The short version
Around Gilbert, 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.
Anyone in Gilbert dealing with wild animals around the house.
What to look for
Around Gilbert, 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 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
A good inspection covers the roofline, attic and foundation. It ends with a list of every gap that needs sealing.
- 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 Gilbert: 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.
Crawl spaces are a favorite den. Check the vent screens and the access door.Animals around Gilbert.
Around Gilbert, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels, skunks, pack rats, rock squirrels, javelina and bats. Homes from Gilbert out to Chandler and Mesa see much the same mix. In the desert around Gilbert, pack rats and rock squirrels are as common as raccoons.
Local wildlife conditions in Gilbert.
Gilbert sits in a hot desert climate, and that sets the pace for wildlife activity here: spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter). In Gilbert, 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 Gilbert usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Gilbert'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 Gilbert 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.
Brush, mulch and fallen fruit near the house give animals cover and food. Keep the edges tidy.What’s that noise?
- A strong smell under the deck: skunks. - Rustling at dusk at the roof edge: bats. - Heavy thumps at night: raccoons. - Quick scurrying at dawn and dusk: squirrels.
Baby season.
Around Gilbert, most babies are born from about March through June. 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.
A year of wildlife in Gilbert.
- Winter: mild in Gilbert, so animals stay active. - Fall: animals hunt for winter dens. Seal gaps now. - Summer: highs near 106°F in Gilbert. Animals roam at night. - Spring: babies are born from about March through June. Don't seal while young are inside.
Raccoons.
Never handle one. They tear open vents and roof edges. Heavy thumps at night usually mean a raccoon.
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.
- 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. - Identify: figure out which animal it is.
Where animals get in.
- Under decks, porches and sheds. - Crawl-space doors and foundation vents. - Uncapped chimneys. - Gaps where the roof meets the wall. - Roof vents and soffit corners.
If an animal gets inside the house.
Call your health department first. 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.
Droppings and cleanup.
- Large attic messes are a job for pros. - Wet droppings down, then bag them. - Wear gloves, a mask and old clothes. - Don’t sweep or vacuum droppings dry.
Keeping your yard less inviting.
- 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. - Trash: locking lids, or keep bins in the garage.
Wildlife myths.
- 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. - Out in daylight means rabid: not always; mothers forage by day.
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.
If an animal seems sick.
Don't try to trap or touch it. animal control or your local health department. Keep people and pets inside. Staggering, circling or acting unafraid can mean illness.
Pets and wildlife.
your vet if your pet tangles with a wild animal. Bring pets in at night. Keep pets' rabies shots up to date.
What a wildlife visit looks like.
Cleanup comes last. 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.
If a skunk sprays.
- 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. - People and pets: wash with peroxide, baking soda and dish soap.
Babies found alone.
Call a wildlife rehabilitator. 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.
Fencing that works.
- Gates: keep gaps underneath to a couple of inches. - Gardens: hardware cloth beats chicken wire. - Climbers: an electric wire near the top stops raccoons. - Diggers: bury wire mesh a foot down, bent outward.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- Is cleanup included? - What will you seal with? - What happens to the animal? - How will you handle babies? - Where is it getting in? - Which animal is it?
What affects the price
- Length of deck or shed perimeter needing buried mesh.
- Presence of a raccoon latrine requiring special cleanup.
- Materials used: steel and hardware cloth over foam.
- Number of entry points that must be sealed.
- Roof height and pitch affecting ladder or lift needs.
- Damage to ductwork, wiring, or vents needing repair.
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What worries you most about wildlife?
When to call for help
Call if an animal is in the attic, walls or chimney. right away if one acts sick or aggressive. Babies and droppings need careful handling.
What you can do yourself
Getting an animal out of the house is a pro's job. Never corner or handle one. Secure trash, bring in pet food and trim branches.
Wildlife in Gilbert
In Gilbert's neighborhoods, decks, sheds and trash bins draw animals in. In Arizona, foxes, skunks and bats carry most rabies cases. Summer highs near 106°F in Gilbert push most animal activity into the night. With only about 9 inches of rain a year in Gilbert, animals go looking for water near homes. Winter lows near 41°F in Gilbert slow animals down, but don't stop them.
Local research
Wildlife in Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
When wildlife are busiest around Gilbert
April skunk peak, October bat peak. Texas 2024 monthly peaks were driven by skunks in April and bats in October.
Based on Gilbert’s hot desert 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.
Metal mesh keeps animals out of vents for good. Foam and light screen won't hold.Did you know?
A raccoon's mask likely reduces glare and improves night vision
Flying squirrels glide up to 150 feet using a skin membrane
Questions people ask
Can the animal just be relocated?
Ask your provider. Many states, Arizona included in some cases, limit moving trapped animals. Often not.
How do I choose a wildlife company?
Look for someone licensed for wildlife work in Arizona. Ask how they handle babies and what they seal with.
Is wildlife removal humane?
It can be. One-way doors let animals leave on their own.
Do wildlife pros use poison?
Ask what any chemical is for. Poisons aren't used on wildlife like raccoons or squirrels. No.
What season is worst for wildlife problems?
Spring babies and fall den-hunting are busiest. Mild winters in Gilbert keep animals active year-round.
What do homeowners actually do about wildlife in the yard?
In Gilbert, nuisance wildlife is usually removed by trapping, then the entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot move into the same spot. In Gilbert, 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 Gilbert?
Mostly raccoons, squirrels, skunks, pack rats, rock squirrels, javelina and bats.
When are wild animal babies born in Gilbert?
Usually from about March 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