{"id":37343,"date":"2026-01-02T17:03:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T22:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/?p=37343"},"modified":"2026-01-22T10:55:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T15:55:13","slug":"when-are-critters-a-problem-in-north-carolina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/blog\/when-are-critters-a-problem-in-north-carolina\/","title":{"rendered":"When Are Critters a Problem in North Carolina?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina is home to thousands of wild species, from the mountains to the oceans. Black bears, beavers, raccoons, deer, fox, squirrels, and frogs are some of these key players in springtime. Bears usually come out of hibernation in early to mid-April, while other species are more commonly seen year-round. With these animals, there are several notes to be aware of, especially if you own or rent property and like to open doors and windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For indoor settings, chimneys and vents become hot spots for wildlife. By regularly checking them for activity, you can decrease the chances of animals nesting and raising their young indoors. Windows, lawns, trees, and building sidings are also common areas for wildlife visitors. Small steps like adding window screens, surveying your lawn for habitats before mowing, and trimming your tree branches, are helpful to ensure your safety as well as the animal\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A grueling, sticky, hot and humid North Carolina summer day doesn\u2019t just make for potentially cranky kids at the pool or a sweat-soaked polo on the golf course \u2013 summer\u2019s heat affects the animal population just as much as it does citizens of the state. Since so much of the area is made of suburban areas rich with greenways, natural areas, and stretches of woodland, it\u2019s likely that people spending time outdoors will come across some wildlife, and it\u2019s important to know if and how the heat may affect those encounters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shelter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing that animals \u2013 and most people \u2013 will do when the thermometer creeps over 100 degrees is to seek shelter. And both animals and people usually find a nice, air-conditioned house to be an excellent choice of shelter to cool off. Moving into summer, be aware if your home has any openings that pests or other animals might make use of in order to survive the hottest days of the year. The good news, of course, is that you\u2019re less likely to run into animals in the wild in severe heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wild and domestic animals will show a shift in their eating habits once the heat kicks into high gear, because seasonal changes in daylight and temperature trigger significant hormonal changes in mammals. These shifts alter the animal\u2019s metabolism and greatly influence food intake. As temperatures increase, mammals become less active and therefore burn less energy. As days get longer during the warmer months, mammals will show decreased food seeking behavior and shifts in cellular metabolism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s that mean? Your dog won\u2019t be as hungry. But, a lower bill for pet food isn\u2019t the only benefit you\u2019ll see with animals eating less in the heat \u2013 you\u2019ll see a tapering of pests scavenging for food. So, the tradeoff is a few 100 degree days for fewer raccoons flipping over your trash cans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fall Animal Problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Autumn in North Carolina marks a major transition period for nuisance wildlife. As temperatures cool and daylight shortens, many animals shift from summer foraging to denning, nesting, and overwintering behaviors. This seasonal change increases the likelihood of wildlife entering homes, attics, crawl spaces, sheds, and chimneys. Homes with gaps, roofline damage, uncapped chimneys, or accessible crawl spaces are especially vulnerable during this time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Common Fall Pests in North Carolina<\/h3>\n\n\n\n