Animal in your garage or basement: what to do right now
An animal in the garage or basement is not in your living space yet, and that is good news. Your most important step is to close the door into the house and give the animal a quiet, open path outside.
Do this now
- 1Close the door between the garage or basement and the house, and keep it closed.
- 2Move kids and pets to another part of the house.
- 3Open the garage door or a basement door or window that leads outside.
- 4Turn off the lights in that space and keep it quiet.
- 5Leave it alone overnight. Many animals leave after dark.
- 6In the morning, check for signs it left and close the door you opened.
Don't
- Don't corner the animal or try to chase it out with a broom.
- Don't handle any wild animal, even one that seems calm or hurt.
- Don't leave pet food, bird seed or garbage where it can reach.
- Don't trap or move it without checking Michigan DNR rules first.
Get help immediately if
- Someone was bitten or scratched: wash with soap and water and call a doctor and your local health department.
- A pet had contact with the animal: call your veterinarian the same day.
- The animal is stumbling, circling, unusually tame or aggressive, or will not leave: keep everyone away and get same-day help.
What it might be and how to stay safe
In Michigan, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums and chipmunks are the most common animals found in garages and basements. Most wander in through an open door, a gap under the garage door, or a broken window well, and most want out. Raccoons and skunks are mostly active at night, so an open door after dark is often all they need. See our steps for an opossum in the garage or a raccoon in the house.
Skunks need extra care. Move slowly and quietly, and give it plenty of room. A skunk usually warns before spraying by stamping its front feet, raising its tail or turning its body. If you see that, back away slowly. For a skunk living under a deck or porch, see our page on a skunk under the deck.
When to call a pro
If the animal is still there after a night with the door open, has gone into a wall or ceiling, or has young with it, a licensed wildlife control pro can remove it safely. They can also find how it got in and seal gaps around the garage door, window wells and utility lines.
Michigan wildlife rules vary by species. Licensed nuisance wildlife control operators work under Michigan DNR rules, and relocating trapped animals is restricted. If you are thinking about trapping or moving an animal yourself, check with the DNR first.
What it costs
$200 to $600per removal
Price depends on the animal, where it is hiding, whether young are present, and any sealing work. After-hours or same-day visits often cost more. These are typical ranges, not quotes.
Typical ranges, not quotes. More on wildlife and the Michigan cost guide.
Common questions
Will the animal leave the garage on its own?
Often, yes, if the garage door is left open overnight and the space is dark and quiet. Close the door into the house, remove any food, and check in the morning. If it is still there, call for help.
Is it safe to leave the garage door open at night?
For one night it is usually the simplest way to let the animal leave. Move valuables, food and trash out of reach, and keep the door into the house closed and locked.
How do I know if the animal is gone?
Sprinkle a thin line of flour across the open doorway and check for tracks leading out in the morning. Listen for noises the next night. Droppings or fresh damage mean it may still be there.
Other emergencies
- Raccoon in the house
- Noises in the attic or walls
- Bat in the house
- Squirrel in the attic
- Mouse or rat in the living area
- Bird in the house or a vent
- Animal in the chimney
- Skunk under the deck
- Groundhog under the deck or shed
- Opossum in the garage or basement
- Snake in the house
- Wasp nest near the door
- Bees swarming or in a wall
- Dead animal smell