Raccoon, Opossum, & Skunk Control Services in Walnut Creek

Safe Removal of Opossums and Nuisance Animals

Walnut Creek offers a wonderful balance of suburban living and access to nature, but this proximity often invites local wildlife right into our backyards. It is not uncommon for residents to wake up to overturned trash cans, the unmistakable scent of a skunk living under a deck, or the unsettling sound of a raccoon exploring the attic. These interactions can quickly escalate from a minor nuisance to a serious problem, causing property damage and posing health risks to your family and pets, requiring immediate professional attention to resolve safely.

At California Exterminating Services, we believe that your home should be a sanctuary, free from the worry of unwanted intruders. Founded in 1953, our family-owned company has spent over 71 years refining our approach to pest and wildlife management. We use Integrated Pest Management to not only remove the animals but to address the root causes of their presence, ensuring we restore the warm sense of security you deserve with fast, efficient, and humane results.

Need help with raccoons or skunks? Call us today at (925) 438-6454, or contact us online for professional service backed by decades of local experience.

Raccoons: The Urban Adaptors

Raccoons are adaptable animals found throughout the Bay Area and are known for their ability to thrive in urban, suburban, and rural environments. 

• Nocturnal Behavior: Raccoons are primarily nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active during the night. However, they may also be active during the early morning and evening hours, especially in urban areas where they have adapted to human activity patterns.
• Denning Sites: Raccoons use a variety of denning sites for shelter and reproduction. Common denning sites include hollow trees, abandoned burrows, rock crevices, and human-made structures such as attics, crawl spaces, and chimneys.
• Destroying Lawns: Raccoons can sometimes cause damage to lawns by ripping up grass in search of food or insects. 

In neighborhoods along Ygnacio Valley Road and near local greenbelts, raccoons are often drawn to yards with easy food and shelter, which can put added stress on homeowners trying to maintain their landscaping and outdoor living spaces. Our team takes time to explain what simple changes you can make around your property, such as securing trash, removing fallen fruit, and addressing openings in fences or sheds, so you can make informed choices about how to reduce future raccoon activity around your home and surrounding structures.

Skunks: The Nocturnal Foragers

• Nocturnal Activity: Skunks are primarily nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active during the night. They spend their days resting in dens, which may be located in underground burrows, hollow logs, brush piles, or other sheltered areas.
• Omnivorous Diet: Skunks are opportunistic feeders with omnivorous diets. They eat a variety of foods, including insects, grubs, small rodents, fruits, berries, seeds, and plants. In urban areas, skunks may also scavenge for human food scraps and garbage.
• Urban Adaptation: Skunks are adaptable animals and can thrive in urban and suburban environments. They are often attracted to residential areas by the availability of food, water, and suitable denning sites. In urban areas, skunks may den under buildings, decks, or other structures and may raid garbage cans or pet food left outdoors.

Because skunks can spray when they feel cornered, they can create strong odors that linger around patios, crawl spaces, and garages in our mild Walnut Creek climate. When you work with a skunk control company Walnut Creek residents have trusted for decades, we focus on gentle, low-stress handling methods and practical exclusion steps so you can feel more comfortable letting kids and pets use the yard again once the situation has been addressed.

Opossums: The Scavengers

• Feigning Death: Opossums often play dead when threatened, which can be startling. However, they can bite if provoked.
• Foraging Behavior: Opossums are opportunistic foragers and may wander widely in search of food. They have a keen sense of smell and are attracted to areas with abundant food sources, such as gardens, compost piles, and garbage cans. Opossums may also raid pet food left outdoors and are known to eat carrion, making them beneficial scavengers.

Around Walnut Creek, opossums are frequently seen moving along fences and near drainage areas, using those routes to access backyards and side yards. When we provide possum control Walnut Creek homeowners request, we not only focus on removing the animal but also share suggestions for managing food sources, tightening up storage areas, and working within local wildlife guidelines so these nocturnal visitors are less likely to linger around your property.

If you encounter any of these animals on your property, it's crucial to maintain a safe distance from them and contact California Exterminating Services for professional wildlife removal.

Our Process for Wildlife Management

At California Exterminating Services, we enthusiastically embrace Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as the backbone of our service philosophy. We don't simply set traps and walk away; we analyze the environment to understand why these animals are attracted to your specific property. Our goal is to provide a long-term solution that respects the local ecosystem while keeping your home secure.

