The short version
In Montana the pull is warmth and water, not food alone. With median winter lows near 13F and only 14 inches of precipitation a year, a heated building offers both, so attics, crawlspaces and outbuildings fill up from September onward. Identify the animal from the sound timing and the droppings first, then buy the sealing work rather than a single removal.
- Spring and fall are peak seasons for wildlife intrusions in Montana.
- Common nuisance species: raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, and bats.
- Humane exclusion is the only permanent solution; trapping alone is temporary.
- Montana regulations protect many species; always hire a licensed professional.
For Montana homeowners hearing movement overhead, people with barns, shops and detached garages that have quietly hosted a bat colony for years, and anyone who wants to compare two quotes without guessing. It also suits property owners around Bozeman and Missoula whose newer construction has already opened seams at the trim after a few dry seasons.
What to look for
With roughly 14 inches of precipitation a year and humidity near 59 percent, wood does not rot the way it does in the Southeast. Montana's dryness changes how buildings fail and therefore how animals get in. Bats occupy the seams themselves, and in outbuildings around Great Falls, Butte and the smaller towns, a colony can hold the same roost for many years without anyone noticing. Skunks work the ground, digging under decks, stoops and shop slabs where the soil thaws first. Raccoons and squirrels take the roof, using soffit returns and gable ends. What comes through those gaps depends on the level. Summer highs near 85F and winter lows around 13F mean a nearly seventy degree annual range, and every cycle works the joints a little more. The temperature swing does the rest. Those are not chewed holes, they are manufactured ones, and a bat needs nothing larger. Trim boards pull away from their fasteners, siding joints open, and the gap between a fascia board and the roof deck widens quietly over several seasons. It shrinks.
- 1Scratching, scurrying, or thumping sounds in the attic or walls, especially at night.
- 2Droppings (scat) near entry points or in attic spaces; bat guano piles under roosts.
- 3Gnaw marks on wood, wires, or plastic; holes in siding or soffits.
- 4Strong odors from urine, feces, or dead animals (e.g., skunk spray).
- 5Visible tracks or rub marks on walls, ducts, or insulation.
- 6Damaged vents, loose shingles, or chimney caps displaced.
- 7Pet or human encounters with wildlife on the property (e.g., raccoons at trash cans).
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Structural damage from gnawing and nesting can lead to costly repairs.
- Fire hazard from chewed electrical wires.
- Health risks from diseases carried by wildlife and their droppings.
- Secondary infestations of insects attracted to carcasses or droppings.
- Legal issues if protected species are harmed or if exclusion is done incorrectly.
Treatment options and typical costs
Inspection of the whole envelope
Quoted after inspection
Someone walks the roof edge, gable ends, foundation line and any outbuildings to confirm the species and count openings. In dry country the entry is often a shrinkage seam rather than an obvious hole, so ask the inspector to show you each one rather than just report a total.
- Time
- One to two hours
- Best for
- Anyone who has not confirmed what is present
One-way exit with sealing
Quoted after inspection
Secondary openings are closed first, then a device on the main entry lets the animal out without letting it return. Nothing is handled and nothing is caged. It is the standard approach for bat colonies outside the maternity period and works equally well for squirrels and raccoons in a roof.
- Time
- Three days to two weeks
- Best for
- Roof seams, gable ends and established bat roosts
Cage trapping with scheduled checks
Quoted after inspection
Used where an exit device cannot be mounted, typically a skunk denned under a slab or an animal in an enclosed void. Ask how often traps get checked, what credential the operator holds, and what the state permits them to do with a captured rabies vector species before anything is set.
- Time
- Two days to a week
- Best for
- Ground burrows and inaccessible dens
Repair, sealing and cleanup
Quoted after inspection
Closing shrinkage seams with backer and metal flashing, screening gable and foundation vents, capping chimneys, burying mesh at deck skirting, and removing contaminated insulation or guano with treatment of the surfaces below. In dry climates the sealing detail matters more than the screen size.
