The short version
Around Shreveport, 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.
Homeowners in Shreveport with an animal in the attic, walls, chimney or yard.
What to look for
Each one gets in differently and needs a different fix. Babies are usually born from about March through June. Around Shreveport, the usual animals are raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos 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
Attic Cleanup, Sanitation, and Follow-Up
$500–$3,000+ depending on insulation removed
Providers in Shreveport who do cleanup should wear respirators and bag waste on site. Homeowners in Shreveport handling raccoon droppings without protection risk exposure to Baylisascaris roundworm eggs, which survive for years in soil.
- 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 is the part that keeps animals out for good. Ask for a list of every spot that gets closed.
- Time
- Half a day to two days
- Best for
- Sealing the home after animals are out
One-Way Doors and Eviction
$200–$600
Timing matters in Shreveport: eviction doors are not used during birthing season if young are present, because the mother leaves and the babies cannot. A provider should confirm no litter is inside before installing one.
- 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 Shreveport.
Around Shreveport, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos and bats. Armadillos are common here, and they're behind many dug-up lawns in Shreveport. Homes from Shreveport out to Bossier City see much the same mix.
Local wildlife conditions in Shreveport.
An inspection in Shreveport usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Around Shreveport, 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. Shreveport sits in a humid subtropical climate, and that sets the pace for wildlife activity here: spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter). A provider who works Shreveport and Louisiana 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. Knowing Shreveport'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. - Small cone-shaped holes in the lawn: armadillos. - A strong smell under the deck: skunks. - Rustling at dusk at the roof edge: bats. - Heavy thumps at night: raccoons.
Baby season.
Bat exclusion waits until pups can fly, usually by mid-August. Never seal a hole while babies are still inside. Mothers look for warm, dry spots like attics and chimneys. Around Shreveport, most babies are born from about March through June.
A year of wildlife in Shreveport.
- Spring: babies are born from about March through June. Don't seal while young are inside. - Winter: mild in Shreveport, so animals stay active. - Fall: animals hunt for winter dens. Seal gaps now. - Summer: highs near 94°F in Shreveport. 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.
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.
Armadillos.
Armadillos dig small, cone-shaped holes hunting grubs. They're most active at night in warm weather.
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.
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.
- 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.
Chimney swifts nest in chimneys in summer and leave in fall. 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.
Keep people and pets inside. Staggering, circling or acting unafraid can mean illness. Don't try to trap or touch it. animal control or your local health department.
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.
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.
- 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.
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. Hurt or clearly orphaned?
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
- Materials used: steel and hardware cloth over foam.
- Presence of a raccoon latrine requiring special cleanup.
- Number of animals, since trapping is priced per animal.
- Permit, relocation, or disposal rules in your state.
- Damage to ductwork, wiring, or vents needing repair.
- 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
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 Shreveport
In Louisiana, bats are the animal most often found with rabies. Around Shreveport, animals live comfortably in town, using alleys, storm drains and older buildings. Winter lows near 37°F in Shreveport slow animals down, but don't stop them. About 51 inches of rain a year in Shreveport softens fascia and soffits, and soft wood is easy to chew through.
Local research
Wildlife in Shreveport, LA: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which wildlife actually live in Louisiana, when they are busiest around Shreveport, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
When wildlife are busiest around Shreveport
Spring denning, fall baiting. Southeast ORV projects run October; Georgia forbids relocating carnivores.
Based on Shreveport’s humid subtropical 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 gray squirrel can rotate its ankles to descend headfirst
Groundhogs whistle to warn each other, earning the name whistle-pig
Questions people ask
Can the animal just be relocated?
Many states, Louisiana included in some cases, limit moving trapped animals. Ask your provider. Often not.
How do I get rid of a groundhog?
Groundhogs are rare here. A digger under the shed is likely a skunk.
What is included in attic cleanup?
Removing droppings and soiled insulation, then sanitizing. New insulation goes in if needed.
What if there are babies in the attic?
Around Shreveport, babies are usually born from about March through June. A pro finds them and reunites them with the mother.
What season is worst for wildlife problems?
Spring babies and fall den-hunting are busiest around Shreveport.
Do most homeowners do anything about nuisance wildlife?
Around Shreveport, nuisance wildlife is usually removed by trapping, then the entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot move into the same spot. Around Shreveport, 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 Shreveport?
Mostly raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos and bats.
When are wild animal babies born in Shreveport?
Usually from about March through June. Don't seal a hole while babies are inside.
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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