Wildlife Glossary

Attic exclusion

Sealing every gap that leads to the attic so animals cannot return.

Bat guano

Bat droppings, often in a pile below a roost, that can carry spores and should be cleaned with protection.

Colony

A group of animals, such as bats, that share one roost.

Crawl space

The low, unfinished area under a house, often a favorite den.

Den

The shelter an animal chooses for sleeping and raising young.

Dig guard

Mesh buried or bent outward at the base of a barrier to stop animals from digging under.

Entry point

Any gap, hole or damaged spot an animal uses to get into a building.

Exclusion

Closing a building so animals cannot get in, usually after they have left.

Fascia

The board along the edge of the roof where the gutter attaches.

Gable vent

A vent in the triangular wall under the roof peak, often screened to keep animals out.

Hardware cloth

Welded steel mesh used for strong, chew-proof screens and seals.

Hazing

Using noise, lights or movement to make an animal feel unwelcome and move along.

Humane trap

A live trap that holds an animal without injury so it can be released.

Latrine

A spot where an animal returns again and again to leave droppings.

Maternity season

The time of year when females raise young, when bats and other animals often cannot be removed.

Nuisance wildlife

Wild animals that cause trouble for people, property or pets.

One-way door

A device that lets an animal leave through a hole but not come back in.

Relocation

Releasing a captured animal in suitable habitat away from the property, within local rules.

Roost

The place where bats or birds rest or sleep during the day.

Rub marks

Dark greasy smears along the paths rats use.

Scat

Another word for animal droppings.

Soffit

The underside of the roof overhang, often the place where animals break in.

Thermal camera

A camera that shows heat, used to find animals hidden in walls and attics.

Track

A print left by an animal's foot in mud, dust or snow.

Trail camera

A motion-triggered camera used to see what visits a property at night.

Vapor barrier

A plastic sheet over the ground in a crawl space that keeps moisture down.

Wildlife exclusion

The whole process of removing animals and then sealing the building against them.

Wildlife rehabilitation

Care for injured or orphaned wild animals until they can be released.

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