Humane Wildlife Removal in Westchester County

Wildlife in Westchester: When Nature Gets Too Close

Westchester County’s appeal - mature tree canopy, established neighborhoods, proximity to parks and preserves - is precisely what makes wildlife conflicts so common. The same ecological features that attract residents also support thriving populations of squirrels, raccoons, bats, groundhogs, skunks, opossums, and other species that increasingly rely on residential structures for shelter and food.

The suburban-wildland interface that defines communities like Scarsdale, Bronxville, Larchmont, New Rochelle, and Pelham creates a landscape where wildlife habitat directly overlaps with residential properties. When a gray squirrel discovers that your soffit gap leads to a warm, predator-free attic full of insulation for nesting, or a raccoon finds that your chimney provides a perfect den site for raising young, the result is property damage, noise, health concerns, and significant stress for homeowners. Professional pest control is essential for resolving these conflicts safely and legally.

Common Wildlife Conflicts in Westchester

Gray Squirrels

The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is Westchester’s most frequent attic invader. Squirrels are gnawing animals with continuously growing incisors, and they chew through wood, aluminum, and even vinyl siding to create or enlarge entry holes. Once inside an attic, they gnaw on electrical wiring - creating a genuine fire hazard - damage insulation, and contaminate the space with droppings and urine. Gray squirrels have two breeding seasons in Westchester: late winter (January-February) and mid-summer (June-July), with young remaining in the nest for 8-10 weeks. Timing exclusion around breeding cycles is essential to avoid trapping dependent young inside the structure.

Raccoons

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are remarkably strong and dexterous. An adult raccoon can peel back aluminum soffit, rip off loose fascia boards, and remove improperly secured vent covers with ease. They favor chimneys and attic spaces as denning sites, particularly females seeking safe locations to raise young in spring. Raccoon latrines - communal defecation sites - pose health risks due to the potential presence of Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm), a parasite whose eggs can survive in soil for years and cause serious illness in humans if accidentally ingested.

New York State classifies raccoons as a rabies vector species, which imposes specific legal requirements on their handling. Raccoons cannot be trapped and relocated to a different property in New York - they must be released on-site after exclusion or humanely euthanized if necessary. Our approach prioritizes eviction and exclusion techniques that encourage raccoons to leave voluntarily before we seal entry points.

Bats

Several bat species inhabit Westchester County, with the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) and little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) being the most common attic colonists. Bat colonies in residential attics can range from a few individuals to several hundred. While bats are ecologically valuable - a single bat consumes thousands of insects per night - their presence in living spaces creates health concerns related to histoplasmosis (a fungal infection associated with bat guano accumulation) and the rare but serious risk of rabies.

Bat exclusion in New York is subject to seasonal restrictions. During the maternity season (June 1 through July 31), exclusion is prohibited because flightless pups would be trapped inside the structure. Pristine Pest schedules bat exclusion for early spring or late summer through fall, using one-way exclusion devices that allow bats to depart during evening foraging flights while preventing return.

Groundhogs

Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also called woodchucks, are Westchester’s most destructive burrowing animal. Their extensive burrow systems - which can include 20-45 feet of tunnels with multiple entrances - undermine foundations, patios, retaining walls, and driveways. Burrow entrances near foundations can direct water toward your home during heavy rain. Groundhogs are also voracious feeders that can devastate vegetable gardens and ornamental plantings.

Skunks

Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) den under decks, sheds, porches, and concrete stoops throughout Westchester. Beyond the obvious odor concern, skunks are classified as a rabies vector species in New York State, subject to the same handling regulations as raccoons. Our skunk management combines eviction techniques with structural exclusion to prevent denning access without the risk of a defensive spray response.

Our Approach: Removal, Exclusion, and Restoration

Wildlife control is not a single action - it is a three-phase process that must be executed in the correct sequence for lasting results.

Phase 1: Safe Removal

Every wildlife situation begins with species identification and a careful assessment of timing factors. Are young present? Is the species subject to seasonal restrictions? What is the safest and most humane removal method for the specific situation? We use live cage traps, one-way exclusion funnels, eviction deterrents (light, sound, scent), and manual extraction when appropriate - always prioritizing the safety of both the animal and the homeowner.

Phase 2: Structural Exclusion

Once all animals have been confirmed removed, we seal every identified entry point using materials appropriate to the species and location through our Home Shield Exclusion approach. This is the most critical phase - inadequate exclusion materials will be defeated by determined wildlife within days or weeks.

Our exclusion materials include:

• 16-gauge galvanized steel mesh for roof returns, soffit gaps, and vent openings
• Aluminum flashing for chimney cap installations and roof-wall intersections
• Expanding foam with embedded steel wool for pipe penetrations and irregular gaps
• Heavy-gauge copper mesh for weep holes and small crevices
• Commercial-grade chimney caps with wildlife-proof screening

Phase 3: Cleanup and Restoration

Animal activity leaves biological contamination that does not resolve on its own. Accumulated droppings, urine-saturated insulation, nesting debris, and ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, mites) left behind by wildlife require professional cleanup. We remove contaminated materials, apply antimicrobial treatment, and can coordinate with insulation contractors for replacement when damage is extensive.

Why Professional Wildlife Control Matters

Homeowner attempts at wildlife removal frequently result in incomplete exclusion, injury risk, legal violations (handling protected species without a license), and animals trapped inside walls or attics. New York State wildlife regulations are complex and species-specific, and violations can result in fines and legal liability.

Pristine Pest’s NYS DEC-licensed technicians bring the expertise, equipment, and legal authorization to resolve wildlife conflicts properly - humanely, permanently, and in full compliance with state regulations.

Contact us today to schedule a wildlife assessment for your Westchester County property.