The short version
Around Anchorage, the most common animals are red squirrels, red foxes and black bears. Identify yours first. Then get it out and seal the gap.
- Never handle a wild animal.
- Figure out which animal it is first.
- Check for babies before sealing.
- Use metal mesh, not foam.
- Secure trash and pet food.
Homeowners in Anchorage with an animal in the attic, walls, chimney or yard.
What to look for
Bears and moose wander into yards looking for food. Never approach a bear or a moose. Around Anchorage, red squirrels chew into homes, and foxes den under sheds.
- 1Scurrying in the attic during the day.
- 2Cone scraps piled on decks.
- 3Dug holes under sheds.
- 4Trash bins knocked over.
- 5Tracks in the snow near the house.
- 6Chewed siding or trim.
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Chewed wires and damaged insulation.
- Droppings that can spread disease.
- Babies make removal harder.
- Rabies risk from bites.
Treatment options and typical costs
Inspection and Species Identification
$100–$300
Expect an Anchorage inspector to check the roof from a ladder, not just the ground. Roof returns, gable vents, chimney flues, and soffit gaps are where most Anchorage attic entries happen, and none are visible from the driveway.
- Time
- 60–120 minutes
- Best for
- Every job; the species decides the method
Exclusion Repairs (Chimney Caps, Vent Screens, Foundation Mesh)
$300–$2,500+ depending on scope
Exclusion is the part of an Anchorage wildlife job that actually solves the problem long term. Chimney caps, steel vent covers, hardware cloth on soffit gaps, and buried mesh skirting around decks keep Anchorage animals out for years.
- Time
- Half a day to two days
- Best for
- Sealing the home after animals are out
Attic Cleanup, Sanitation, and Follow-Up
$500–$3,000+ depending on insulation removed
Cleanup in Anchorage is priced by how much insulation has to come out and go back in. A few soiled bays cost far less than a whole attic in Anchorage, so ask for the square footage in the quote.
- Time
- 1–2 days
- Best for
- Soiled insulation, droppings, odors, and re-checks
Humane Live Trapping and Removal
$150–$500 per animal, plus trip fees
Ask how many trap days are included. Clear answers separate careful operators from cheap ones.
- Time
- Several days to two weeks
- Best for
- Animals already inside or denning under structures
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
In the attic, look for flattened insulation, droppings and nests. Leave big cleanups to someone with the right gear.Animals around Anchorage.
Around Anchorage, the most common animals are red squirrels, red foxes, black bears and moose. Homes from Anchorage out to Wasilla see much the same mix.
Local wildlife conditions in Anchorage.
Anchorage sits in a subarctic climate, and that sets the pace for wildlife activity here: spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter). For Anchorage homes, the area is mostly urban, so wildlife pressure can differ from one block to the next depending on how tight the entry points are and how much food, water, or shelter is close by. An inspection in Anchorage usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Anchorage's seasonal timing lets you schedule treatment before the busy stretch rather than after it, which usually means faster service and a more accurate quote. A provider who works Anchorage and Alaska every day can point out the specific conditions that matter most here, and getting the scope, price, and follow-up terms in writing makes it easier to compare options.
Brush, mulch and fallen fruit near the house give animals cover and food. Keep the edges tidy.What’s that noise?
- Trash scattered overnight: possibly a bear. - Bark stripped from young trees: moose. - Scurrying by day: red squirrels. - Digging under a shed: a fox.
Baby season.
Never seal a hole while babies are still inside. Bat exclusion waits until pups can fly, usually by mid-August. Around Anchorage, most babies are born from about April through June. Mothers look for warm, dry spots like attics and chimneys.
A year of wildlife in Anchorage.
- Fall: squirrels store cones and move into attics. - Winter: lows near 11°F in Anchorage. Moose browse yards. - Spring: bears wake up hungry. Put bird feeders away. - Summer: foxes raise kits under sheds.
Red squirrels.
Red squirrels chew into attics, cabins and sheds. Seal gaps with metal and trim branches away from the roof.
Foxes.
Red foxes den under sheds and decks. Don't feed them, and keep small pets close.
Bears and trash.
Black bears learn fast where food is. Use bear-resistant bins and keep trash in a garage. Take bird feeders down in spring and summer.
Moose in the yard.
Moose browse yards in winter. Give them plenty of room, especially cows with calves. Fence young trees.
Porcupines.
Porcupines chew wood, siding and even tires for salt. Keep dogs away from them. Wrap young trees and close off crawl spaces.
Voles under the snow.
Voles tunnel under snow and chew bark off shrubs and young trees. You'll see the damage in spring. Wire guards around trunks help.
Little brown bats.
Little brown bats roost in attics and sheds in summer. Wait until the pups can fly before sealing them out.
Getting them out the right way.
- Door: a one-way door lets the animal leave. - Seal: heavy metal mesh on every gap. - Recheck: make sure nothing is trying to get back in. - Identify: figure out which animal it is. - Check: look for babies first.
Where animals get in.
- Uncapped chimneys. - Crawl-space doors and foundation vents. - Under decks, porches and sheds. - Roof vents and soffit corners. - Gaps where the roof meets the wall.
