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Urban Wildlife

Uninvited Guests: A Guide to Common Urban Wildlife Invaders in Northwest Arkansas

When scratching sounds in the attic or mysterious droppings in the garage start showing up, it’s time to consider the real possibility: you’re not alone. Across Northwest Arkansas, urban wildlife intrusions are becoming increasingly common, especially as raccoons, squirrels, bats, and other critters adapt to city and suburban life.

This guide breaks down the most common urban wildlife pests that Flex Pest Control handles in homes and businesses, highlighting the risks they pose and the humane, effective methods we use to remove them.

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Adult raccoon with distinctive black mask and ringed tail standing on a paved road with green foliage background
Close-up of a raccoon's face showing detailed fur, dark eye patches, and whiskers in natural light
Curious raccoon standing on a wooden deck with green foliage in the background in natural light.

Raccoons

Adult raccoon with distinctive black mask and ringed tail standing on a paved road with green foliage background

BEHAVIOR

Raccoons are intelligent and dexterous, often using their "hands" to pry open vents, climb down chimneys, or find weak points in siding. They love attics, crawl spaces, and garages. They might be cute, but they've been known to steal and cause plenty of destruction in their paths, especially where people's trash cans are involved.

Close-up of a raccoon's face showing detailed fur, dark eye patches, and whiskers in natural light

RISKS

  • Droppings may carry rabies and roundworm
  • Chewed wires and insulation pose fire hazards
  • Messy nests and torn ductwork
Curious raccoon standing on a wooden deck with green foliage in the background in natural light.

FLEX SOLUTION

We use one-way door exclusions, live trapping when necessary, and seal entry points with metal flashing. Raccoon-proofing your home is essential to prevent re-entry.

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Gray squirrel perched on a textured tree stump in a grassy backyard with a stone path in the background
Curious squirrel peeking through wooden fence slats with blurred green background in daylight.
Gray squirrel standing on wooden deck outside looking through a glass door near a metal bowl and wooden furniture.

Squirrels

Gray squirrel perched on a textured tree stump in a grassy backyard with a stone path in the background

BEHAVIOR

Squirrels, especially gray squirrels, gnaw through rooflines, soffits, and attic vents to create cozy nests. Active year-round, they're especially invasive in cooler months. As outdoor temperatures drop, your home becomes more and more appealing to pests.

Curious squirrel peeking through wooden fence slats with blurred green background in daylight.

RISKS

  • Chewed wiring (a leading cause of attic fires)
  • Torn insulation and contaminated droppings
  • Noisy daytime activity in ceilings and walls
Gray squirrel standing on wooden deck outside looking through a glass door near a metal bowl and wooden furniture.

FLEX SOLUTION

We install squirrel exclusion devices that allow escape but not re-entry, then seal all access points with durable mesh and hardware. Trimming overhanging branches helps reduce roof access.

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Close-up of a black and white striped baby skunk standing in green grass with soft focus background
Striped skunk with raised tail walking on grassy ground with dry leaves scattered around.
Black and white striped skunk walking near a tree in a forested area with greenery and dried leaves.

Skunks

Close-up of a black and white striped baby skunk standing in green grass with soft focus background

BEHAVIOR

Skunks dig under porches, decks, fences, sheds, and sometimes even external AC units, looking for shelter. They're nocturnal and drawn to food sources like pet food or garbage. Unfortunately for pet owners, many skunks are attracted to homes with other animals in hopes of scoring food. That usually leads to your furry friends getting sprayed at one point or another.

Striped skunk with raised tail walking on grassy ground with dry leaves scattered around.

RISKS

  • Their spray can cause respiratory irritation
  • They may carry rabies
  • Burrowing can damage foundations and attract other pests
Black and white striped skunk walking near a tree in a forested area with greenery and dried leaves.

FLEX SOLUTION

We use covered traps to prevent spraying and install underground barriers to block future burrowing. Our team ensures safe, scent-free removal.

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Don't DIY Dangerous Wildlife Problems

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While a few noises or droppings might seem like a small issue, urban wildlife can escalate into real health and safety concerns. From attic fires to dangerous diseases, it's safer, and often more cost-effective, to trust the professionals.

Contact Flex Pest Control today to schedule a wildlife inspection and reclaim your home from unwanted guests.

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Bat hanging upside down from a tree branch in a green forest, displaying its brown and black fur and wings.
Fruit bat hanging upside down on a mossy tree branch eating fruit in green forest background
Flying fruit bat with outstretched wings in a blurred green forest background during daytime

Bats

Bat hanging upside down from a tree branch in a green forest, displaying its brown and black fur and wings.

BEHAVIOR

Bats often roost in attics, gables, or wall voids, especially in spring and summer. While they're beneficial insect-eaters, their indoor presence poses real problems, especially where your health is concerned.

Fruit bat hanging upside down on a mossy tree branch eating fruit in green forest background

RISKS

  • Guano buildup can spread histoplasmosis
  • Risk of rabies exposure
  • Odor and insect infestations
Flying fruit bat with outstretched wings in a blurred green forest background during daytime

FLEX SOLUTION

We install bat-specific one-way valves during the non-maternity season (August-April) and seal vents with bat-safe guards. We follow Arkansas wildlife laws to protect both you and the bats.

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Brown rat sniffing plants on a concrete sidewalk near green bushes in a natural outdoor setting
Close-up of a brown rat peeking from under a wooden structure surrounded by scattered sunflower seeds.
Close-up of a small gray mouse peeking over a wooden surface with blurred background.

Mice

Brown rat sniffing plants on a concrete sidewalk near green bushes in a natural outdoor setting

BEHAVIOR

Mice squeeze through gaps as small as a dime and often nest in walls, basements, and attics. Deer mice are particularly common in rural areas adjacent to towns like Springdale and Rogers. Once they find a way inside to get access to food and water, it's a real challenge to get them out.

