Common wildlife around South Carolina homes.

Raccoons

Raccoons are strong and adaptable. Trash, pet food, gardens, water, decks, chimneys, and damaged roof edges can attract or admit them. Nighttime rolling or heavy movement overhead can suggest a larger animal.

Squirrels

Squirrels often use tree access and roofline gaps. Daytime scampering, gnawing, or activity near soffits and fascia can point to an attic route.

Opossums and yard visitors

Opossums may follow food, shelter, or pet-feeding areas. A yard sighting is different from an animal nesting under a deck or entering a structure.

Bats and protected species

Wildlife laws and seasonal restrictions can affect removal. Do not seal an active opening or disturb a colony without proper identification and guidance.

Evidence matters

Time of day, sound, droppings, nesting material, visible damage, tracks, and the exact entry point help distinguish species. Avoid direct contact with wildlife or waste.

Yard visitor or structure problem?

An animal crossing the lawn once may need only distance and attractant control. Repeated roof access, a den beneath a deck, sounds inside a wall, accumulating droppings, or damaged vents indicates a different level of concern. Note the route and frequency before changing the area. Removing food can discourage a visitor, but closing a structural opening before the animal and dependent young are out can create a larger problem.

Know who to call in an urgent situation

Bring people and pets indoors if wildlife is trapped, aggressive, disoriented, or unusually unafraid. Do not attempt capture. Contact the appropriate local animal-control, public-health, or wildlife authority when there is immediate risk, possible rabies exposure, an injured animal, or a protected species question. Pest and wildlife service addresses property activity; it does not replace emergency or medical guidance.