When homeowners hear scratching in the attic or discover wildlife behind the walls, one of the first questions they ask is: “Can this be solved today?” It’s a fair question — wildlife in the home is stressful and homeowners understandably want the quickest solution possible.

Every home, every species, and every scenario is different. Factors like the type of animal, accessibility, level of damage created by the animal,  and whether babies are present all play a major role in what can realistically be completed in one visit.

This is why the property assessment is always the first step. During this initial visit, our trained technicians thoroughly inspect the home to understand exactly what’s happening, where animals are entering, and what level of work is required to resolve the problem. This assessment allows them to determine what tools, equipment, and ladders are needed, and how many technicians must return to complete the job safely and effectively.

Sometimes a wildlife issue can be fully resolved during the first visit — but in many cases, especially when babies are involved, the process requires more than one day to ensure the work is done humanely and permanently.

At Skedaddle, our goal has never been a quick fix. Our goal is a complete, long-term solution that protects both your home and the wildlife that depends on it.

When a Wildlife Problem Can Be Resolved in One Visit

There are some situations where a technician can assess the problem, remove the animal, and complete the full exclusion all in the same day. This typically happens when:

• No babies are present
  
• The animals are confined to a specific part of the home, like a vent or chimney
  
• The wildlife is inside the living space of the home 
• There is only one entry point in an area that is easy to access
  
• There is minimal structural damage
  

In these cases, the technician may be able to:

• Remove the animal humanely
  
• Seal the entry point
  
• Install wildlife-proof materials
  
• Reinforce weak spots
  
• Complete the full repair process
  

But not every wildlife situation is this straightforward.

When It Can’t Be Fixed in One Visit: Why Babies Change the Entire Process

The most common reasons a wildlife issue cannot be solved are:

There are Babies in the Home

Raccoons, squirrels, skunks, and other species frequently use attics and wall voids as nurseries. Baby animals cannot leave on their own, so humane removal must always come first — no exceptions.

In these cases, the first visit focuses on:

• Locating the babies
• Removing them safely by hand
• Reuniting them with the mother outdoors
• Installing temporary controls
• Ensuring the family remains together 

When One-Way Doors Are Needed

In some cases — especially with species like bats, mice, raccoons, or squirrels — a one-way door is the most humane and effective way to guide the animals out of the home. These devices allow wildlife to exit freely while preventing them from coming back in.

Areas like crawl spaces and attics make this especially important. These spaces are dark, tight, and full of corners, insulation, and structural framing — perfect hiding spots for wildlife. Animals can easily move away from technicians, run to the opposite end of the space, or hide in areas that are unsafe or inaccessible to reach during the first visit. This is exactly where one-way doors become essential, ensuring the animals can leave safely even when they can’t be directly removed.

However, one-way doors require a return visit once the animals have safely left the space. After the exit period is complete, our team returns to:

• Confirm all wildlife has vacated
• Remove the one-way door
• Complete the final sealing and exclusion work

This two-step process ensures that animals leave naturally and safely, and that the home is permanently secured once the exit route is no longer needed. This careful, phased approach is at the core of Skedaddle’s humane philosophy — ensuring that every animal leaves safely and every home stays protected.

As Skedaddle technician Brandon Hart explains, “I tell homeowners all the time that getting the animal out is the quick part. Making sure they can’t come back — that’s where the real work is. Exclusion is what protects your home for good.”

Other Reasons More Than One Visit is Needed:

Beyond babies and one-way doors, several other factors determine whether a job needs multiple visits:

• The number of entry points and size of the home
• The level of damage inside the home
• Whether insulation is contaminated
• Weather problems or access limitations for technicians
• Structural safety concerns for technicians

Our technicians assess all of this in the initial property assessment to help build a customized plan for the home.

Skedaddle Creates Long-Term Solutions

The true strength of Skedaddle’s process is its permanence. With the right exclusion and repairs in place, homeowners don’t have to fear repeat infestations.

After 35+ years, we know one thing for certain, a wildlife problem isn’t truly solved until the home is secured. Whether that takes one visit or several, Skedaddle ensures it’s done right — humanely, safely, and built to last.