The Most Common Pest Animals in the Fall

As the crisp fall air rolls in across East Tennessee, many animals begin preparing for winter — and your attic, crawlspace, or garage can become an attractive shelter. Here are the most common pest animals during the fall and what you can do to keep them out.

Why Animals Invade Homes in the Fall

As temperatures drop, wildlife looks for warm places to nest and store food for winter. Attics, crawlspaces, and garages offer warmth, safety from predators, and easy access to food sources. Taking preventive action before fall arrives is far easier than dealing with an active infestation.

Raccoons

Raccoons are resourceful and intelligent. During fall, they seek safe, warm areas to build dens — your attic or chimney could be their next home. They cause structural damage and spread diseases like rabies and roundworm. Install chimney caps, repair broken vents, and seal ridge vents with Ridge-Guard to close this common entry point. See our Raccoon Removal service for professional help.

Squirrels

Squirrels are notorious for chewing through wires, insulation, and wood to create and expand their nests. Fall is peak entry season as they search for winter food caches and warm storage space. Trim tree branches away from your roofline and cover attic vents with steel mesh. Visit our Squirrel Removal page for more information.

Skunks

Skunks usually seek shelter in crawlspaces and under porches in fall, drawn by warmth and protection. Though not aggressive, their spray is notorious and can permeate your HVAC system if they den too close. Block crawlspace access with mesh fencing and remove outdoor food sources. See our Skunk Removal service.

Mice and Rats

Rodents can squeeze through openings as small as a dime and cause extensive damage chewing through electrical wiring and nesting in insulation. They spread diseases like hantavirus and salmonella. Seal all foundation cracks, store food in airtight containers, and maintain interior cleanliness year-round.

Fall Prevention Checklist

• Inspect and repair attic vents, soffits, and roofline gaps before October.
• Install Ridge-Guard on all ridge vents to block the most common attic entry point.
• Store garbage securely and bring pet food inside at dusk.
• Seal foundation cracks and crawlspace openings with durable hardware cloth.
• Trim back trees and branches that provide roof access.