• Detailed Inspection: We take the time to carefully inspect your property, identifying entry points, nesting sites, and food sources that are drawing wildlife in.
• Humane Trapping: We use safe, targeted trapping methods to capture the animals responsibly, prioritizing the safety of the wildlife and your pets.
• Strategic Exclusion: Once the animals are removed, we seal vulnerabilities in your home’s structure—such as broken vents or gaps in the foundation—to prevent them from returning.
• Environmental Advice: We provide guidance on habitat modification, such as securing garbage and removing outdoor pet food, to make your yard less appealing to future intruders.
• Prompt Resolution: We pride ourselves on our ability to provide fast and efficient results, minimizing the disruption to your daily life.

The Importance of Professional Service

Handling wildlife requires more than just courage; it requires a deep understanding of animal behavior and state regulations. Attempting to corner or trap a raccoon, skunk, or opossum on your own can be dangerous. These animals, when threatened, may bite or scratch, potentially transmitting diseases such as rabies or distemper. Furthermore, a skunk’s spray can cause temporary blindness and nausea, creating a hazardous situation for untrained homeowners.

There are also strict legal guidelines in California regarding how wildlife must be trapped and handled. Professional exterminators are licensed and trained to navigate these laws, ensuring that the removal process is ethical and legal. A professional service ensures that the animal is handled humanely and that you are protected from liability.

Finally, effective control is about more than just removal; it is about prevention. Professionals have the tools and materials to perform exclusion work that stands up to persistent wildlife. DIY repairs often fail because they do not account for the strength and determination of animals like raccoons. Trusting an expert ensures that the repair is done right the first time, protecting the long-term integrity of your home.

Why Choose Us for Wildlife Control in Walnut Creek

When you are dealing with wildlife in your yard or home, you need a partner who understands the local environment and prioritizes your safety. We are not just a service provider; we are part of your neighborhood in Walnut Creek and the East Bay. At California Exterminating Services, we combine our family values with professional expertise to deliver results you can trust.

• 71+ Years of Experience: Since 1953, we have been protecting families with reliable solutions refined over decades of service.
• Family-Owned Care: We treat your home with the same protection and respect we demand for our own families.
• Licensed & Insured: Our team is fully licensed and insured, giving you peace of mind that the job is being handled by qualified professionals.
• Affordable Solutions: We believe in providing premium service that won't break the bank, offering budget-friendly options for wildlife control.
• Fast and Efficient: We understand the urgency of wildlife issues and pride ourselves on providing prompt results to restore your security.
• Safety First: Every service we perform is focused on the safety of your family, your pets, and the environment.

Families like yours have relied on us for decades because we consistently deliver the effective solutions that you deserve.

Keep your family and pets safe. Call us today at (925) 438-6454, or contact us online for professional service you can depend on.

FAQs About Wildlife Control

How do you remove raccoons and skunks without hurting them?

At California Exterminating Services, we prioritize humane treatment for all animals. We use specialized cages and trapping methods designed to capture the animal safely without causing injury. Once captured, we handle the situation according to California state laws and regulations, ensuring the animal is treated with care while effectively removing the threat from your property.

Will the animals come back after you remove them?

Removal is only the first step. To ensure they don't return, we focus on "exclusion." This means we identify and seal the entry points—like broken vents or gaps under decks—that allowed them in. By addressing these vulnerabilities and modifying the habitat (like removing food sources), we provide a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix.

What should I do if a skunk has sprayed under my house?

If you smell that unmistakable odor coming from under your home, do not try to seal the area yourself immediately. If you block the exit while the skunk is still inside, it may die there or spray continuously in defense, worsening the problem. Call us immediately so we can remove the animal safely before sealing the area.

Can I catch these animals myself?

We strongly advise against DIY trapping. Raccoons and skunks can be aggressive when cornered and are potential carriers of rabies and other diseases. Additionally, there are strict laws in California regarding the trapping and relocation of wildlife. Our licensed technicians have the training and equipment to handle the job legally and safely, protecting you from injury and liability.

How quickly can you get here?

We know that hearing scratching in your attic or seeing a raccoon on your porch is stressful. We pride ourselves on providing fast and efficient results. When you call us, we aim to schedule an inspection as soon as possible to assess the situation and begin the removal process, restoring your peace of mind quickly.