Louisville, KY — July was a record-breaking month for our field team. The high temperatures and humidity have driven wildlife to seek cooler, secure shelter, often bringing them into conflict with homeowners.

Here is a breakdown of our activity for July 2025 and what it means for you.

The Numbers

• Raccoons Removed: 142 (Up 15% from last year)
• Bat Inspections: 56 (Preparing for August exclusion season)
• Groundhog Jobs: 38 (Mostly under decks and sheds)
• Snake Calls: 22 (Including 3 Copperheads)

Analysis: Why the Spike?

1. Raccoons: The “Teenage” Phase

By July, the baby raccoons born in March and April are now “teenagers.” They are mobile, active, and starting to explore. This leads to increased noise in attics as the whole family moves around. It also leads to more trapping success, as the young ones are less cautious than the adults.

• Trend: We are seeing a lot of damage to soffits as these young raccoons try to force their way in and out of tight spaces.

2. Bats: The Heat Factor

Attics in July can reach 130°F+. This is too hot even for bats. To escape the heat, bats often move down the walls into cooler voids. This brings them closer to living spaces, leading to more bats flying inside bedrooms and kitchens.

• Reminder: We cannot evict colonies yet (maternity season ends August 15th), but we have been busy performing inspections and sealing off living quarters to keep residents safe.

3. Groundhogs: Garden Raids

July is peak garden season, and groundhogs are feasting. We have seen extensive damage to vegetable gardens in St. Matthews and the Highlands. The dry weather has also encouraged them to dig deeper burrows under foundations in search of moisture.

Looking Ahead: August Forecast

As we move into August, we expect a shift in activity:

• Bat Exclusion: August 15th marks the opening of bat exclusion season. We expect our schedule to fill up instantly with eviction jobs.
• Yellow Jackets: While we don’t treat bugs, we often get calls about “ground bees” disturbing skunks. Skunks will dig up yellow jacket nests to eat the larvae. If you see dug-up patches in your lawn, it might be a skunk.
• Squirrels: Fall nesting behavior will begin soon. Squirrels will start scouting for winter homes. Now is the time to check your roof vents and make repairs before they move in.

Stay vigilant, Louisville. If you hear a noise, don’t ignore it. Catching a problem in August is much cheaper than fixing the damage in December.