SPRING WILDLIFE PREVENTION - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME BEFORE BABY SEASON

Why Spring is Baby Season for San Antonio Wildlife

Wildlife reproductive cycles are tied to weather and food availability. Spring offers:

• Warmer temperatures – Babies born in spring have mild weather to grow and develop
• Abundant food sources – Insects, seeds, and vegetation are plentiful
• Longer days – More daylight means more time to forage and feed young

For pregnant females, your attic is ideal:

• Warm and dry
• Protected from predators
• Soft insulation for nesting
• Close to food sources (your trash, pet food, gardens)

If your home has entry points, wildlife WILL find them in spring.

Which Animals Have Babies in Spring?

Squirrels: March – May and August – September

Squirrels have TWO breeding seasons per year, with spring being the primary season.

Timeline:

• Mating: January – February
• Birth: March – April
• Babies leave nest: May – June

Baby squirrels (called kits) are born blind and hairless. They depend entirely on their mother for 8-10 weeks. If you seal entry points while babies are inside, they'll die in your attic.

Raccoons: March – June

Raccoons typically have one litter per year in spring.

Timeline:

• Mating: January – March
• Birth: April – May
• Babies leave den: June – July

Baby raccoons are loud. You'll hear chirping, chattering, and crying sounds—especially at night when mother is out foraging. Raccoon babies stay with their mother for 8-12 weeks.

Bats: May 1 – August 31 (LEGALLY PROTECTED)

Bats are the most complicated because it's illegal to exclude them during maternity season in Texas.

Timeline:

• Maternity season: May 1 – August 31
• Birth: June
• Babies can fly: Late July – August

Texas law prohibits bat exclusion during this period. Violating this results in fines and potential criminal charges. If you have bats NOW (January – April), you must act before May 1 or wait until September.

Opossums: Year-Round (Peak in Spring)

Opossums breed year-round, but spring sees increased activity.

Timeline:

• Gestation: Only 12-13 days (shortest of any mammal)
• Babies stay in pouch: 2 months
• Babies leave mother: 3-4 months

Opossums typically nest in crawlspaces, under decks, or in attics if accessible.

Why Baby Season Complicates Wildlife Removal

1. Legal Restrictions (Bats)

As mentioned, bat exclusion is illegal from May 1 – August 31. If you discover bats in May, you're stuck with them until September.

This means:

• 4+ months living with bats
• Continued guano accumulation (toxic and damages insulation)
• Higher cleanup costs when you finally can address it

Act before May 1 if you suspect bats.

2. Humane Concerns (All Wildlife)

We never seal entry points with babies inside. Ever.

During baby season, our process changes:

• Install one-way doors for mothers to exit
• Manually locate and remove babies (sometimes requires cutting into soffits or walls)
• Reunite babies with mother outside (when possible)
• Ensure all animals are gone before final sealing

This takes longer and requires extra visits.

3. Increased Costs

Baby season exclusion costs 20-40% more than standard exclusion because:

• Extra visits to confirm babies are gone
• Manual baby removal requires additional labor
• More time spent monitoring one-way doors
• Higher risk of callbacks if babies are missed

Example:

• Standard squirrel exclusion: $1,800
• Baby season squirrel exclusion: $2,200-2,500

4. Extended Timeline

Standard exclusion: 3-5 days from start to finish.

Baby season exclusion: 2-3 weeks (waiting for babies to mature enough to leave with mother, or coordinating manual removal).

Your problem lasts longer, and damage accumulates.

The Smart Move: Prevent Wildlife Before Baby Season

The best strategy? Seal your home in January – February before wildlife gets pregnant.

Here's why this is the optimal window:

✅ No babies to complicate removal – Wildlife are adults only
✅ Standard pricing – No baby season upcharges
✅ Faster completion – 3-5 days instead of 2-3 weeks
✅ Prevent nesting – Stop wildlife from choosing your home as a nursery

One hour of prevention in February saves weeks of hassle and hundreds of dollars in March.

How to Wildlife-Proof Your Home This Spring

Step 1: Inspect Your Home for Vulnerabilities

Walk around your home and check these common entry points:

Roof Returns:

• Look at both gable ends
• Check for torn screening or gaps
• Use binoculars if you can't see clearly

Soffits and Fascia:

• Look for loose panels, gaps, or rot
• Check where soffit meets fascia board
• Pay attention to corners (most vulnerable spots)

AC Line Penetrations:

• Follow AC lines from outdoor unit to where they enter your home
• Look for gaps around pipes
• Check from inside attic (shine flashlight, look for daylight)

Foundation and Crawlspace:

• Walk perimeter at ground level
• Check for cracks, gaps, missing vent screens
• Look for signs of digging or burrows

Garage Doors:

• Close door, turn off lights, look for daylight gaps
• Check bottom seal for cracks or wear
• Inspect side seals

If you find gaps, seal them NOW before wildlife moves in.

