The short version
Around Auburn, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels and opossums. 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.
Anyone in Auburn dealing with wild animals around the house.
What to look for
Each one gets in differently and needs a different fix. Babies are usually born from about March through June. Around Auburn, the usual animals are raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks and bats.
- 1Scratching or thumping in the attic.
- 2Torn vents, soffits or shingles.
- 3A musky or skunky smell.
- 4Dug holes under decks or sheds.
- 5Trash bins knocked over.
- 6Droppings on decks or in the attic.
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
The inspection starts with the animal: tracks, droppings, hair and the size of the hole. Ask for photos of each entry point.
- Time
- 60–120 minutes
- Best for
- Every job; the species decides the method
One-Way Doors and Eviction
$200–$600
Eviction devices work best for squirrels and adult raccoons in Auburn when every other opening has already been sealed. Leave one gap unsealed and the animal simply moves to it.
- Time
- 3–7 days
- Best for
- Squirrels, raccoons, and birds using a single main entry
Attic Cleanup, Sanitation, and Follow-Up
$500–$3,000+ depending on insulation removed
Odor and scent trails are a real issue in Auburn: leftover raccoon or squirrel scent tells the next animal that this attic was a good den. Sanitizing removes the invitation along with the mess.
- Time
- 1–2 days
- Best for
- Soiled insulation, droppings, odors, and re-checks
Exclusion Repairs (Chimney Caps, Vent Screens, Foundation Mesh)
$300–$2,500+ depending on scope
Sealing work often comes with a warranty of a year or more; ask that it cover chimney caps and vent screens, the Auburn points most often reopened. Ask what it covers; the repair is the real value.
- Time
- Half a day to two days
- Best for
- Sealing the home after animals are out
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 Auburn.
Around Auburn, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks and bats. Homes from Auburn out to Kent and Federal Way see much the same mix.
Local wildlife conditions in Auburn.
A provider who works Auburn and Washington 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. Auburn sits in a marine west coast climate, and that sets the pace for wildlife activity here: spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter). Across Auburn, the area is mostly suburban, 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 Auburn usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Auburn'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.
Walk the foundation with a flashlight. Gaps at ground level let animals under the house.What’s that noise?
- Quick scurrying at dawn and dusk: squirrels. - Heavy thumps at night: raccoons. - Rustling at dusk at the roof edge: bats. - A strong smell under the deck: skunks.
Baby season.
Mothers look for warm, dry spots like attics and chimneys. Never seal a hole while babies are still inside. Bat exclusion waits until pups can fly, usually by mid-August. Around Auburn, most babies are born from about March through June.
A year of wildlife in Auburn.
- Spring: babies are born from about March through June. Don't seal while young are inside. - Summer: highs near 77°F in Auburn. Animals roam at night. - Fall: animals hunt for winter dens. Seal gaps now. - Winter: mild in Auburn, so animals stay active.
Raccoons.
Heavy thumps at night usually mean a raccoon. They tear open vents and roof edges. Never handle one.
Tree squirrels.
Squirrels are busy at dawn and dusk. They chew small gaps into bigger holes, and wires too.
Opossums.
Opossums are quiet, slow and mostly harmless. They move into crawl spaces and under decks.
Skunks.
Skunks den under decks, sheds and porches. A strong smell after dark is the giveaway.
Bats.
Bats slip through gaps as small as a thumb. Look for droppings under a gap at the roofline.
Getting them out the right way.
- Identify: figure out which animal it is. - Check: look for babies first. - 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.
Where animals get in.
- Roof vents and soffit corners. - Gaps where the roof meets the wall. - Uncapped chimneys. - Crawl-space doors and foundation vents. - Under decks, porches and sheds.
If an animal gets inside the house.
Open an outside door or window in that room, then leave. 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.
Droppings and cleanup.
- Don’t sweep or vacuum droppings dry. - Wear gloves, a mask and old clothes. - Wet droppings down, then bag them. - Large attic messes are a job for pros.
Keeping your yard less inviting.
- Trash: locking lids, or keep bins in the garage. - Pets: feed them indoors. - Birds: use a seed tray, and sweep up spills. - Fruit: pick up what falls. - Cover: clear brush and wood piles near the house.
Wildlife myths.
- Out in daylight means rabid: not always; mothers forage by day. - Moving them is kind: often illegal, and babies get left. - Mothballs drive them out: they don’t, and they’re a health hazard. - Lights and radios work: only briefly.
