvious spray hazard that can cause temporary blindness and respiratory irritation. All three animals can carry parasites like fleas, ticks, and roundworms that transmit to humans and pets.
Beyond health concerns, there are legal considerations. Texas has specific regulations about wildlife trapping and relocation. Improper handling can result in fines, and releasing animals in the wrong location may be illegal. Professional wildlife services understand these regulations and operate within legal guidelines.
DIY attempts also frequently fail to address the root problem. Removing one animal doesn't prevent others from moving in if entry points remain open and attractants stay in place. Without proper exclusion work, you'll likely face repeated intrusions.
Professional Wildlife Removal: What to Expect
When you work with a professional wildlife control service, the process typically follows several key steps designed for effective, humane, and lasting results.
The process begins with a thorough inspection of your property. Technicians identify the species involved, locate entry points and travel paths, assess the extent of the infestation, and check for any offspring that may be present. This inspection is crucial because removal methods vary depending on the animal and situation.
Next comes the removal phase using humane trapping and relocation methods. Raccoon removal, for instance, requires different strategies than opossum or skunk removal due to their intelligence and strength. Live traps are positioned strategically, checked regularly to minimize animal stress, and the captured animals are relocated to appropriate habitats far from residential areas.
After removal, exclusion work prevents future intrusions. This includes sealing entry points in roofs, foundations, and vents, installing chimney caps and vent covers, securing crawl spaces and deck openings, and reinforcing vulnerable areas. This step is often the most important for long-term success.
Finally, cleanup and sanitation address health concerns. Professional services remove contaminated insulation, clean and disinfect affected areas, eliminate odors that attract new animals, and repair minor damage caused during the infestation.
Prevention Strategies for Houston Homeowners
Once your wildlife problem is resolved, prevention keeps your home animal-free. Simple changes to your property and habits can make a significant difference.
Start with food source management. Store garbage in sealed, animal-proof containers and keep bins in a garage or shed until collection day when possible. Remove pet food and water dishes from outside overnight. Keep your yard clean of fallen fruit, and consider removing bird feeders or using baffle guards to limit access.
Property maintenance also plays a critical role. Trim tree branches that hang within 10 feet of your roof, as these serve as highways for raccoons and opossums. Seal potential entry points by repairing holes in soffits, fascia, and foundation areas. Install chimney caps and vent covers, and secure gaps under decks and sheds with hardware cloth buried several inches deep to prevent digging. Keep your lawn maintained, as tall grass attracts the insects that skunks hunt.
Water source reduction helps too. Fix leaky faucets and hoses, empty standing water from containers, and cover or secure pools and decorative ponds when not in use.
When to Call for Professional Help
Some situations clearly require professional intervention. If you hear animals inside your home, smell strong odors indicating nests or latrines, see visible property damage, encounter aggressive animal behavior, or find baby animals on your property, it's time to call for professional animal relocation services.
Don't wait until a minor wildlife issue becomes a major problem. Early intervention costs less, causes less damage, and resolves more quickly than waiting until animals have established themselves in your home.
Get Expert Wildlife Removal in the Greater Houston Area
Wildlife conflicts are stressful, but you don't have to handle them alone. Hartz Pest Control understands the unique challenges Houston homeowners face with wildlife intrusions and offers humane, effective solutions that protect your property and family. Our experienced team can identify your specific situation, remove animals safely, prevent future problems, and restore your peace of mind.
If you're ready to reclaim your home from unwanted wildlife visitors, reach out to Hartz Pest Control today through our online contact form or call (713) 999-6817 to schedule an inspection.