Wildlife Control Traverse City Michigan

Raccoons, Skunks, Bats and Squirrels

Traverse City is gorgeous, and the wildlife here knows it. When your neighborhood backs up against forest, the Boardman River, or anywhere near Sleeping Bear Dunes, you're sharing territory with raccoons, skunks, bats, and squirrels whether you like it or not.

Spring and fall are the busiest seasons. Animals are looking for somewhere warm, and your attic, garage, or deck is exactly what they have in mind. By the time most homeowners notice, there's already chewed wiring, torn insulation, or worse.

Abell removes wildlife safely and humanely, and makes sure they don't come back. Schedule your inspection today.

Common Wildlife in Traverse City

Raccoons are highly intelligent and frequently invade homes in Traverse City.

• They climb trees, fences, and structures to reach rooftops and attics.
• Inside, raccoons tear insulation, chew wiring, and damage ducts, creating fire hazards and costly repairs.
• Droppings may carry diseases such as roundworm or leptospirosis.
• Raccoons may burrow under decks, sheds, and porches in areas like Downtown Traverse City, Peninsula Township, and Garfield Township, weakening foundations.
• Proper exclusion and sealing of all entry points are essential to prevent re-entry.

Skunks are common in suburban yards and rural lots around Traverse City.

• They dig up lawns and gardens searching for insects and grubs.
• Burrowing beneath decks, porches, and sheds can compromise property structures.
• Skunks carry diseases, and their spray is difficult to remove from pets and surfaces.
• Professional, humane skunk removal is the safest solution.
• Installing exclusion barriers prevents skunks from returning.

Bats provide valuable insect control but can cause hazards inside homes.

• They enter through small gaps in chimneys, vents, rooflines, or soffits.
• Bat droppings can damage insulation, create structural issues, and pose respiratory health risks.
• Safe bat removal involves one-way doors and professional attic inspections.
• Preventive measures like vent covers and chimney caps reduce the likelihood of bats returning.

 

Squirrels may appear harmless but can cause serious damage.

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

 

 

How to Protect Your Traverse City 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 rooftops 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.

Why Traverse City Residents Choose Abell

Wildlife can be unpredictable and dangerous. Handling animals yourself is risky.

Abell’s wildlife control process includes:

• Complete inspections to identify entry points and assess damage
• Humane exclusion using one-way doors and animal-proof sealing
• Preventive measures to stop future wildlife problems

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 odor 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 actually 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 Traverse?

Costs vary depending on species, infestation severity, and required services. Contact Abell for a personalized on-site quote.