Birds in vents and chimneys.
Then fit a vent cover that still lets air out. Starlings and sparrows love dryer and bath vents. Most native birds are protected while nesting. Wait until the young have flown.
If an animal seems sick.
Don't try to trap or touch it. Staggering, circling or acting unafraid can mean illness. Keep people and pets inside. animal control or your local health department.
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 look for tracks, droppings and torn vents. 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.
If a skunk sprays.
- People and pets: wash with peroxide, baking soda and dish soap. - Tomato juice: it doesn’t really work. - 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.
Babies found alone.
Call a wildlife rehabilitator. 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?
Fencing that works.
- Diggers: bury wire mesh a foot down, bent outward. - Climbers: an electric wire near the top stops raccoons. - Gardens: hardware cloth beats chicken wire. - Gates: keep gaps underneath to a couple of inches.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- Which animal is it? - Where is it getting in? - How will you handle babies? - What happens to the animal? - What will you seal with? - Is cleanup included?
What affects the price
- Roof height and pitch affecting ladder or lift needs.
- Protected bird species requiring seasonal timing.
- Damage to ductwork, wiring, or vents needing repair.
- Square feet of insulation removed and replaced.
- Warranty length on exclusion work and sealed points.
- Length of deck or shed perimeter needing buried mesh.
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What worries you most about wildlife?
When to call for help
Babies and droppings need careful handling. Call if an animal is in the attic, walls or chimney. right away if one acts sick or aggressive.
What you can do yourself
Getting an animal out of the house is a pro's job. Secure trash, bring in pet food and trim branches. Never corner or handle one.
Wildlife in Auburn
Auburn has a marine west coast climate, and wildlife activity here tends to pick up spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter). Across Auburn, most of the housing is suburban, so the usual entry points, moisture spots, and sheltered areas near the structure are what an inspection checks first. Across Auburn, take a minute to note where you have seen activity and when it appears, so the inspection is faster and the quote more accurate. A local provider who knows Auburn and Washington can point out the specific conditions that matter most here before you commit to a plan. Winter lows near 36°F in Auburn slow animals down, but don't stop them. In Washington, bats are the animal most often found with rabies. In Auburn's neighborhoods, decks, sheds and trash bins draw animals in.
Local research
Wildlife in Auburn, WA: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which wildlife actually live in Washington, when they are busiest around Auburn, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
Old World rats
Native wildlife such as bats and native squirrels are protected.
WDFWNuisance Wildlife species recorded in Washington
- Raccoon (Procyon lotor) — Top terrestrial rabies vector in the East; relocation banned in most states.
- Big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) — Most common building bat; protected with maternity-season exclusion limits.
When wildlife are busiest around Auburn
Spring litters; fall den-seeking. Pacific Northwest: bats are the only rabies carrier; raccoon and squirrel conflicts are structural.
Based on Auburn’s marine west coast climate profile.
Rules that apply in Washington
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: Washington State Department of Health; WDFW; Rabies in the United States: Protecting Public Health; Impacted Bats. 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.
Metal mesh keeps animals out of vents for good. Foam and light screen won't hold.Did you know?
Flying squirrels glide up to 150 feet using a skin membrane
Starlings were introduced to North America in 1890 in Central Park
Questions people ask
Are bird nests protected?
Most native bird nests are protected by federal law. Starlings, house sparrows and pigeons aren't.
Is wildlife removal humane?
It can be. One-way doors let animals leave on their own.
What animal is in my attic?
Quick scurrying at dawn: squirrels. Rustling at dusk: bats.
How do I choose a wildlife company?
Look for someone licensed for wildlife work in Washington. Ask how they handle babies and what they seal with.
Can the animal just be relocated?
Many states, Washington included in some cases, limit moving trapped animals. Ask your provider. Often not.
How much do homeowners typically spend dealing with nuisance wildlife?
Across Auburn, nuisance wildlife is usually removed by trapping, then the entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot move into the same spot. Across Auburn, because many animals are protected by state rules, removal has to be done legally, and a written plan should spell out removal, exclusion, and cleanup.
Which animals are most common around Auburn?
Mostly raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks and bats.
When are wild animal babies born in Auburn?
Usually from about March through June. Don't seal a hole while babies are inside.
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Sources (10)
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