The short version
Around Tempe, 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 Tempe with an animal in the attic, walls, chimney or yard.
What to look for
Around Tempe, 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
Identifying the animal correctly matters in Tempe because a mother with young changes the whole plan. Sealing a raccoon out while her kits remain inside in Tempe is how homeowners end up with a dead-animal odor.
- 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 Tempe who do cleanup should wear respirators and bag waste on site. Homeowners in Tempe 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
Humane Live Trapping and Removal
$150–$500 per animal, plus trip fees
Traps go near the entry and get checked daily. Ask what happens to the animal afterward.
- Time
- Several days to two weeks
- Best for
- Animals already inside or denning under structures
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 Tempe.
Homes from Tempe out to Scottsdale and Mesa see much the same mix. In the desert around Tempe, pack rats and rock squirrels are as common as raccoons. Around Tempe, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels, skunks, pack rats, rock squirrels, javelina and bats.
Local wildlife conditions in Tempe.
An inspection in Tempe usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Tempe'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 Tempe 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. Tempe sits in a hot desert climate, and that sets the pace for wildlife activity here: spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter). For Tempe homes, 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.
Walk the foundation with a flashlight. Gaps at ground level let animals under the house.What’s that noise?
- Heavy thumps at night: raccoons. - Rustling at dusk at the roof edge: bats. - A strong smell under the deck: skunks. - Quick scurrying at dawn and dusk: squirrels.
Baby season.
Never seal a hole while babies are still inside. Bat exclusion waits until pups can fly, usually by mid-August. Around Tempe, most babies are born from about March through June. Mothers look for warm, dry spots like attics and chimneys.
A year of wildlife in Tempe.
- Summer: highs near 106°F in Tempe. Animals roam at night. - Fall: animals hunt for winter dens. Seal gaps now. - Winter: mild in Tempe, so animals stay active. - Spring: babies are born from about March through June. Don't seal while young are inside.
Raccoons.
They tear open vents and roof edges. Never handle one. 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.
- Check: look for babies first. - Door: a one-way door lets the animal leave. - Seal: heavy metal mesh on every gap. - Recheck: make sure nothing is trying to get back in. - Identify: figure out which animal it is.
Where animals get in.
- Gaps where the roof meets the wall. - Uncapped chimneys. - Crawl-space doors and foundation vents. - Under decks, porches and sheds. - Roof vents and soffit corners.
If an animal gets inside the house.
Keep kids and pets away. Is it a bat, and was someone asleep there? Call your health department first. Close interior doors so it stays in one room. Open an outside door or window in that room, then leave.
Droppings and cleanup.
- Wear gloves, a mask and old clothes. - Wet droppings down, then bag them. - Large attic messes are a job for pros. - Don’t sweep or vacuum droppings dry.
Keeping your yard less inviting.
- Pets: feed them indoors. - Birds: use a seed tray, and sweep up spills. - Fruit: pick up what falls. - Cover: clear brush and wood piles near the house. - Trash: locking lids, or keep bins in the garage.
Wildlife myths.
- Moving them is kind: often illegal, and babies get left. - Mothballs drive them out: they don’t, and they’re a health hazard. - Lights and radios work: only briefly. - Out in daylight means rabid: not always; mothers forage by day.
Birds in vents and chimneys.
Wait until the young have flown. Then fit a vent cover that still lets air out. Starlings and sparrows love dryer and bath vents. Most native birds are protected while nesting.
If an animal seems sick.
animal control or your local health department. Don't try to trap or touch it. Staggering, circling or acting unafraid can mean illness. Keep people and pets inside.
Pets and wildlife.
Bring pets in at night. your vet if your pet tangles with a wild animal. Keep pets' rabies shots up to date.
What a wildlife visit looks like.
They set a one-way door or trap. Later, they come back and seal up. Cleanup comes last. The tech walks the roofline and the foundation. They look for tracks, droppings and torn vents.
If a skunk sprays.
- Tomato juice: it doesn’t really work. - Eyes: keep the mix out; rinse with cool water. - Clothes: wash with baking soda added to the load. - Under the house: air it out; the smell fades over days. - People and pets: wash with peroxide, baking soda and dish soap.
Babies found alone.
Hurt or clearly orphaned? Call a wildlife rehabilitator. Baby animals alone are often just waiting for a parent. Leave them be and watch from a distance for a day.
Fencing that works.
- Climbers: an electric wire near the top stops raccoons. - Gardens: hardware cloth beats chicken wire. - Gates: keep gaps underneath to a couple of inches. - Diggers: bury wire mesh a foot down, bent outward.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- Where is it getting in? - How will you handle babies? - What happens to the animal? - What will you seal with? - Is cleanup included? - Which animal is it?
What affects the price
- Presence of a raccoon latrine requiring special cleanup.
- Trip fees for daily trap checks over multiple days.
- Roof height and pitch affecting ladder or lift needs.
- Materials used: steel and hardware cloth over foam.
- Damage to ductwork, wiring, or vents needing repair.
- Whether young are present and need hand removal.
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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 Tempe
Winter lows near 43°F in Tempe slow animals down, but don't stop them. With only about 9 inches of rain a year in Tempe, animals go looking for water near homes. Summer highs near 106°F in Tempe push most animal activity into the night. In Arizona, foxes, skunks and bats carry most rabies cases. For Tempe homes, animals live comfortably in town, using alleys, storm drains and older buildings.
Local research
Wildlife in Tempe, 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 Tempe, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
When wildlife are busiest around Tempe
April skunk peak, October bat peak. Texas 2024 monthly peaks were driven by skunks in April and bats in October.
Based on Tempe’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.
Ask which animal it is, how babies will be handled, and whether sealing and cleanup are included.Did you know?
Groundhogs whistle to warn each other, earning the name whistle-pig
Starlings were introduced to North America in 1890 in Central Park
Questions people ask
What animal is in my attic?
Quick scurrying at dawn: squirrels. Rustling at dusk: bats.
Can the animal just be relocated?
Often not. Many states, Arizona included in some cases, limit moving trapped animals. Ask your provider.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildlife damage?
Sometimes, for sudden damage. Gradual chewing often isn't covered. Ask your insurer.
Can I trap the animal myself?
Check Arizona's rules first. Trapping can catch the wrong animal or orphan babies.
What season is worst for wildlife problems?
Spring babies and fall den-hunting are busiest. Mild winters in Tempe keep animals active year-round.
Do most homeowners do anything about nuisance wildlife?
For Tempe homes, nuisance wildlife is usually removed by trapping, then the entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot move into the same spot. For Tempe homes, 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 Tempe?
Mostly raccoons, squirrels, skunks, pack rats, rock squirrels, javelina and bats.
When are wild animal babies born in Tempe?
Usually from about March through June. Don't seal a hole while babies are inside.
Nearby cities
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Sources (10)
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