Wildlife Exclusion

The Phoenix Valley sits at the boundary of urban development and the Sonoran Desert, and that proximity brings wildlife directly into contact with residential neighborhoods. Pack rats, roof rats, gophers, ground squirrels, and other animals find shelter, food, and water around homes — especially those near washes, open lots, and undeveloped desert. Patrick's Home Solutions provides humane wildlife exclusion services that remove animals from your property and seal entry points to prevent them from coming back.

Pack Rats and Roof Rats

Pack rats — also called trade rats or woodrats — are the most common wildlife nuisance for homeowners in Surprise, Buckeye, Goodyear, and other West Valley communities that border open desert. They build large nests using debris, cactus pads, and materials they collect from around your property. Pack rat nests are commonly found in engine compartments of vehicles, inside pool equipment enclosures, under decorative rock, and in garage storage areas.

The damage pack rats cause goes well beyond the mess. They chew through electrical wiring in vehicles and homes, gnaw on irrigation lines, and contaminate storage areas with droppings and urine. Vehicle damage from pack rat chewing is one of the most expensive pest-related repairs homeowners in the Valley face, often running into thousands of dollars for wiring harness replacement.

Roof rats, while less common than pack rats in the outer suburbs, are increasingly present in established neighborhoods across Phoenix, Glendale, and Scottsdale. They travel along block walls, utility lines, and tree branches to access rooftops, where they enter through gaps in roofing, vents, and eaves. Once inside an attic, they nest rapidly and create noise, contamination, and structural damage.

Gophers and Ground Squirrels

Gophers tunnel through yards, damaging irrigation systems, root structures, and landscaping. Their mounds are unsightly and create tripping hazards. Ground squirrels burrow near foundations and retaining walls, potentially undermining structural stability over time. Both species are persistent and reproduce quickly, making professional trapping and exclusion the most reliable solution.

Our wildlife team uses targeted trapping methods specific to each species, followed by habitat modification recommendations that reduce the conditions attracting these animals to your property. For gopher control, we identify active tunnel systems and place traps in the most productive locations. For ground squirrels, we focus on burrow systems near structures and high-traffic areas.

Our Wildlife Exclusion Process

Wildlife exclusion follows a clear three-step process: inspection, removal, and sealing. During the inspection phase, our technician identifies all active and potential entry points, nesting sites, travel paths, and conditions that are attracting wildlife to your property. We look for droppings, gnaw marks, grease trails, nesting materials, and other signs that tell us exactly what species we are dealing with and where they are most active.

Removal is carried out using humane trapping methods appropriate for each species. We follow all applicable Arizona Department of Agriculture and Arizona Game and Fish regulations regarding wildlife handling and relocation. Traps are monitored regularly and animals are handled professionally.

Once animals are removed, we seal every identified entry point using professional-grade materials designed for the specific area — steel mesh for roof vents and eaves, metal flashing for foundation gaps, and heavy-gauge screening for utility penetrations. The goal is a permanent physical barrier that withstands Arizona conditions and prevents re-entry.

Protecting Your Vehicles From Pack Rats

One of the most common requests we receive is for pack rat protection for vehicles parked outdoors or in open garages. Pack rats are attracted to engine compartments for warmth and shelter, and they cause significant damage by chewing through wiring harnesses, hoses, and insulation. We offer deterrent treatments and habitat modification strategies that reduce pack rat activity around parking areas. Removing nearby harborage — such as dense landscaping, debris piles, and accessible storage — is the most effective first step.

Schedule a Wildlife Inspection

If you are hearing scratching in your attic, finding droppings in your garage, discovering chewed wiring in your car, or seeing gopher mounds in your yard, contact Patrick's Home Solutions for a professional wildlife assessment. We serve the entire Phoenix Valley including Surprise, Peoria, Glendale, Scottsdale, Goodyear, Buckeye, and surrounding communities. Licensed, bonded, and insured — call 623-640-0405 for a free estimate.