Raccoon, Squirrel, and Bat Removal
Three animals drive most attic and roof calls around Chattanooga: raccoons, squirrels, and bats. They do not act alike, damage alike, or leave the same clues. Treating them as one generic “critter” problem is how homes end up with repeat visits.
Call (423) 831-2209 for humane removal and exclusion matched to the species you actually have.
Raccoons: night shift, heavy feet, big mess
Raccoons work after dark. Homeowners describe thumps that feel like someone walking in the attic, rolling, or dragging. They are strong enough to pull loose soffit, widen a weak vent, and tear into insulation for bedding.
What you notice
- Loud night activity that pauses, then resumes
- Larger droppings than squirrel or rodent pellets
- Torn insulation nests and scattered debris
- Grease rub marks at entry points
- Pet food or trash raiding that coincides with attic noise
Why they pick your house
Mature trees near the roof, open chimneys, damaged fascia, and easy crawl or attic access pull them in. Lake-adjacent and wooded suburban lots see steady pressure because raccoons travel green edges and then hop to structures.
How we handle them
We confirm activity windows, locate entries, remove animals humanely, and close the structural gaps. Raccoon work fails when someone traps once and leaves a soft soffit corner open. Exclusion is part of the job, not an optional add-on.
Damage to watch
Chewed ductwork, soaked insulation, contaminated attic floors, and compromised vents. If you smell a strong ammonia-like odor that will not fade, do not ignore it.
Squirrels: daytime racers and wire chewers
Eastern gray squirrels are the classic daytime attic guest. Flying squirrels show up more at night and are quieter, which confuses homeowners who think “night equals raccoon” every time.
Eastern gray squirrels
- Active in daylight, especially morning and late day
- Fast scratching and racing along joists
- Nesting with leaves, insulation, and scraps
- Heavy chewing on wood, plastic vents, and wiring
Flying squirrels
- Night activity with lighter sounds
- Often enter through smaller gaps
- Can nest in groups in attics and wall voids
Why they pick your house
Overhanging limbs are squirrel highways. Power lines help too. A one-inch-plus gap at a soffit return or roof edge is enough. Neighborhoods with mature canopy against the roof see this constantly.
How we handle them
Find the travel path, remove or exclude properly, then seal with materials squirrels cannot chew through in a weekend. Temporary plastic or thin screen does not last.
Damage to watch
Electrical wire jackets, ridge vent screens, and insulation tunnels. A quiet week after a DIY block can mean the animal chewed a new hole two feet over.
Bats: quiet roosts, guano clues, timing rules
Bats in this region often use attics and unused upper spaces as roosts. Big Brown and Little Brown style colonies favor dark, stable spaces with small entry slots at ridges, louvers, or gaps behind fascia.
What you notice
- Soft fluttering near dusk or dawn
- Little daytime noise compared with squirrels
- Guano piles under roost spots (crumbly, not tubular like raccoon)
- Staining at exterior exit points
- Occasional sightings leaving the roofline at sunset
Why they pick your house
Small openings are features, not bugs, for bats. Older vents, warped fascia, and unscreened gaps stay attractive year after year. Once a roost is established, bats return to the same structure.
How we handle them
Bat work is exclusion-minded and timing-aware. We inspect, identify roost use, and plan sealing with proper one-way methods when appropriate. We do not treat bats like squirrels with a copied checklist.
Important timing note
Tennessee maternity-colony exclusion is generally restricted about May 1 through August 1. You can still have the home inspected and a plan written anytime. Confirm timing with a TWRA-aware operator before any bat exclusion. We will not overclaim legal authority; local rules and season matter, and we stay inside them.
Damage and health notes
Guano buildup, odor, and stained insulation are the main attic issues. Do not sweep piles dry in a closed attic without a plan. Ask about cleanup options after exclusion is set.
Side-by-side: how to tell them apart quickly
| Clue | Likely raccoon | Likely squirrel | Likely bat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time of noise | Night | Day (gray); night (flying) | Dusk/dawn flutter |
| Sound | Heavy thumps | Fast scratching/racing | Soft, intermittent |
| Droppings | Large, tubular | Small pellets | Crumbly guano piles |
| Entry size | Larger gaps, chimneys | Soffit/roof edge gaps | Narrow slots |
| Typical mess | Torn insulation, strong odor | Chews, nests, wire damage | Guano under roost |
This table is a starting point, not a lab test. Mixed signs happen when more than one species has used the same attic over time.
What a species-focused visit includes
We start with your timeline: when noise happens, what you have found, and any DIY sealing already in place. Then we inspect exterior travel routes and attic or crawl access. Removal method matches the animal. Exclusion closes the actual holes, not just the obvious one. If cleanup is needed, we say so plainly.
Mice, rats, skunks, opossums, and snakes can appear in the same neighborhoods, especially near crawls and decks. If the clues point that way, the plan shifts. You still get a clear explanation instead of a one-size script.
FAQ for raccoon, squirrel, and bat calls
Can one visit cover all three?+-
One visit can diagnose and start the right path. Methods differ, especially for bats, so the schedule may include follow-up for exclusion timing or rechecks.
Will mothballs or ultrasonic gadgets fix it?+-
Usually no. Animals ignore gadgets and return to food, warmth, and open gaps. Sealing and proper removal beat folklore.
What if I only see one squirrel?+-
There may be a nest or more animals using the same entry. We check for that instead of assuming a solo guest.
Are bats protected in a way that blocks all work?+-
Seasonal restrictions around maternity colonies are real. Inspection and planning remain available. Confirm timing with a TWRA-aware operator for exclusion windows.
Other services
Call for the species you actually have
Do not wait for the noise to “settle down.” Call (423) 831-2209. Tell us day or night, what you have seen, and your city. We remove raccoons, squirrels, and bats humanely and close the ways they got in.