When you hear strange noises coming from your attic or notice chewed-up wires in your garage, it can be tempting to grab a hammer and try to handle the problem yourself. After all, a little DIY never hurt anyone, right? But when it comes to wildlife control, this mindset can quickly backfire. As Skedaddle Technician Dylan points out, “When animals access your home and cause a ruckus, many people jump to the option of trying to deal with the issue themselves…Unfortunately for the inexperienced, when it comes to animals, this is not a smart move for many reasons.”

Wild animals are clever and resilient, often turning well-meaning DIY efforts into bigger, more expensive headaches. Here’s why tackling wildlife issues is best left to the pros—and why Dylan and the Skedaddle team see so many DIY attempts go wrong.

Why Wildlife DIY Solutions Don’t Measure Up

Handling wildlife might seem straightforward, but as Dylan stresses, “Leaving it to our professionals is a 100% guaranteed way of removing the animal and protecting your home for life.” Here are some key reasons why DIY often misses the mark:

1. Misunderstanding Wildlife Behaviour

Animals are survival experts, capable of adapting to challenging environments with remarkable skill. Without a clear understanding of their habits and behaviours, homeowners often make mistakes that only invite more problems. For example:

• Squirrels are relentless chewers, gnawing through wood, plastic, and even softer metals to regain access to their nesting spots.
• Raccoons, with their incredible dexterity, can lift loose boards, undo weak latches, or squeeze through overlooked gaps in roofs or siding.
• Mice can slip through holes as small as a dime, bypassing even the most carefully planned DIY fixes, and quickly establish colonies within walls or basements.

Dylan warns, “Amateur animal control methods are no match for sneaky wildlife. They’re genetically hardwired to survive and are masters of evasion and escape.” Quick fixes, like nailing up boards or plugging holes without proper inspection, can unintentionally trap animals inside. 

This not only escalates the damage they cause as they try to escape but also increases their distress, creating ethical and practical challenges for the homeowner. Understanding their behaviour and taking a professional approach is key to effective and humane wildlife control.

2. DIY Materials Aren’t Wildlife-Grade

Many homeowners think chicken wire, plywood, or caulking will do the trick. In reality:

• Rats can chew through chicken wire.
• Raccoons easily claw through thin barriers.
• Weak materials only provide short-term relief.

According to Dylan, “Homeowners and contractors with an untrained eye will easily miss at least one animal entry point but usually more than one. This is a weakness that the animal will be able to exploit to get back to its nest or den.” Professionals use specialized, wildlife-proof materials that truly safeguard your home.

3. Serious Health Hazards

Wild animals carry serious diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, and histoplasmosis. Dylan cautions, “Improper DIY wildlife removal exposes you and your family to serious risks.” Without protective gear or proper cleanup knowledge, you risk contaminating your living space with dangerous bacteria from droppings and urine.

4. Trapping Animals Inside = Bigger Problems

It’s easy to overlook animals still hiding in your attic or crawlspace when sealing entrances, but doing so can lead to serious problems for both you and the wildlife. Sealing entry points without checking for animals can result in:

• Desperate animals are causing severe property damage as they try to escape, scratching, chewing, and clawing at walls, insulation, or floors.
• Terrible odours if animals die inside your walls or insulation, which can be difficult and costly to remove.

Dylan, an experienced wildlife expert, has seen this happen all too often: “Merely covering an entry point without first checking if there are any animals in your attic will trap the wildlife in your home. Once sealed inside, a trapped and desperate animal will most likely cause extensive damage to your property—gnawing on wires, tearing through insulation, or even creating holes in vents. If they starve to death, the smell will be enough to drive you out of your home, and the cleanup process can be a nightmare.”

To avoid these issues, always inspect your attic or crawlspace thoroughly before sealing any openings or consult a professional to ensure your home is animal-free.

Real-Life DIY Wildlife Blunders

The Skedaddle team has encountered plenty of well-intentioned (but disastrous) DIY stories. Here are a few:

The Raccoon Downspout Fiasco

One homeowner spotted a raccoon using a downspout to get inside. Their DIY solution? Cover the opening with a board, not realizing the raccoon was still inside. The clever raccoon simply tore through a different area to escape, causing even more damage and making repairs harder for Skedaddle.

Dylan’s take: “DIY disasters like this turn a small intrusion into a major repair operation. We’ve had to undo quick fixes before we can give homes real protection.”

The Mouse Maze

After spotting a mouse, a homeowner stuffed holes with steel wool and duct tape. The mice just chewed new pathways, and the infestation grew, leading to more costly repairs.

Lesson: Temporary patches don’t outsmart determined rodents—and ultimately, only a thorough inspection and professional repairs work.

Squirrel-Proofing Gone Wrong

A plastic mesh chimney cap was installed as a DIY effort to block squirrels. A rainstorm broke it down, leading to water damage and letting the squirrels right back in.

Dylan reflects: “Wildlife-exclusion materials need to stand up to weather and animal determination. That’s why we use professional-grade products.”

Common DIY Wildlife Control Mistakes

Homeowners with the best intentions can end up making matters worse with mistakes such as:

• Using snap traps in areas where pets or kids might come across them.
• Overlooking hidden entry points in the roofline or soffits.
• Failing to clean up after animals attracts more wildlife.
• Sealing up entry points without inspecting for remaining animals.

The Skedaddle Difference

When you call Skedaddle, you’re getting a comprehensive, humane approach—every time. Here’s how the team ensures your home stays wildlife-free:

1. Full-Home Assessment

We find and address every entry point, no matter how tiny, to make sure nothing is overlooked.

2. Humane Removal

Our technicians rely on proven, animal-friendly techniques—such as one-way doors—to ensure safe removal for both you and the wildlife.

3. Complete Cleanup & Lasting Repairs

We don’t just take animals away. Skedaddle sanitizes and repairs affected spaces, removing messes, damaged insulation, and odours—restoring your peace of mind.

4. True Long-Term Prevention

Dylan explains, “We install prevention that will protect your home from future invasions.” That means durable, wildlife-proof barriers and advice that’s specific to your property and local wildlife.

Why Call Skedaddle First?

“Calling in a qualified wildlife control expert as soon as you detect a wildlife invasion will save you money, time and frustration in the long run,” says Dylan. With over 30 years of experience, effective tools, and a focus on humane solutions, Skedaddle stands behind every job.

• Expertise you can trust
• Guaranteed humane solutions
• Long-term protection for your home and family

For more tips on protecting your home from wildlife, check out our blog on 3 Tips to Improve Your Wildlife-Proofing Efforts and take your prevention strategies to the next level!

Don’t Let DIY Backfire—Contact Skedaddle Today!

Whether you’ve just discovered suspicious scratching or tried a quick DIY fix that failed, now is the time to call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Our technicians will inspect your property, safely remove unwanted intruders, clean up, and put real protections in place—so you can enjoy a home free from wildlife worries.

Ready for peace of mind? Contact us today and leave the wildlife control to the experts at Skedaddle!