The short version
Around Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff with an animal in the attic, walls, chimney or yard.
What to look for
Around Flagstaff, the usual animals are raccoons, squirrels, skunks, pack rats, rock squirrels, javelina and bats. Each one gets in differently and needs a different fix. Babies are usually born from about April 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 is the cheapest step, and it prevents mistakes. Ask for entry-point photos and a written, ordered plan.
- Time
- 60–120 minutes
- Best for
- Every job; the species decides the method
Humane Live Trapping and Removal
$150–$500 per animal, plus trip fees
For a skunk under a porch in Flagstaff, providers use covered traps and slow, quiet handling to keep the animal calm. Skunks spray when startled, so technique beats speed.
- Time
- Several days to two weeks
- Best for
- Animals already inside or denning under structures
Attic Cleanup, Sanitation, and Follow-Up
$500–$3,000+ depending on insulation removed
A follow-up visit a few weeks after exclusion is standard practice in Flagstaff. Each sealed spot is checked for new damage.
- Time
- 1–2 days
- Best for
- Soiled insulation, droppings, odors, and re-checks
One-Way Doors and Eviction
$200–$600
A one-way door is a hinged or funnel-style exit fitted over the animal's main entry hole in Flagstaff. The animal leaves and can't get back in. Then the gap is repaired.
- Time
- 3–7 days
- Best for
- Squirrels, raccoons, and birds using a single main entry
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 Flagstaff.
Around Flagstaff, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels, skunks, pack rats, rock squirrels, javelina and bats. In the desert around Flagstaff, pack rats and rock squirrels are as common as raccoons.
Local wildlife conditions in Flagstaff.
Across Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Flagstaff'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 Flagstaff and Arizona 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. Flagstaff sits in a mountain semi-arid 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 Flagstaff, most babies are born from about April through June.
A year of wildlife in Flagstaff.
- Spring: babies are born from about April through June. Don't seal while young are inside. - Winter: lows near 17°F in Flagstaff. Animals den up in attics. - Fall: animals hunt for winter dens. Seal gaps now. - Summer: highs near 82°F in Flagstaff. Animals roam at night.
Raccoons.
They tear open vents and roof edges. Heavy thumps at night usually mean a raccoon. Never handle one.
Rock squirrels and ground squirrels.
Rock squirrels dig under patios and walls. Some climb into attics and block walls.
Skunks.
Skunks den under decks, sheds and porches. A strong smell after dark is the giveaway.
Pack rats.
Pack rats build big stick nests in yards and engine bays. Clear brush piles and check parked cars.
Javelina.
Javelina root through gardens and trash at dusk. Don't feed them, and keep dogs away from them.
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.
Wait until the young have flown. Most native birds are protected while nesting. Starlings and sparrows love dryer and bath vents. Then fit a vent cover that still lets air out.
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
- Chimney cap size and whether a flue liner is needed.
- Materials used: steel and hardware cloth over foam.
- Whether young are present and need hand removal.
- Length of deck or shed perimeter needing buried mesh.
- Roof height and pitch affecting ladder or lift needs.
- Number of entry points that must be sealed.
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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
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 Flagstaff
An inspection in Flagstaff that starts outside and works inward usually finds the entry points, moisture, and shelter that matter most before anyone treats. Flagstaff has a mountain semi-arid climate, and wildlife activity here tends to follow spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter). In Flagstaff's neighborhoods, decks, sheds and trash bins draw animals in. In Arizona, foxes, skunks and bats carry most rabies cases. Winter lows near 17°F in Flagstaff send animals into attics and crawl spaces in fall.
Local research
Wildlife in Flagstaff, AZ: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which wildlife actually live in Arizona, when they are busiest around Flagstaff, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
When wildlife are busiest around Flagstaff
April-August denning; May-July bat blackout. Mid-Atlantic and Southeast NWCO rules require on-site release or euthanasia of vector species.
Based on Flagstaff’s mountain semi-arid 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?
Starlings were introduced to North America in 1890 in Central Park
Skunk spray can be smelled by humans a mile downwind
Questions people ask
What animal is in my attic?
Quick scurrying at dawn: squirrels. Rustling at dusk: bats.
Is wildlife removal humane?
It can be. One-way doors let animals leave on their own.
Are bird nests protected?
Most native bird nests are protected by federal law. Starlings, house sparrows and pigeons aren't.
Will the animals come back?
Others will try. Sealing every gap with metal is what keeps them out.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildlife damage?
Ask your insurer. Gradual chewing often isn't covered. Sometimes, for sudden damage.
What do homeowners actually do about wildlife in the yard?
Across Flagstaff, nuisance wildlife is usually removed by trapping, then the entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot move into the same spot. Across Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff?
Mostly raccoons, squirrels, skunks, pack rats, rock squirrels, javelina and bats.
When are wild animal babies born in Flagstaff?
Usually from about April through June. Don't seal a hole while babies are inside.
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Sources (8)
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