One of the most common questions homeowners ask is, “How do I know what animal is causing the problem?”

The good news is that nuisance wildlife almost always leaves clues behind.

In many cases, you’ll actually see the animal coming, feeding, or leaving the area. If not, look for signs such as tracks, droppings, damaged vegetation, digging, chewed materials, or den sites.

Tracks are often one of the easiest ways to identify what’s visiting your property. Raccoons, opossums, skunks, squirrels, armadillos, and rodents all leave unique footprints that can help narrow down the culprit.

Pay attention to where the activity is occurring as well:

Attics often indicate squirrels, raccoons, mice, or rats.

Under sheds, porches, or decks are common denning locations for skunks, opossums, armadillos, and groundhogs.

Garden damage may point to rabbits, groundhogs, or deer.

Garbage disturbances are frequently caused by raccoons or opossums.

Small droppings and gnaw marks often signal mice or rats.

The more clues you can gather, the easier it becomes to choose the right trap, bait, and strategy for the job.

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming they know what animal they’re dealing with. Correct identification is the first step toward solving the problem quickly and effectively.

Mountain Mike’s Tip

“Most times you’ll see the animal coming, feeding, or leaving. If not, the tracks and signs it leaves behind will usually tell you exactly what’s visiting your property.”

Have a question for Mountain Mike? Submit your wildlife control question and it may be featured in a future Ask Mountain Mike article. 🦝🏡