Toledo Wildlife Control

Raccoons, Skunks, Bats and Squirrels

Toledo's parks, green spaces, and the Maumee and Ottawa Rivers are a big part of what makes this city a great place to live. They also put raccoons, skunks, bats, and squirrels right in your backyard, especially in spring and fall when animals start looking for somewhere warm to den up.

Once they find their way into your attic, garage, or under your deck, the damage adds up fast. Chewed wiring, ruined insulation, and health risks that won't sort themselves out. The longer it sits, the worse it gets.

Abell removes wildlife safely, seals every entry point, and makes sure they don't come back.

Schedule your Toledo inspection today.

Common Wildlife in Toledo

Raccoons are highly adaptable and one of the most frequent wildlife intruders in Toledo homes.

• They can climb trees, fences, and structures to reach rooftops and attics.
• Inside, raccoons tear insulation, chew electrical wiring, and damage ducts, creating fire hazards and expensive repairs.
• Their droppings may carry diseases like roundworm or leptospirosis.
• Raccoons often dig dens under decks, sheds, and porches, especially in areas like West Toledo, and Sylvania, which can weaken foundations.
• Sealing all access points and using humane exclusion methods is critical to prevent re-entry.

 

Skunks can cause a variety of problems for homeowners in Toledo.

• They dig up lawns and gardens while foraging for grubs and insects.
• Burrows beneath decks, porches, and sheds can compromise property structures.
• Skunks carry diseases, and their spray can cling to pets and surfaces.
• Professional, humane skunk removal ensures safety for both humans and animals.
• Installing exclusion barriers prevents skunks from returning.

 

Bats are beneficial for insect control but can create hazards when they enter homes.

• They gain access through small gaps in chimneys, vents, rooflines, or soffits.
• Bat droppings can damage insulation, affect structural elements, and pose respiratory risks.
• Professional bat removal includes one-way doors and a detailed attic inspection.
• Preventive measures like chimney caps and vent covers reduce the likelihood of re-entry.

 

Squirrels may seem harmless but can cause serious home damage.

• They squeeze through small gaps near chimneys, vents, soffits, or rooflines.
• Inside attics, squirrels build nests with insulation and gnaw on wiring, creating fire hazards.
• They can carry fleas, mites, or ticks into your home.
• Professional removal and exclusion prevent repeat infestations.

 

 

Tips to Protect Your Toledo Home

• Inspect roofs, vents, chimneys, and soffits for gaps or damage and repair promptly.
• Install chimney caps to block raccoons, skunks, and bats.
• Trim tree branches near your roof to prevent wildlife access.
• Keep garbage bins closed and remove outdoor pet food.
• Maintain sheds and decks to eliminate nesting areas.
• Consider professional wildlife exclusion systems for long-term protection.

Leave It to the Professionals.

Wildlife is unpredictable and handling it yourself puts you at risk. Abell's team inspects your home, identifies every entry point, removes animals safely using one-way doors, and seals everything up so they can't get back in.

Safe for your family. Safe for the animals. Done right the first time.

Call Abell today to book your wildlife inspection.

FAQ

Why is something digging up my lawn every night?

Raccoons and skunks are the usual suspects. Both dig through grass looking for grubs and insects, and if it's happening repeatedly in the same spot, there's a good chance one of them is denning nearby, under your deck or shed. It's worth having someone take a look before they get any closer to the house.

I heard scratching in my walls last night. Should I be worried?

Yes, don't ignore it. Scratching, scurrying, or thumping from your walls or ceiling, especially at night, usually means something has already found its way in. Other signs: damaged vents or soffits, unexplained odors, droppings, or disturbed insulation. The sooner you act, the less damage you're dealing with.

Can't I just block the hole myself and be done with it?

This is one of the most common mistakes we see, and it almost always makes things worse. If an animal is still inside when you seal the opening, it's trapped. That means more damage, persistent odour, and a serious health hazard. Every animal needs to be out first, all entry points identified, and only then should anything be sealed. That's what a proper inspection is for.

What kind of damage can a raccoon or squirrel actually do inside a house?

More than most people expect. They tear through insulation, damage roofing and ventilation, and chew electrical wiring, which isn't just a repair bill, it's a fire risk. Their waste contaminates attic spaces and creates odour problems that don't go away on their own. What starts as a small intrusion can become a costly problem fast.

My dog got into it with a skunk. Now what?

Keep your pet away from the animal and don't try to handle the skunk yourself. Skunk spray typically needs professional deodorization since store-bought remedies rarely cut it. More importantly, any contact between a pet and wildlife should be followed up with your vet. The disease risk is real and worth taking seriously.

How do you remove the animals, and what happens to them?

We use exclusion to get animals out without handling or stressing them. One-way doors let them leave on their own, and once they're out, we seal the entry points so they can't get back in. The goal is a safe resolution for you and for the animal.

Are raccoons dangerous, or just a nuisance?

Both, but dangerous is the word that matters. Raccoons carry rabies, leptospirosis, and raccoon roundworm. They can become aggressive when cornered or protecting their young. Pets and people are both at risk from a direct encounter. If a raccoon is regularly showing up on your property, get a professional assessment.

What diseases can these animals pass on to my family or pets?

The risks are real. Raccoons and skunks can carry rabies and leptospirosis. Squirrels can spread leptospirosis and salmonella through droppings, urine, or bites, and they frequently bring fleas, ticks, and mites into the home. Accumulated waste in an enclosed space like an attic adds to the problem significantly. This is not something to wait out.

Why do animals keep targeting my house?

Your home offers everything they're looking for: warmth, shelter, and protection from predators. Attics, wall cavities, chimneys, and the space under decks are particularly attractive. All it takes is one gap in a roofline, soffit, or vent. If an animal has found its way in before, others will too unless the entry points are properly sealed.

I found a sick or dead animal in my yard. What should I do?

Don't touch it. Sick wildlife can behave unpredictably and may carry disease. Call a professional to handle removal safely. It's not worth the risk.

How long does this whole process take?

It depends on the species and the situation. Straightforward cases can be wrapped up within a few days. If there are dependent young involved, or the exclusion work is more extensive, it takes longer. Rushing it creates more problems than it solves. We'll give you a clear timeline once we've assessed the situation.

There's a raccoon or skunk hanging around my property. Should I do anything?

Don't approach it or try to scare it off yourself. Give Abell a call. We'll check whether it's already found a way into your home or is denning somewhere nearby. Catching it early is always easier than dealing with it after it's settled in.

Once the animals are gone, how do I keep them from coming back?

Sealing every entry point is the starting place. Beyond that: chimney caps, proper vent covers, trimming tree branches that hang over your roofline, and eliminating anything that might attract them, like accessible garbage or pet food left outside. Exclusion done right is what keeps them from coming back. We can walk you through exactly what your property needs.

What time of year should I be most concerned about wildlife getting in?

Spring and fall are when we're busiest. In spring, nesting season pushes animals to find warm, enclosed spaces to raise their young. Fall brings a second wave as they look for somewhere to wait out the cold. Attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, and under-deck areas take the most hits during both seasons, which is why a proactive inspection in early spring or late summer is a smart call.

Is the removal process safe for the animals?

Yes. Humane wildlife control means eviction and prevention, not harm. We use one-way doors, exclusion methods, and live trapping where permitted, always within local regulations. The goal is a resolution that works for everyone.

How much does wildlife removal cost in Toledo?

Wildlife removal costs can vary depending on the species, the severity of the infestation, and the services required. Contact Abell Pest Control for an on-site inspection and estimate.