The short version
Around El Paso, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels and skunks. 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 El Paso with an animal in the attic, walls, chimney or yard.
What to look for
Around El Paso, the usual animals are raccoons, squirrels, skunks and bats. Each one gets in differently and needs a different fix. Babies are usually born from about March through June.
- 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
Ask what happens after the door comes off. The device comes off and the hole is closed with metal.
- 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 El Paso: 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
A full exclusion seals every opening an animal could use. The provider should list what was sealed and where.
- 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 El Paso.
Around El Paso, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels, skunks and bats.
Local wildlife conditions in El Paso.
Across El Paso, 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 El Paso usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing El Paso'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 El Paso and Texas 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. El Paso sits in a hot desert climate, and that sets the pace for wildlife activity here: spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter).
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. - A strong smell under the deck: skunks. - Rustling at dusk at the roof edge: bats. - Heavy thumps at night: raccoons.
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 El Paso, most babies are born from about March through June.
A year of wildlife in El Paso.
- Spring: babies are born from about March through June. Don't seal while young are inside. - Winter: mild in El Paso, so animals stay active. - Fall: animals hunt for winter dens. Seal gaps now. - Summer: highs near 95°F in El Paso. Animals roam at night.
Raccoons.
They tear open vents and roof edges. Heavy thumps at night usually mean a raccoon. Never handle one.
Tree squirrels.
Squirrels are busy at dawn and dusk. They chew small gaps into bigger holes, and wires too.
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. - Recheck: make sure nothing is trying to get back in. - Seal: heavy metal mesh on every gap. - Door: a one-way door lets the animal leave. - Check: look for babies first.
Where animals get in.
- Roof vents and soffit corners. - Under decks, porches and sheds. - Crawl-space doors and foundation vents. - Uncapped chimneys. - Gaps where the roof meets the wall.
If an animal gets inside the house.
Is it a bat, and was someone asleep there? Keep kids and pets away. Open an outside door or window in that room, then leave. Close interior doors so it stays in one room. Call your health department first.
Droppings and cleanup.
- Don’t sweep or vacuum droppings dry. - Large attic messes are a job for pros. - Wet droppings down, then bag them. - Wear gloves, a mask and old clothes.
Keeping your yard less inviting.
- Trash: locking lids, or keep bins in the garage. - Cover: clear brush and wood piles near the house. - Fruit: pick up what falls. - Birds: use a seed tray, and sweep up spills. - Pets: feed them indoors.
Wildlife myths.
- Out in daylight means rabid: not always; mothers forage by day. - Lights and radios work: only briefly. - Mothballs drive them out: they don’t, and they’re a health hazard. - Moving them is kind: often illegal, and babies get left.
Birds in vents and chimneys.
Then fit a vent cover that still lets air out. Wait until the young have flown. Most native birds are protected while nesting. Starlings and sparrows love dryer and bath vents. Chimney swifts nest in chimneys in summer and leave in fall.
If an animal seems sick.
animal control or your local health department. Keep people and pets inside. Staggering, circling or acting unafraid can mean illness. Don't try to trap or touch it.
Pets and wildlife.
Bring pets in at night. Keep pets' rabies shots up to date. your vet if your pet tangles with a wild animal.
What a wildlife visit looks like.
Later, they come back and seal up. They set a one-way door or trap. They look for tracks, droppings and torn vents. The tech walks the roofline and the foundation. Cleanup comes last.
If a skunk sprays.
- People and pets: wash with peroxide, baking soda and dish soap. - Under the house: air it out; the smell fades over days. - Clothes: wash with baking soda added to the load. - Eyes: keep the mix out; rinse with cool water. - Tomato juice: it doesn’t really work.
Babies found alone.
Hurt or clearly orphaned? Leave them be and watch from a distance for a day. Baby animals alone are often just waiting for a parent. Call a wildlife rehabilitator.
Fencing that works.
- Diggers: bury wire mesh a foot down, bent outward. - Gates: keep gaps underneath to a couple of inches. - Gardens: hardware cloth beats chicken wire. - Climbers: an electric wire near the top stops raccoons.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- Which animal is it? - Is cleanup included? - What will you seal with? - What happens to the animal? - How will you handle babies? - Where is it getting in?
What affects the price
- Roof height and pitch affecting ladder or lift needs.
- Whether young are present and need hand removal.
- Permit, relocation, or disposal rules in your state.
- Warranty length on exclusion work and sealed points.
- Presence of a raccoon latrine requiring special cleanup.
- Trip fees for daily trap checks over multiple days.
📊
What worries you most about wildlife?
When to call for help
Babies and droppings need careful handling. right away if one acts sick or aggressive. Call if an animal is in the attic, walls or chimney.
What you can do yourself
Secure trash, bring in pet food and trim branches. Getting an animal out of the house is a pro's job. Never corner or handle one.
Wildlife in El Paso
Across El Paso, animals live comfortably in town, using alleys, storm drains and older buildings. In Texas, skunks and bats carry most rabies. Summer highs near 95°F in El Paso push most animal activity into the night. With only about 9 inches of rain a year in El Paso, animals go looking for water near homes. Winter lows near 33°F in El Paso slow animals down, but don't stop them.
Local research
Wildlife in El Paso, TX: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which wildlife actually live in Texas, when they are busiest around El Paso, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
Nuisance Wildlife species recorded in Texas
- Raccoon (Procyon lotor) — Top terrestrial rabies vector in the East; relocation banned in most states.
- Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) — Primary rabies reservoir in Texas and the central U.S.; Illinois requires euthanasia of trapped striped skunks.
- Gray fox / red fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus / Vulpes vulpes) — Rabies vector species in MD and PA; Texas bans transport of live foxes.
- Coyote (Canis latrans) — Texas bans transport of live coyotes; Maryland operators release on site.
When wildlife are busiest around El Paso
Skunk peak April; bat peak October.
Relocation requires TPWD authorization plus a monthly report.
Rules that apply in Texas
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: Texas Department of State Health Services, Zoonosis Control; Rabies in the United States: Protecting Public Health; Class A (commercial) Nuisance Wildlife Control Permit study packet (17 Ill. Adm. Code 525); COMAR 08.03.15 Wildlife Damage Control Operator regulations; Nuisance Fur-bearing Animals (Outdoor Annual). 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?
Flying squirrels glide up to 150 feet using a skin membrane
Opossums play dead involuntarily; the response is a fainting reflex
Questions people ask
Do wildlife pros use poison?
Ask what any chemical is for. Poisons aren't used on wildlife like raccoons or squirrels. No.
What if there are babies in the attic?
Around El Paso, babies are usually born from about March through June. A pro finds them and reunites them with the mother.
How do I get rid of a groundhog?
Groundhogs are rare here. A digger under the shed is likely a skunk.
How do I choose a wildlife company?
Look for someone licensed for wildlife work in Texas. Ask how they handle babies and what they seal with.
What animal is in my attic?
Quick scurrying at dawn: squirrels. Rustling at dusk: bats.
Which animals are most common around El Paso?
Mostly raccoons, squirrels, skunks and bats.
When are wild animal babies born in El Paso?
Usually from about March through June. Don't seal a hole while babies are inside.
Nearby cities
Related guides
Sources (16)
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