As warmer weather arrives in Chicago, many homeowners look forward to longer days and time outdoors. But spring and summer also bring a surge in urban wildlife activity. From nesting raccoons to foraging rodents, wild animals become more active—and more likely to invade your home during these months.
Whether you’re in a single-family home or a multi-unit building, being aware of the seasonal threats can help you prevent infestations before they become dangerous or expensive to deal with. Here’s what to watch for and how to protect your property.
Why Spring and Summer Increase Wildlife Intrusions
During the spring, many animals begin breeding and searching for safe, warm places to nest. Attics, crawlspaces, garages, and even vents provide the perfect shelter. Summer brings increased activity as young animals grow and search for food—often in trash cans, gardens, or pantries.
In a city like Chicago, where urban wildlife thrives, homes and buildings are frequent targets.
Top Wildlife Threats to Watch For
1. Raccoons Nesting in Attics or Chimneys
Raccoons are particularly active in spring as females seek safe places to give birth. Your attic, soffit, or chimney can easily become a raccoon nursery. Look for signs like loud thumping noises at night, damage to roof vents, or overturned trash cans.
If you suspect raccoons, avoid trying to remove them yourself. Raccoons can become aggressive—especially mothers with babies—and may carry rabies or parasites.
2. Bats Roosting in Rooflines or Vents
Bats often enter homes through small gaps in the roofline or vents to find dark, undisturbed spaces for roosting. During spring and summer, they may form colonies in attics or wall voids.
Bat droppings (guano) can pose serious health risks, including histoplasmosis. Since bats are protected by law in many situations, professional bat removal and exclusion are the safest options.
3. Squirrels Chewing Through Roofs and Soffits
Tree squirrels become a major concern in spring as they look for nesting areas. They often chew through wooden eaves or loose siding to get into attics, where they build nests and chew on electrical wiring—a serious fire hazard.
If you hear daytime scurrying in your attic, you may be hosting squirrels.
4. Rats and Mice Foraging Indoors
Rodents remain active all year, but spring and summer offer plenty of food sources. If their usual food supply is disrupted by construction or flooding, they’ll enter homes and buildings in search of shelter and sustenance.
Gnawed packaging, droppings in drawers, and scratching in the walls are signs of an infestation.
How to Protect Your Home
1. Inspect Your Property
Check for loose roof shingles, gaps around vents, uncapped chimneys, and broken screens—common entry points for wildlife.
2. Eliminate Food Sources
Secure trash cans, clean up pet food, and store pantry items in sealed containers to reduce attraction for rodents and raccoons.
3. Schedule Preventative Wildlife Services
Many Chicago homeowners wait until an infestation occurs—but prevention is much safer and more cost-effective. Professional wildlife control services can inspect your property, seal entry points, and recommend long-term exclusion strategies.
Need Help with Wildlife Control in Chicago?
From bat removal and raccoon control to squirrel removal and rodent exclusion, spring and summer are peak seasons for wildlife issues. Acting early is key to avoiding health hazards and costly damage.
For licensed and humane wildlife removal services in Chicago, including mice control, roof rat extermination, and animal-proofing, contact Chicago’s Green Trapper today. Our expert team provides customized solutions for homes and commercial properties across the city.