Step 2: Trim Trees and Remove Wildlife Attractants

Tree Trimming:

• Trim branches at least 6-8 feet away from your roofline
• Squirrels can jump 8-10 feet, so distance matters
• Remove branches overhanging your roof

Remove Food Sources:

• Secure trash cans with tight lids
• Don't leave pet food outside
• Clean up fallen fruit from trees
• Remove bird feeders (they attract rodents)
• Store firewood away from house

Eliminate Water Sources:

• Fix leaking outdoor faucets
• Remove standing water
• Keep gutters clean and draining properly

Step 3: Schedule a Professional Inspection

Even if you don't see obvious damage, get a professional inspection in late winter (January – February).

Why?

• Professionals find entry points you'd never notice
• Early detection = cheaper fixes
• You get a clear understanding of your home's vulnerabilities

Our inspections take 45-60 minutes and include:

• Complete exterior roofline inspection
• Foundation and ground-level check
• Attic inspection (if accessible)
• Photo documentation of all vulnerabilities
• Written estimate for sealing work

Free inspections. No obligation.

Step 4: Seal Vulnerabilities Before March

If we find entry points during inspection, seal them BEFORE baby season starts.

Standard exclusion in February:

• 3-5 days completion
• Standard pricing
• No baby complications

Waiting until April:

• 2-3 weeks completion
• 20-40% higher cost
• Baby removal complications

The math is simple: Act early, save money and hassle.

What If You Already Hear Scratching in Spring?

If it's already March or later and you're hearing scratching, don't panic—but act immediately.

Call for an inspection right away.

We'll determine:

• What animal you have
• Whether babies are present
• Best approach for humane removal
• Timeline and cost

The longer you wait, the older babies get, and the more damage accumulates.

Even during baby season, we solve the problem—it just takes more time and care.

Special Considerations for Bats

If you suspect bats (you see them flying at dusk, hear scratching at night, or find small black droppings in your attic):

ACT BEFORE MAY 1.

Once maternity season begins, you cannot legally exclude bats until September 1.

Bat exclusion timeline:

• January – April: Legal to exclude (best window)
• May 1 – August 31: ILLEGAL to exclude
• September 1 – December: Legal to exclude

Don't gamble. If you think you might have bats, get an inspection NOW.

Cost Comparison: Prevention vs. Reactive Exclusion

Scenario 1: Preventive Sealing (February)

You schedule an inspection in February. We find 6 vulnerable entry points. No wildlife inside yet.

Cost to seal preventively: $800-1,200

Result: Wildlife never moves in. Problem prevented.

Scenario 2: Reactive Exclusion (April, Baby Season)

You wait. In April, you hear scratching. We find squirrels with babies in your attic.

Cost for exclusion: $2,200-2,800
Timeline: 2-3 weeks
Includes: Baby removal, one-way doors, multiple visits, attic cleanup

You pay 2x more and deal with weeks of hassle.

Scenario 3: Delayed Action (June, Full Infestation)

You ignore it until June. Now you have multiple squirrels, destroyed insulation, and chewed wiring.

Cost for exclusion + restoration: $4,500-7,000
Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Includes: Multiple animal removal, extensive attic cleanup, insulation replacement, electrical inspection

You pay 5x more than prevention would have cost.

How Homeland Wildlife Handles Spring Wildlife

Our Process:

1. Thorough Inspection

• Identify all entry points (usually 8-15 per home)
• Check for active wildlife and babies
• Document everything with photos

2. Customized Approach

• If no babies: Standard exclusion (3-5 days)
• If babies present: One-way doors + manual baby removal
• If bats during maternity season: Schedule for September

3. Complete Sealing

• Steel mesh and aluminum (not foam)
• Paint to match your home
• Seal EVERY entry point

4. Cleanup and Restoration (If Needed)

• Remove contaminated insulation
• Sanitize attic
• Blow in fresh insulation to R-38

5. Lifetime Warranty

• Renewable annually
• Covers all our work forever

The Bottom Line

Spring wildlife season is coming. Pregnant females are looking for nesting sites right now.

You have three options:

Option 1: Prevent (Best)
Seal your home in January – February before wildlife moves in.
Cost: $800-1,500
Timeline: 1-2 days
Hassle: Minimal

Option 2: React Early (Okay)
Address wildlife in March – April when you first hear scratching.
Cost: $1,800-2,800
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Hassle: Moderate

Option 3: Wait (Worst)
Ignore it until summer when damage is extensive.
Cost: $4,500-8,000
Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Hassle: Maximum

The choice is obvious. Act now, before baby season complicates everything.

Ready to protect your home before spring wildlife season? Call Homeland Wildlife & Pest Control at 210-776-6100 for a free inspection. We'll identify vulnerabilities and seal them before animals move in.

15 years serving San Antonio. Lifetime warranty. Don't wait until you hear scratching.

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