University of Illinois Extension

Identifying the Animal Causing a Problem

Damage to Buildings

Raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) damage. After making sure that the raccoon was not underneath the building, this hole was repaired with hardware cloth. Photo courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=raccoon">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Raccoon
A raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) removed the soffit lining. Photo courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=raccoon">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Raccoon
Damage to a roof caused by a raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>). Photo courtesy of Chad Schieler. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=raccoon">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Raccoon
Boards can be temporarily nailed to a roof to keep out animals until repair work can be completed. Make sure that animals are not trapped inside before sealing off holes or openings or doing repair work. Photo courtesy of Chad Schieler <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=raccoon">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Raccoon
A raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) damaged this roof. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=raccoon">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Raccoon
Newspaper was loosely stuffed into the hole to determine if a squirrel was still using the site. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=treesquirrels">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Tree Squirrels
Woodchuck (<i>Marmota monax</i>) burrow. Photo courtesy of the Unites States Department of Agriculture. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=woodchuck">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Woodchuck or "Ground Hog"
A woodchuck (<i>Marmota monax</i>) excavated a burrow underneath this shed. Photo courtesy of Laura Kammin, University of Illinois Extension. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=woodchuck">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Woodchuck or "Ground Hog"
Check buildings regularly to see if repairs need to be made. Hole in weathered soffits make it easy for birds and animals to gain access to the building. Photo courtesy of Laura Kammin, University of Illinois. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=starling">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
European Starling
Holes in soffits are often used by European starlings (<i>Sturnus vulgaris</i>) or house sparrows (<i>Passer domesticus</i>) as nest sites. Make repairs before the breeding season begins in the Spring to avoid trapping birds inside the building. Photo courtesy of Laura Kammin, University of Illinois Extension. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=starling">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
European Starling
Damage to wood siding caused by Northern flicker (<i>Colaptes auratus</i>). Photo courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=woodpecker">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Woodpeckers
Identify an Animal