June is a busy month for wildlife in Virginia. By this point in the year, many animals are either breeding, preparing nesting sites, or actively raising their young. That can make homeowners more likely to hear scratching in the attic, notice activity around a crawl space, find animals under a deck or shed, or spot nests in vents, chimneys, and other protected areas.
For wildlife, these spaces offer warmth, shelter, and protection from predators. For homeowners, they can lead to noise, odors, insulation damage, chewed entry points, blocked vents, and safety concerns.
The important thing to remember is that wildlife removal during baby season is not the same as removing a single adult animal. If babies are present, exclusion has to be handled carefully so the young are not trapped inside and the mother is not separated from them. In some cases, local, state, or federal rules may also affect when and how removal can be performed.
If you suspect wildlife is nesting in your home, it is best to have the area inspected before sealing any openings. Reach out to Summit Wildlife Removal via our online contact form or by calling 703-884-2124.
Squirrels
June marks the start of the second mating season of the year for squirrels. The female’s gestation period is roughly 38 to 46 days, with summer litters typically arriving in late summer or early fall. Baby squirrels rely completely on their mother for the first several weeks of life and are usually weaned at around 10 weeks.
When a female squirrel is preparing for a litter, she looks for a warm, protected nesting location. In the wild, that may be a tree cavity or leaf nest. Around homes, attics, soffits, rooflines, and wall voids can offer the same type of shelter.
Once inside, squirrels may tear insulation, chew wood or wiring, and create or expand entry points along the roofline. If babies are present, sealing the opening too soon can trap them inside. A proper inspection helps determine whether there is an active nest and how removal should be handled.
Opossums
The Virginia opossum is North America’s only native marsupial. Opossums can breed through much of the year, with young commonly born in late winter through early summer. After a very short gestation period, the newborns crawl into the mother’s pouch, where they continue developing for about two months. As they grow, they may ride on the mother’s back while they continue learning how to find food and shelter.
Opossums do not usually cause the same chewing damage as squirrels, but they can still create problems when they den too close to a home. They may take shelter under porches, decks, sheds, crawl spaces, and other quiet areas. Homeowners may notice droppings, odor, disturbed insulation, or activity around foundation openings.
Because young opossums may be hidden in a pouch or nearby den site, removal should be handled carefully. The goal is not just to remove the adult animal, but to make sure dependent young are not left behind.
Birds
June is the peak of baby bird season. Many birds found in Virginia (starlings, pigeons, sparrows, vultures, woodpeckers, and more) are leaving their nests, learning to fly, and beginning to forage for food on their own. Seeing nests around the yard, porch, or trees is normal and usually not a problem.
Issues can happen when birds build nests in places that affect the safety or function of the home. Dryer vents, bathroom vents, chimneys, gutters, soffits, and roofline gaps can all become nesting sites. Nesting material can block airflow, create fire hazards, hold moisture, and attract insects.
Active bird nests should never be disturbed without understanding the rules that apply. Many birds, their eggs, and their active nests are protected by law. If birds are nesting in a vent, chimney, or other hazardous location, a professional can help determine the safest and most compliant next step.
Skunks
Skunk mating season is from February to March, and the kits are born in late spring and early summer. Female skunks give birth to litters of about 2 to 10 kits in underground dens, and by June, those kits may start emerging and following the mother as she searches for food.
Homeowners may notice skunks in the yard during the summer months, either by seeing them near dusk or smelling their strong odor around the property. In many cases, a skunk passing through the yard is not an immediate problem. Skunks often move through lawns, wooded edges, and garden areas while looking for insects, grubs, and other food sources.
The concern starts when a skunk digs under a porch, deck, shed, crawl space, or other structure. These spaces can make appealing den sites since they provide protection for the mother and her young. If you suspect a skunk family is living under part of your home, avoid blocking the opening or trying to remove the animal yourself. Trapping or sealing the area without checking for kits can separate the mother from her young and make the situation worse.
A wildlife removal professional can inspect the den site, determine whether young skunks are present, and recommend the safest removal and exclusion plan.
Foxes
By June, foxes in Virginia are typically raising their young. This can lead to more daytime sightings, especially as adults search for food or monitor den areas. Homeowners may see foxes crossing yards, moving through wooded edges, or lingering near sheds, decks, brush piles, or other sheltered areas. Fox kits are very active as they build critical hunting skills and socialize with their littermates, so you may even see them playing with each other.
During pup-rearing season, adults may appear more defensive if people or pets get too close to a den. This does not always mean the animal is sick or aggressive. In many cases, it means their young are nearby.
If a fox den is close to a home, avoid approaching it, feeding the animals, or letting pets investigate the area. A professional can assess whether the animals are simply passing through, temporarily denning, or creating a true nuisance concern.
Bats
June is an important month for bats because it falls during maternity season. Female bats gather in warm, protected roosting areas to give birth and raise their pups. Attics, wall gaps, fascia openings, and other high, sheltered spaces can provide the kind of stable environment a maternity colony needs.
This is also why bat exclusion has to be timed carefully. If flightless pups are present, sealing the bats out can trap young bats inside the structure. That can create odor, health concerns, and a bigger problem for the homeowner.
During maternity season, the first step is usually an inspection. A wildlife professional can identify how bats are entering, determine whether a maternity colony may be present, and plan exclusion for the appropriate time.
What To Be Aware Of Before Exclusion
Wildlife removal in June requires more care because many animals are not alone. There may be babies hidden in an attic, crawl space, chimney, vent, wall void, or den site. Sealing an opening without checking for young can trap animals inside and make the problem worse.
Proper wildlife removal during breeding and baby season may include:
- Inspecting the structure for entry points, nesting material, droppings, and signs of young
- Following applicable local, state, and federal rules
- Using humane removal methods when young are present
- Timing exclusion so dependent babies are not trapped inside
- Sealing entry points after the animals are gone
- Cleaning and repairing affected areas when needed
Contact a Wildlife Removal Expert
If you are hearing wildlife in your attic, seeing animals under your porch, or noticing activity around vents or rooflines, do not seal the area right away. Summit Wildlife Removal for an inspection so the problem can be handled safely, legally, and completely. For a free inspection and more information, give us a call at 703-884-2124 or fill out our online contact form.
