Get matched with top pest control specialists in Clayton, IL

Raccoons are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, meaning they are most active at dawn, dusk, and throughout the night. While less common, they may come out during the day to find food, especially in warm months or during the spring birthing season (April and May) when caring for their young. Seasonally, raccoons are active year-round and do not truly hibernate. However, during periods of severe cold, they will often remain in their dens for extended periods.

Certain strong smells may help repel bats, though this is not a foolproof method and is best used in conjunction with other deterrence strategies. Scents like peppermint oil, eucalyptus, cinnamon, cloves, and mint are often suggested as natural remedies. To create a spray, you can mix two cups of warm water with half a cup of sugar and a few drops of your preferred essential oil. Apply this mixture using a spray bottle to possible entry points and throughout the affected area, such as an attic. While this home remedy is popular, evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited.

Brown recluse spiders are attracted to homes and properties in search of shelter and food. Key attractants include a steady supply of insects, which are their primary food source. Consequently, things that attract other bugs, like food left out or poorly sealed trash cans, will also indirectly attract spiders. They also seek warm, dry, dark spots with nooks and crannies for nesting, such as untended wood piles, dirt piles, and cardboard boxes. Additionally, excessive outdoor lighting can attract insects, which in turn draws in spiders.

If squirrels set up a home in your attic, they can cause considerable damage. It’s not uncommon for them to chew holes in your roof, siding, or joists, and they can eat through electrical wiring. They might also travel to other parts of your home or into your wall cavities. Not to mention all that bacteria-filled feces and urine they spread around.