How Wildlife in Your Yard Can Lead to Pest Problems

Spring wildlife activity is picking up across New England—and your yard may be the first place animals show up. While spotting squirrels, raccoons, or deer might seem like part of the season, these animals can create structural damage that allows pests like ants, ticks, and wasps to enter your home. In this post, we’ll explore how common wildlife in New England can lead to household pest issues—and how Pest-End’s full-service pest and wildlife control solutions help protect your home inside and out.

Wildlife May Be the First Visitor—But They Rarely Come Alone

Wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and even deer can cause or contribute to pest infestations. Here’s how:

• Chewed or Torn Entry Points: Squirrels and raccoons often chew through siding, soffits, and rooflines. These damaged areas create easy entry points for ants, wasps, and other household pests.
• Nesting and Shelter: Wildlife that nests in attics or crawlspaces brings moisture and debris, which can attract pests like cockroaches, silverfish, and beetles.
• Landscape Disruption: Animals such as skunks and groundhogs, along with deer, can trample garden beds or burrow through lawns—disturbing mulch and soil in ways that create ideal conditions for ants, ticks, and fleas.

If left unchecked, this kind of damage can compromise insulation, impact air quality, and provide multiple pest entry points.

Your Yard: A Pathway for Wildlife and Household Pests

Many pest problems start in the yard. Common wildlife behaviors that lead to infestations include:

• Burrowing under decks, porches, and sheds, making openings for rodents and insects.
• Climbing trees or utility lines, giving wildlife access to your attic, chimney, or roof vents.
• Passing through your property, especially deer—which can carry disease-carrying ticks such as blacklegged ticks (deer ticks).

In fact, tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis are on the rise across New England. Regular tick control and wildlife exclusion are key to reducing that risk.

Wildlife Damage Creates Pest Entry Points

When wildlife damages your home, it often leads to secondary pest infestations. Some common scenarios include:

• Carpenter ants entering through softened wood exposed by chewing or moisture
• Wasps or hornets nesting under loose shingles or in soffit gaps
• Mice and rats finding access through holes originally created by larger animals

That’s why homeowners need an integrated pest and wildlife control plan—not just spot treatments.

Full-Service Pest & Wildlife Control in New England

Pest-End provides professional pest and wildlife control services throughout New England. As a full-service company, we address the root of the problem—not just the symptoms.

Our services include:

• Humane wildlife removal
• Exclusion work to seal animal entry points and prevent re-entry
• Repairs to wildlife-damaged areas, including vents, rooflines, and foundations
• Pest control for ants, rodents, wasps, and more
• Tick and mosquito control & prevention programs
• Year-round protection with our HomeGuard Series

Having both pest and wildlife services under one roof means faster response times and long-term results.

Trusted by Local Homeowners Since 1977

Pest-End is a local, family-owned pest control company with more than 45 years of experience. We understand the unique challenges that come with New England wildlife and seasonal pests. From southern Maine to the Massachusetts coast and beyond, we’re proud to serve our neighbors with professional, dependable solutions.

Take Action Before It Escalates

Spring and early summer are peak seasons for wildlife and tick activity. If you’ve seen signs of digging, noises in the attic, or an increase in ticks in your yard, don’t wait.

Schedule a visit with a Pest-End team member today. We’ll assess the situation, provide expert recommendations, and help keep your home protected—from the yard to the attic.

Looking for pest and wildlife control near you?
Pest-End proudly serves homeowners across New England with trusted, family-owned service.