Close-up of a brown rat peeking from under a wooden structure surrounded by scattered sunflower seeds.

RISKS

  • Hantavirus and food contamination
  • Constant gnawing on insulation, wood, and wires
  • Rapid breeding = fast infestations
Close-up of a small gray mouse peeking over a wooden surface with blurred background.

FLEX SOLUTION

Our team traps humanely, seals entry points with steel wool and caulk, and identifies food attractants. We also offer sanitation guidance to prevent return.

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Brown rat with coarse fur standing on asphalt near blue railing in outdoor setting with green background
Small brown rat resting on a fluffy white carpet near wooden furniture indoors.
Black rat on kitchen shelf sniffing a stack of white and orange dishes with utensils in the background

Rats

Brown rat with coarse fur standing on asphalt near blue railing in outdoor setting with green background

BEHAVIOR

Norway and roof rats thrive in urban neighborhoods, entering through crawl spaces, basements, or broken vents. They're strong climbers and burrowers, and they're even stronger at chewing through your home's foundation and insulation.

Small brown rat resting on a fluffy white carpet near wooden furniture indoors.

RISKS

  • Chew wiring, plumbing, and foundation materials
  • Spread diseases like Salmonella
  • Nest in insulation or behind appliances
Black rat on kitchen shelf sniffing a stack of white and orange dishes with utensils in the background

FLEX SOLUTION

Our rat removal plans include live or mechanical trapping, entry sealing, and ongoing monitoring to ensure total removal and prevent reinfestation.

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How Flex Protects Your Property

Each of these animals requires a different approach. At Flex Pest Control, we:

  • Conduct thorough inspections to locate entry points and attractants
  • Provide humane removal using traps or exclusion tools
  • Seal and repair vulnerable areas to keep animals out
  • Offer sanitation and habitat modification for long-term results

We also prioritize compliance with Arkansas Game and Fish regulations, using only ethical and legal techniques for wildlife control and exclusion.

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Additional Services

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Tired of pests running your home? When infestations happen, it can feel like you are trapped in a situation that you can't escape. That's where Flex Pest Control Bentonville AR comes in. We offer pest control services all year long so that you can keep up with your home's demands and avoid seasonal pest infestations.

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Brown rat sniffing plants on a concrete sidewalk near green bushes in a natural outdoor setting

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Mole control
Close-up of a raccoon's face showing detailed fur, dark eye patches, and whiskers in natural light

Raccoon Removal
Curious squirrel standing on wooden deck outside window with paws together near metal bowl and small bench.

Squirrel Control 
Close-up of a baby skunk with black fur and a distinctive white stripe resting on wood outdoors.

Skunk Removal
Flying fruit bat with outstretched wings in a blurred green forest background during daytime

Bat Control
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Appreciate the job that Flex does each time at my house. They are professional and they have the absolute best customer service in the business. I have never had any recalls or issues. William did a great job today.. Thanks for Thumbs up pic showing me you were done…
Kade did an amazing job and explained everything he did so simply! We love Flex and haven’t seen any bugs since we signed up with them!!
Flex Pest Control is a great company with excellent customer service and technicians! JD came for our routine service this week and he was awesome, very thorough, helpful and kind. He ask about any issues we may be having and explained what he was servicing this quarter and offered some helpful...
Flex Pest Control is a great company with excellent customer service and technicians! JD came for our routine service this week and he was awesome, very thorough, helpful and kind. He ask about any issues we may be having and explained what he was servicing this quarter and offered some helpful tips. Highly recommend Flex Pest Control.

Flex pest is wonderful! I don’t do ants, but they do! Last week we had a lot of activity, but they sent a service person out within 24 hours and were able to accurately determine the source of our problem! Their professional communication as well as their ability to deliver great product and...
Flex pest is wonderful! I don’t do ants, but they do! Last week we had a lot of activity, but they sent a service person out within 24 hours and were able to accurately determine the source of our problem! Their professional communication as well as their ability to deliver great product and service earns them 5 stars!

We've been with Flex since 2023 and I can't say enough good things about them! They've worked with us through all our address changes and different pest needs, and never said "we can't do that for you". They always let me know when they'll be stopping by and give me an update on what was done...
We've been with Flex since 2023 and I can't say enough good things about them! They've worked with us through all our address changes and different pest needs, and never said "we can't do that for you". They always let me know when they'll be stopping by and give me an update on what was done that day. Always friendly, polite, and professional, and always do the job right the first time. Highly recommend!

They always respond promptly and will come out whenever we need. It is so convenient and much better than the bi annual companies that only come out 2 times a year. It puts my mind at ease because you never know when pests will pop up in your home. Enrique was pleasant to work with and was on...
They always respond promptly and will come out whenever we need. It is so convenient and much better than the bi annual companies that only come out 2 times a year. It puts my mind at ease because you never know when pests will pop up in your home. Enrique was pleasant to work with and was on time to the appointment.

Patrick was just here for our house service and he was FANTASTIC! He really explained everything he was doing and let me know what was going on with the ants! 10/10 recommendation on this company and if you need anybody sent out I hope it’s Patrick!
I've used FlaxPest for 7 years, ever since we moved to Arkansas. They have always provided excellant, thorourgh service with courtious and efficient technicians who take the time to answer any questions and explain the process. We recently aquired a duplex and I didn't hesitate to call them to...
I've used FlaxPest for 7 years, ever since we moved to Arkansas. They have always provided excellant, thorourgh service with courtious and efficient technicians who take the time to answer any questions and explain the process. We recently aquired a duplex and I didn't hesitate to call them to add that to our service contract - wouldn't have considered anyone else!

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