If an animal gets inside the house.
Keep kids and pets away. Is it a bat, and was someone asleep there? Call your health department first. Close interior doors so it stays in one room. Open an outside door or window in that room, then leave.
Droppings and cleanup.
- Wet droppings down, then bag them. - Large attic messes are a job for pros. - Don’t sweep or vacuum droppings dry. - Wear gloves, a mask and old clothes.
Keeping your yard less inviting.
- Birds: use a seed tray, and sweep up spills. - Fruit: pick up what falls. - Cover: clear brush and wood piles near the house. - Trash: locking lids, or keep bins in the garage. - Pets: feed them indoors.
Wildlife myths.
- Mothballs drive them out: they don’t, and they’re a health hazard. - Lights and radios work: only briefly. - Out in daylight means rabid: not always; mothers forage by day. - Moving them is kind: often illegal, and babies get left.
Birds in vents and chimneys.
Starlings and sparrows love dryer and bath vents. Most native birds are protected while nesting. Wait until the young have flown. Then fit a vent cover that still lets air out.
If an animal seems sick.
Staggering, circling or acting unafraid can mean illness. Keep people and pets inside. animal control or your local health department. Don't try to trap or touch it.
Pets and wildlife.
Keep pets' rabies shots up to date. Bring pets in at night. your vet if your pet tangles with a wild animal.
What a wildlife visit looks like.
They set a one-way door or trap. Later, they come back and seal up. Cleanup comes last. The tech walks the roofline and the foundation. They look for tracks, droppings and torn vents.
If a skunk sprays.
- Eyes: keep the mix out; rinse with cool water. - Clothes: wash with baking soda added to the load. - Under the house: air it out; the smell fades over days. - People and pets: wash with peroxide, baking soda and dish soap. - Tomato juice: it doesn’t really work.
Babies found alone.
Baby animals alone are often just waiting for a parent. Leave them be and watch from a distance for a day. Hurt or clearly orphaned? Call a wildlife rehabilitator.
Fencing that works.
- Gardens: hardware cloth beats chicken wire. - Gates: keep gaps underneath to a couple of inches. - Diggers: bury wire mesh a foot down, bent outward. - Climbers: an electric wire near the top stops raccoons.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- How will you handle babies? - What happens to the animal? - What will you seal with? - Is cleanup included? - Which animal is it? - Where is it getting in?
What affects the price
- Number of entry points that must be sealed.
- Trip fees for daily trap checks over multiple days.
- Chimney cap size and whether a flue liner is needed.
- Number of animals, since trapping is priced per animal.
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What worries you most about wildlife?
When to call for help
right away if one acts sick or aggressive. Babies and droppings need careful handling. Call if an animal is in the attic, walls or chimney.
What you can do yourself
Never corner or handle one. Secure trash, bring in pet food and trim branches. Getting an animal out of the house is a pro's job.
Wildlife in Anchorage
In Alaska, rabies is mostly found in foxes in the north and west of the state. For Anchorage homes, animals live comfortably in town, using alleys, storm drains and older buildings. Winter lows near 11°F in Anchorage send animals into attics and crawl spaces in fall.
Local research
Wildlife in Anchorage, AK: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which wildlife actually live in Alaska, when they are busiest around Anchorage, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
When wildlife are busiest around Anchorage
Fall/winter den-seeking; June-July bat blackout. Upper Midwest: bats and skunks are the reservoirs; raccoon rabies absent.
Based on Anchorage’s subarctic climate profile.
For context, nationally
- Around 4,000; more than 90% in wildlife — Animal rabies cases reported per year. CDC
- More than 20% each — Skunks and foxes that expose people or pets and are rabid. CDC
Sources: CDC. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources
Simple ways to keep wildlife away
- Use locking or strapped trash lids.
- Bring pet food in at night.
- Cap the chimney.
- Trim branches back from the roof.
- Bury wire mesh around decks and sheds.
- Pick up fallen fruit and spilled bird seed.
Ask which animal it is, how babies will be handled, and whether sealing and cleanup are included.Did you know?
Skunk spray can be smelled by humans a mile downwind
Groundhogs whistle to warn each other, earning the name whistle-pig
Questions people ask
Is wildlife removal humane?
It can be. One-way doors let animals leave on their own.
Do wildlife pros use poison?
Poisons aren't used on wildlife like raccoons or squirrels. Ask what any chemical is for. No.
Can I trap the animal myself?
Check Alaska's rules first. Trapping can catch the wrong animal or orphan babies.
What animal is in my attic?
Scurrying by day usually means red squirrels. Flying squirrels are busy at night.
How do I choose a wildlife company?
Look for someone licensed for wildlife work in Alaska. Ask how they handle babies and what they seal with.
Which animals are most common around Anchorage?
Mostly red squirrels, red foxes, black bears and moose.
When are wild animal babies born in Anchorage?
Usually from about April through June. Don't seal a hole while babies are inside.
Nearby cities
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Sources (9)
The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Wildlife Exterminator · Updated September 11, 2026 · How we write these guides