Wildlife intrusions are increasingly common in New York suburbs. Here is how to handle raccoons in the attic, squirrels in the soffit, and bats in the chimney humanely and permanently.
As suburban development has pushed deeper into previously wooded areas across Long Island and Westchester County, wildlife encounters have become increasingly common. Raccoons, gray squirrels, bats, and skunks have adapted remarkably well to suburban living — finding food in residential garbage and nesting in the attics, soffits, chimneys, and crawl spaces of homes throughout the region.
Raccoons are highly intelligent and extremely strong. On Long Island and throughout Westchester County, they are the most common wildlife intrusion we handle — typically entering attics through gaps in soffits, around roof vents, or at the junction of the roof and fascia boards. Inside an attic, raccoons cause serious damage: they tear apart insulation, defecate throughout the space (raccoon feces can contain dangerous parasites), and their weight can damage the structural decking. Removal must be followed by complete exclusion work.
Gray squirrels are everywhere across Long Island and Westchester. They enter homes through small gaps at the roofline and around chimney flashings. Once inside, they gnaw constantly on wooden structural members and electrical wiring. Squirrel-gnawed wiring is a documented cause of house fires, making fast removal critical.
New York bat species are protected under state law with specific rules about removal timing. Bats cannot be excluded between May 1 and August 15 when young bats are flightless. Outside this period, bat exclusion uses one-way devices that allow bats to exit but not re-enter. Bat guano cleanup is also important as accumulated guano can harbor a fungus causing respiratory illness.
The Bugs Stop Here provides humane wildlife removal across Long Island, Westchester County, The Bronx, and Rockland County in compliance with New York State wildlife regulations.
Yes. We use live traps and one-way exclusion devices that allow animals to leave but not return. No animals are harmed. All methods comply with New York State wildlife regulations.
Do not try to catch it yourself. Confine it to one room, keep pets away, and call us immediately. If anyone was exposed to the bat contact your local health department about rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
Yes with care. March through May is denning season when mother raccoons may have young. We use methods appropriate to the season to ensure humane removal of the entire family group.
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