- Time
- One to three days
- Best for
- Making any removal permanent
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.Montana’s Protected Species and Regulations.
This ensures animals are handled humanely and according to the law. Homeowners attempting DIY removal may inadvertently violate regulations, leading to fines. Always verify that your wildlife control company is licensed and follows FWP guidelines. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) regulates wildlife control. Many species, including bats, are protected by state law. Raccoons, skunks, and opossums are classified as furbearers and may be trapped only during specific seasons unless they are causing damage. Bats cannot be killed or trapped during maternity season (June–August). Professional wildlife control operators must hold a nuisance wildlife control permit from FWP.
wildlife activity by season.
The most useful first step in Montana is to note where you have seen wildlife and when they appear, because that timeline is what lets a provider focus on the right area instead of treating the whole property. In Montana, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure usually turns up the conditions that are letting them in. Scheduling before the busy stretch, rather than after it, tends to mean faster service and a more accurate quote, and a local provider can point out the conditions that matter most in Montana.
Brush, mulch and fallen fruit near the house give animals cover and food. Keep the edges tidy.Why Humane Exclusion Is the Gold Standard.
It also prevents orphaned young from dying in the attic, which creates odor and fly problems. Professional exclusion includes a thorough inspection of the entire structure, using sealants and materials that withstand Montana’s weather extremes. Trapping and removing a raccoon or squirrel may provide short-term relief, but if entry points remain open, new animals will move in. Humane exclusion focuses on sealing all potential entry points after ensuring no animals are trapped inside. This is done by installing one-way doors, mesh, and covers that allow animals to exit but not re-enter. Exclusion is more thorough and cost-effective over time.
Seasonal Patterns in Montana Wildlife Intrusions.
Winter can be quieter, but if animals have already taken up residence, they will remain active. Summer is the busiest time for bat exclusion, as bats are active and can be excluded without harming young. Understanding these patterns helps homeowners anticipate and prevent problems. Spring and fall are the peak seasons for wildlife intrusions in Montana. In spring, females seek safe, warm places to give birth and raise young. Attics, chimneys, and crawlspaces become ideal nurseries. In fall, animals search for winter shelter as temperatures drop. This is when you’re most likely to hear scratching or see animals entering your home.
Health Risks from Wildlife Infestations.
Dead animals in walls or attics attract flies and beetles. Prompt professional cleanup and disinfection are essential to mitigate these risks. The CDC recommends professional removal and decontamination for any significant wildlife intrusion. Wildlife in the home pose serious health risks. Raccoon and skunk droppings can contain raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris) and leptospirosis, which are harmful to humans and pets. Bat guano can harbor Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus that causes histoplasmosis, a respiratory disease. Bats are also the primary vector for rabies in Montana. Squirrels and rats can introduce fleas and ticks.
What affects the price
- Species of animal (bats and raccoons often cost more due to regulations and complexity).
- Number of animals and size of infestation.
- Location of entry points (roof vs. ground level affects labor).
- Extent of damage and need for restoration (insulation replacement, guano cleanup).
- Structural complexity of the building (multiple stories, difficult access).
- Local labor rates and travel distance (rural Montana may have higher travel fees).
- Time of year (spring and fall are busier, potentially higher demand).
📊
What is the most common wildlife issue you face in Montana?
When to call for help
Call the same day if a bat has been in a room with a sleeping person, a young child, or anyone who could not report a bite, because the medical decision has a deadline and the animal is more useful alive and contained than gone. promptly for any bite or scratch from a wild mammal. Otherwise, call when the noise is heavy enough to be a raccoon, when a roost has clearly been in place for years, when the work involves a barn roof, or when a previous attempt failed. Montana's outbuildings hide long standing colonies well, and the scale of those jobs is consistently underestimated by owners.
