What can you put around your house to keep raccoons away?

• <div><p>Although raccoons aren’t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:</p><ul><li><p>Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting. </p></li><li><p>Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close. </p></li><li><p>Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon’s den to keep them from nesting.</p></li><li><p>Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.</p></li><li><p>Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Do bats come back to the same place every night?

• <div><p>This depends on if their needs are being met. They'll likely return night after night if they have access to food, water, and adequate shelter. If this changes, they’ll look for another roosting spot. This is why bright lights and other dissuading factors often work when removing bats from a property.</p></div>

Best animal removal specialists near Penhook, VA

Q: Which animals build nests in attics?

• <div><p>Many different types of animals like to build nests in attics. The types may vary depending on your home&rsquo;s condition and location and you can prevent them by sealing off entry points and eliminating food sources. The most common critters that like to build nests in your attic include:</p><ul><li><p>Raccoons</p></li><li><p>Bats</p></li><li><p>Squirrels</p></li><li><p>Mice</p></li><li><p>Rats</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Q: Are squirrels aggressive?

• <div><p>Generally, squirrels are not considered aggressive toward humans. They are more likely to flee than confront people. However, like many animals, they may exhibit aggressive behavior if they feel threatened or cornered. If you approach a squirrel too closely or try to handle it, especially if it's a mother protecting her young, it may resort to defensive tactics such as biting or scratching.</p></div>

Q: What can you put around your house to keep raccoons away?

• <div><p>Although raccoons aren&rsquo;t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:</p><ul><li><p>Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting. </p></li><li><p>Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close. </p></li><li><p>Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon&rsquo;s den to keep them from nesting.</p></li><li><p>Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.</p></li><li><p>Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Q: Where is the best place to put a squirrel trap?

• <div><p>Squirrels tend to forage, traveling along roof and fence lines. To trap a squirrel, placing a baited trap on the roof near the point of entry is the best option. If you can see them going in and out or recognize the damage they might be causing to the exterior of your home, you can also try placing traps near those locations.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Animal Removal pros in Penhook, VA

*The Angi rating for Animal Removal companies in Penhook, VA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Animal Removal needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Animal Removal companies in Penhook, VA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Animal Removal needs.

Last update on November 12, 2025

Reviewed in November 2025
I had a unique need to remove a metal chimney located in a wooden chase. Scott arrived explaining he had not done this type of work before but was ready to accomplish the task. He examined the chimney construction, devised a plan on how best to remove the metal flu sections and within a few...
Virginia Repair and Restoration
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Reviewed in November 2024
Steven was prompt in getting me an estimate & getting the tree removed. They showed up when he said they would. He & his crew worked hard & diligently to make sure the tree came down safely and that I was satisfied. A job well done
Scalla LLC
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Reviewed in August 2024
The crew showed up on time ready to work. They quickly took care of the trees I needed removed and made my magnolia tree look brand new. The crew was very professional and I would hire them again for any tree removal or trimming I need.
Arbor Docs, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2023
The man was not equipped to do three removal
Red's Handyman
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Reviewed in July 2023
This is the second time in two years to get them here to remove trees and I was familiar with their work. I found them the first time through Angi so when they came up this time I selected them quickly. They do good work and clean up after themselves.
Trez R Us, LLC
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Reviewed in May 2023
Did a great job. Important to them that we were happy with the final results. Cleaned up very well after the tree removal. Price beat every other company. Spikeless climbing to protect trees.
Green Apes Tree Service
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Reviewed in March 2023
Very professional and quick in and out just over an hour. Plus they removed a stain left from a dresser that had gotten wet.
The Carpet Cleaning Crew LLC
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Reviewed in July 2021
Efficiently removed & hauled away old refrigerator.
Hite's Painting
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Reviewed in February 2021
Job was done in timely fashion. I was surprised at the cost to remove furniture but this company offered the lowest price.
Under One Roof Home Liquidation and Estate Services, Inc.
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Reviewed in June 2020
Came out when they said they would. Removed several trees and cleared yard as they worked. Unfortunately, we have to pay someone else to remove a stump.
Virginia Timber Services, Inc.
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Top-Rated Animal removal specialists in Penhook - Updated Nov 2026

Terminix® Pest Control

3.9(

1,074

)

Pest Control - Rodents

Serving Penhook, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1927

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Did a greta job with inspecting the house."

53 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by81%of homeowners

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General Pest Exterminating

5.0(

)

Pest Control - Rodents

Serving Penhook, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Noah is very knowledgeable and proficient! We had a HUGE tick infestation, He came out and treated our yard and garden, and because the infestation was so bad, he came back ( no extra charge) and treated it again! We have signed on for a monthly visit to make sure our pests don’t return. Highly recommend this company!"

Response time1 day

Response rate92%

Pest Control - Birds and BatsPest Control - RodentsPest Control - Small Animals+1 more

Serving Penhook, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1993

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"They did a great job. They solved all the problems I had with the chimney and it’s been working perfectly ever since. They also fixed a problem on the roof around the chimney; they replaced the wood around the chimney with a material that would never rot, so they fixed it even better than it was before. It took them a couple of days to do the work. They took care of all the cleanup as well. We've been real happy with them."

Recommended by78%of homeowners

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Sharky's Pest Control - Strona gwna Facebook

New to Angi

Pest Control - Rodents

Serving Penhook, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Warranties offered

Sharky's Pest Control is a local, family run business with over 34 years of experience taking care of just about anything that shouldn't be in your home. We can handle bats, ants, rodents, stink bugs, spiders, ticks, fleas, snakes, birds, bed bugs, ground hogs, and skunks, to name a few. We also offer lawn treatments for flea and tick control.

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Animal Removal FAQs, answered by experts

Many different types of animals like to build nests in attics. The types may vary depending on your home’s condition and location and you can prevent them by sealing off entry points and eliminating food sources. The most common critters that like to build nests in your attic include:

Raccoons
Bats
Squirrels
Mice
Rats

Generally, squirrels are not considered aggressive toward humans. They are more likely to flee than confront people. However, like many animals, they may exhibit aggressive behavior if they feel threatened or cornered. If you approach a squirrel too closely or try to handle it, especially if it's a mother protecting her young, it may resort to defensive tactics such as biting or scratching.

Although raccoons aren’t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:

Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting.
Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close.
Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon’s den to keep them from nesting.
Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.
Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.

This depends on if their needs are being met. They'll likely return night after night if they have access to food, water, and adequate shelter. If this changes, they’ll look for another roosting spot. This is why bright lights and other dissuading factors often work when removing bats from a property.

Squirrels tend to forage, traveling along roof and fence lines. To trap a squirrel, placing a baited trap on the roof near the point of entry is the best option. If you can see them going in and out or recognize the damage they might be causing to the exterior of your home, you can also try placing traps near those locations.

The Penhook, VA homeowners’ guide to animal removal services

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