Raccoons in East St. Louis and Southwest Illinois weigh between 6 and 25 pounds. They have black stripes on their tails and a mask across their eyes. Raccoons are nocturnal and can adapt to urban and rural lifestyles. They are omnivores, and whatever they can scavenge, they will consume. Foods they find to eat in a neighborhood include pet feed, birdseed, table scraps, bugs, nuts, garden crops, bird eggs, pond fish, and much more.

These critters have human-like hands; if you see a track in the mud, you may mistake it for a hand. Their hands make them excellent climbers and diggers, which can be damaging to your trees and lawn. They can turn doorknobs and open trash cans with ease. If they enter your attic or chimney, they will pull out insulation, scratch drywall, chew on wires, and break things.

Raccoons tend to create one spot as their bathroom area, called a latrine. Feces and urine can pile up quickly in this chosen spot, sending foul odors through your vents. Feces can grow mold spores that can harm humans if inhaled.

In Missouri, raccoons are classified as furbearers. Catching them requires a hunting and trapping license. While you can get rid of nuisance raccoons anytime, it is best to call a professional for help. They have safe and humane traps and safety equipment and understand the local laws and codes regarding animal testing for diseases.

More importantly, experts know how to handle raccoons during mating and maternity seasons, which can begin in February and end during summer. A mother must stay with her babies during removal. Experts also know which exclusions will work for your property. They may help you remove food and water sources, seal openings in your home, apply sanitization to latrine areas, and choose secure storage for feed and trash. When necessary, they can install tree and roof barriers.

In East St. Louis neighborhoods, you likely encounter squirrels daily. The ones you see most are the Eastern gray and the Eastern fox squirrels. The gray squirrels are smaller than the fox squirrels. They have white bellies and gray on the sides. Fox squirrels have reddish-yellow coloring.

Squirrels can build a nest in just a few hours. If they make a nest in your gutters, HVAC ducts, or chimneys, your home becomes susceptible to fire and water damage. Other damages from a squirrel include chewed siding, gnawed wires, shredded insulation, scratched drywall, broken shingles, holes in the lawn, stolen garden crops, and stripped bark from trees.

Damages happen when squirrels are scavenging for food, water, and shelter. They have a broad list of foods they will eat, such as nuts, grains, fruits, vegetables, bird eggs, field corn, and tree bark. They raid bird feeders and pet feed, too.

Squirrels play a significant role in the ecosystem by redistributing seeds and nuts across the area. Their constant collecting and gathering make them excellent treasure hunters and prepare them for cold winters.

To get rid of nuisance squirrels, know that maternity season is in the winter with a 45-day gestation period when up to eight babies can be born. It takes about six weeks or longer for newborns to become independent. Wildlife control experts know the importance of keeping the family together if removal must happen during this time.

In Missouri, squirrels are listed as game animals because they are fur-bearing. Hunting and trapping them can only be done in certain seasons and with a license. Nuisance squirrels can be managed anytime in the year, but you must follow the rules, like the size and type of traps and snares and where you can put them.

Wildlife experts have multiple tools to get rid of nuisance squirrels, such as fumigants, repellents, traps, and exclusion methods. Examples of exclusions include sealing all possible entrances into your home, installing fencing around gardens, putting tree and roof barriers, and removing food resources when possible. When not possible, better storage for food is an option. You don’t have to give up birdfeeders and can, instead, equip them with a squirrel barrier.

The striped skunk is the most common in East St. Louis. The skunk is like a raccoon in many ways. It is omnivorous and will eat just about anything, and they are considered fur-bearing game animals in Missouri. You can only hunt and trap them during certain seasons. While raccoons make nests in your attic, a skunk is more likely to be found in a crawlspace or basement.

Considered a slow-moving animal, a skunk can run up to 10 mph when necessary. They have terrible eyesight, however, and can only see about 10 feet in front of them. That doesn’t stop them from digging holes in your lawn, stealing fish from your pond, or raiding trash cans for leftovers. When a skunk feels threatened, it can release a spray with musk, which has a foul odor.

Skunks will typically move off your property after a week or two, but if one decides to stay, you should call a wildlife expert for help. They know how to eliminate a skunk without being sprayed with musk, using safe and humane traps when necessary. An expert can also help you prevent future skunk visits by sealing entry points to your home, removing food sources from your property, and adequately fencing garden crops.

Throughout East St. Louis, you can see bird nests in mailboxes, eaves, gutters, and door wreaths. It’s the nests you can’t see that can damage your property. For example, nests in dryer vents, HVAC vents, chimneys, and even vehicles.

Too many birds on your property can become a problem. They feed in large flocks, destroying garden or field crops. Their droppings contain corrosive acids and bacteria that can be harmful to humans. Depending on the bird species, they can become aggressive when they feel threatened. Other damage may include sagging wires, broken tree branches, and broken shingles or siding.

Birds like woodpeckers will drill holes in your home’s structure and surrounding trees, causing costly repairs. If a migratory bird joins the group and has diseases, it can pass them on to other birds, spreading the disease to native species. In bird droppings alone, more than 60 diseases can be carried and transmitted. Birds can carry ticks, lice, mites, and other parasites that can harm humans.

Because trapping and releasing a bird will not rid them of your property, call a wildlife expert to help eliminate your problem. They can use fumigants, repellents, netting, and barriers to prevent birds from roosting. The pros can help you seal eaves and entry points to your home, protect your garden, and apply sanitization to all areas with bird droppings.