What you can do yourself
Handling a skunk, raccoon or bat by hand is a job for someone vaccinated and equipped. If the task means touching a wild mammal, or standing on a barn roof in a Montana wind, that is where DIY should stop. Plenty of this is homeowner work. Sealing shrinkage seams with backer rod and metal, screening gable vents with quarter inch galvanized cloth, capping the chimney, burying mesh at a deck skirt in September, and keeping feed in metal containers all sit well within reach and last for years once done properly. The part to hand over is anything involving an animal that is currently present. Sealing an entry before the occupant has left produces a dead animal in a wall, and in spring it produces a litter. Bat work carries its own timing rules, since a colony sealed during the maternity period loses flightless pups inside the structure.
Where you live matters
Missoula and Bozeman mix that with newer construction where trim is already opening after a handful of dry seasons, and with median home values across Montana cities near $340,000, sealing those seams is cheap protection for an expensive building. Butte and the smaller towns bring outbuildings into the picture, and barns and shops are where long standing bat roosts sit unnoticed. The 59 percent humidity figure matters in a way people miss: dry air means guano accumulates as dust rather than compacting, so it spreads further through a building when disturbed. The state's building stock does more to shape these calls than its wildlife does. Around Billings and Great Falls, older housing with wood trim has been through decades of a seventy degree annual temperature swing, and the seams show it.
Simple ways to keep wildlife away
- Seal shrinkage gaps at fascia and siding joints with backer and metal rather than caulk alone.
- Screen gable, ridge and foundation vents with quarter inch galvanized cloth fixed into framing.
- Fit a stainless chimney cap before the autumn move indoors begins.
- Trench and bury an L shaped mesh apron at deck, stoop and shop slab edges while the ground is soft.
- Store livestock feed and birdseed in metal bins with latching lids.
- Walk barns and detached shops once a year with a flashlight, looking for staining under rafters.
- Cut back branches so nothing bridges onto a roof edge.
- Fix dripping outdoor taps and standing water, because in dry country water is a strong draw.
- Keep rabies vaccinations current for dogs, cats and working animals.
Metal mesh keeps animals out of vents for good. Foam and light screen won't hold.Did you know?
Opossums are largely immune to most snake venom and eat thousands of ticks per season, helping control tick-borne diseases.
Squirrels plant thousands of trees a year by forgetting where they bury nuts, contributing to forest regeneration.
A single bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes per hour, but a colony in your attic can produce guano that harbors harmful fungi.
Questions people ask
What should I do if I find a bat in my house?
If it doesn't leave, call a professional. Avoid sealing it in a room; it may become trapped. After removal, have your home inspected for entry points. Open windows and doors to let it escape. Do not touch it with bare hands—bats can carry rabies.
Is it legal to trap and relocate raccoons in Montana?
pest control pros may trap and euthanize raccoons humanely or release them on-site if conditions allow. Check with Montana FWP for specific regulations. Relocation is generally illegal without a permit because it can spread disease and disrupt ecosystems.
How do I know if I have a bat colony in my attic?
Bats often enter through gaps in eaves or chimneys. A professional can confirm with an inspection. Signs include piles of guano (droppings) that look like dark, crumbly pellets, a strong ammonia odor, and squeaking sounds at dusk.
Can I just seal the hole after the animal leaves?
Sealing without ensuring no animals are inside can trap them, leading to death, odor, and flies. Professionals use one-way doors to allow exit and then seal after confirming vacancy. No.
What is the best time of year for wildlife exclusion?
Avoid spring (birthing season) and winter (animals may be denning). Bat exclusion should be done in late summer after young can fly, typically August–October. Late summer to early fall is ideal for most species.
How much does wildlife control cost in Montana?
Full exclusion and restoration: $1,000–$2,500. Costs vary by species, extent of damage, and location. Removal alone: $250–$600.
What animals are protected in Montana?
Even raccoons and skunks have regulated trapping seasons. Always consult a licensed professional. Bats, birds (including owls and woodpeckers), and some furbearers are protected. You cannot kill or remove them without a permit.
How common are nuisance wildlife problems around suburban homes?
In Montana, nuisance wildlife is usually removed by trapping, then the entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot move into the same spot. In Montana, 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.
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