Problem
Visible Entry Hole
A visible hole, gap, or damaged opening on your home, outbuilding, or commercial structure may be a sign that wildlife has already entered or is testing the structure for access. Borland Wildlife Solutions inspects the opening, looks for the animal behind it, and helps plan exclusion and repair based on what is actually happening on site.
What a visible hole may mean
Not every opening means an animal is actively inside, but it should be taken seriously. Wildlife may use existing construction gaps, enlarge weak areas, or return to a previously used access point. A visible entry hole can point to an active wildlife issue, a recurring vulnerability, or damage that now needs exclusion work before a problem develops.
Common wildlife causes
- Raccoons pulling at soffits, vents, roof edges, or weak fascia
- Squirrels chewing or widening small openings along rooflines and eaves
- Bats using narrow gaps at trim, louvers, flashing, or siding transitions
- Birds entering damaged vents, signs, ledges, and building cavities
- Skunks or other animals accessing areas under decks, sheds, or porches
- Groundhogs creating burrow openings near foundations or structures
Warning signs to watch for
- Fresh chewing, claw marks, staining, or displaced materials around the opening
- Noises in the attic, walls, chimney, or soffit
- Droppings, odor, nesting material, or visible tracks nearby
- Repeated animal activity at dawn, dusk, or overnight
- Insulation disturbance, contamination, or interior staining
- A hole that appears to be getting larger over time
Inspection matters
Closing a hole before identifying the animal, entry pattern, and any young or nesting activity can make the problem worse. Proper inspection helps determine whether removal, one-way exclusion, cleanup, repair, or monitoring is needed.
Editable photo area
Add real Borland photographs here later, such as damaged soffits, roof gaps, vent failures, burrow openings, before-and-after repairs, or inspection findings from the field.
What Borland inspects
- The size, location, and condition of the opening
- Rooflines, soffits, fascia, vents, flashing, and siding transitions
- Tracks, staining, droppings, nesting, hair, feathers, or odor
- Whether the opening appears active, historic, or weather-related
- Additional weak points that could become future entry sites
- Interior signs in attics, walls, crawlspaces, or utility areas
- Whether exclusion timing matters because of young animals or nesting
- What level of repair, cleanup, or restoration may be needed afterward
Exclusion and repair needs
Once the animal issue is understood, the next step is preventing re-entry. That may involve sealing secondary gaps, installing exclusion materials, repairing damaged building components, and addressing contamination or insulation damage if wildlife has been inside for any length of time.
- Wildlife exclusion to close vulnerable access points
- Wildlife damage repair for soffits, fascia, vents, trim, or other damaged areas
- Attic cleanup and restoration when contamination or insulation damage is present
- Wildlife contamination cleanup where droppings, nesting, or odor need professional attention
Related services and wildlife
Related services
Related wildlife pages
Frequently asked questions
Can I just seal the hole myself?
It depends on what is using the opening and whether the animal is currently inside. Sealing too early can trap wildlife, separate young from the mother, or push the animal to another part of the structure.
Does a visible hole always mean wildlife is inside?
Not always. Some openings are inactive or weather-related, but they can still become future access points. Inspection helps determine whether the issue is active and what should happen next.
What kinds of repairs are usually needed?
That depends on where the opening is located and how it was created. Common repair needs include soffit work, vent protection, trim replacement, exclusion sealing, and restoration of damaged materials.
Can Borland inspect homes, commercial buildings, and outbuildings?
Yes. Borland Wildlife Solutions handles wildlife issues across residential, commercial, and farm and ranch settings throughout Nebraska.
See a hole or gap that looks suspicious?
If you have found a possible wildlife entry point, Borland can inspect the structure, identify likely causes, and recommend the next step based on the actual conditions. LET BORLAND HANDLE YOUR WILDLIFE!