Guide to Wildlife in St. Louis Suburbs

Over the past decade, St. Louis has experienced a resurgence because of a revitalized urban core, burgeoning entrepreneurial ventures, and lots of new cultural, recreational, and entertainment options easily accessible to suburban dwellers. And, to keep enthusiasm for the region's renaissance growing, the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation acts as the area's cheerleader in spreading neighborhood news and events to keep the suburban and urban quality of life high.

Located along the Mississippi River and with more than two dozen national and state parks and green spaces, St. Louis is home to a variety of wildlife. The most prevalent nuisance wildlife in St. Louis are raccoons and squirrels, but homeowners also typically deal with moles, groundhogs, bats, birds, skunks, and opossums. The most common nuisance birds are pigeons and woodpeckers. Coyotes and foxes are present, but they are rarely a problem.

For animal trapping and removal, and repair of animal damage, contact Critter Control. Their certified specialists are the most degreed wildlife specialists in the industry, who provide assistance in the following St. Louis neighborhoods.

Clayton

Clayton is the #1 Best Place to Live in the St. Louis Area according to ​Niche. It is comprised of a mix of architectural styles that range from high rises and townhouses to Tudor homes, modern mansions, and renovated farmhouses. With top schools, lots of community parks, the St. Louis Zoo, and plenty of restaurants, Clayton's population is predominately young professionals.

The wildlife that most frequently bothers residents and businesses include birds on apartment buildings, rats in restaurants, and a plethora of squirrels. A stone's throw from downtown St. Louis, these nuisance animals are attracted to Clayton because it offers them some natural habitat in terms of having more trees and grassy areas than downtown.

In addition, the restaurants and residences provide rodents and squirrels with the food, water, and shelter they require. Birds become attracted to high-rises because the roof, soffits, and other architectural elements protect them from weather, and the height protects them from predators.

Olivette

Olivette is a family neighborhood where most residents own their homes and the streets are lined with mature trees. Also close to downtown, Olivette offers residents lots of family-friendly activities like parks and playgrounds. Stacy Park is a 35-acre stretch of land with winding walking paths around a reservoir, a prairie garden, a playground, an outdoor BBQ area, multi-purpose sports fields, and a basketball court.

Many people in Olivette, even though they may not mean to, provide food, water, and cover that can turn their backyard and attics into a home for wildlife. Backyard gardens, lots of trees, unsecured trash cans, and outdoor pet food and water make it easier for animals such as raccoons to settle down in the neighborhood.

Missouri is home to 14 species of bats, and all of them are protected. Mostly beneficial creatures, they do become a nuisance when roosting in a home's attic, chimney, or behind shutters. Unfortunately, they settle in neighborhoods like Olivette because humans are slowly encroaching on their natural habitats. Nevertheless, they are a threat to the health of families.

Other wildlife of note in Olivette are bees and coyotes. Most people will hear a coyote call and never actually see the coyote. They're around because they follow small prey such as raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels into the area.

Ladue

privacy, yet close to downtown St. Louis and all the city has to offer.

Forbes lists Ladue as one of the top places in the nation to retire rich, yet even this suburb has its share of nuisance wildlife. Moles are attracted to the lush lawns of residents and the many golf courses located in the town. As burrowing insect eaters, moles dig tunnels to locate grubs and worms, leaving behind tunnels and mounds that detach roots from plants, thus killing the lawn, shrubs, and garden plantings.

Birds, including woodpeckers, can be both an enjoyment and a nuisance on one's property. Beautiful to behold and to listen to, woodpeckers are indiscriminate peckers who will just as soon peck at your house as the oak tree next to it. They peck looking for food, but also when establishing territory and finding a mate.

Brentwood

Brentwood is considered an 'inner ring' St. Louis community, meaning it is close to the downtown area. It is a growing community that accommodates both residential charm and a thriving business district.Residents live in multiple types of housing that range from apartments, condos, and townhomes to single-family residences. Brentwood's vibrant business district contains everything from one-person shops to mega-stores like Target and Whole Foods. Within its small borders, there is also a state-of-the-art recreation complex, premium lodging, and many dining options.

Like most suburban neighborhoods, nuisance wildlife such as raccoons, rodents, squirrels, and bats abound. Bats like the brick houses of Brentwood as there are gaps where the brick meets the roof that enable them to squeeze through.

Raccoons and rodents such as rats and squirrels are attracted to homes and businesses as they provide shelter from the cold and snowy St. Louis winters. And, living in tandem with people also gives these animals easy access to food and water.

Webster Groves

Webster Groves fits an 'All American' vibe. It's a growing suburb with a mix of new and historic homes with manicured lawns along tree-lined roads. More than 300 homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And in 2021, The National Council for Home Safety and Security named the suburb as the safest city in all of Missouri.

Webster Groves is well known for its abundance of cultural offerings as the home of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the Community Music School. There are also many restaurants and boutiques in a friendly, walkable atmosphere.

The safety of Webster Groves' streets doesn't mean the suburb doesn't experience home invasions of the wildlife kind. Whether a newly built home or one that is centuries old, wildlife has a way of finding its way inside, where it can create costly damage and potential health issues. In addition, those manicured lawns are perfect for moles to tunnel in and forage for food.

Richmond Heights

Ranked by Niche as the #2 Best Suburb for Young Professionals in Missouri, Richmond Heights has a dense suburban feel with a mix of both new construction and historic homes. Bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks add to the appeal of this suburb. Reviews discuss how everyone is out walking, riding, and having a good time outside.

Nuisance wildlife is mainly comprised of squirrels that love the tree-lined streets of this town. But, as the weather turns cold, squirrels view attics as their favorite winter residence. Unfortunately, those cute squirrels wreak havoc in a home, tearing and soiling insulation and gnawing on wires and wood.

Bats also like to winter over in Richmond Heights attics and raise their young there in spring and summer. Bats can soil insulation and their surrounding area with guano and urine, which can become a health risk.

Kirkwood

Kirkwood was the first planned suburb west of the Mississippi River and has grown into a family community with kid-friendly amenities, including parks, The Magic House St. Louis Children's Museum, and many annual festivals, including Halloween and Holiday Walks and the Route 66 Cars and Guitars Festival, among others.

This suburb's rich history can be seen in The Frank Lloyd Wright House, the train station built in 1893, and the many Tudor, Victorian, and Craftsmen homes that line its streets. Nuisance animals like raccoons and squirrels love these historical buildings as they display their wear and tear in the form of small gaps and entry holes in which these creatures can squeeze in and live their best life. Both raccoons and squirrels can create serious and costly damage to homes when left unchecked.

Town and Country

Town and Country, while right outside of St. Louis, is very country-like. Comprised of larger homes and some gated communities, it has the highest median household income of any city in Missouri and one of the highest median incomes of any city in the United States. Homes in Town and Country have large manicured lawns and beautiful mature landscaping.

Moles are attracted to well-kept lawns as they are usually aerated and watered-- great conditions for the worms and grubs they love to eat. Aerated lawns are usually easier for moles to tunnel through.

Raccoons and squirrels are also attracted to the many trees and shrubs that provide a source of food and protection from prey. Both are agile creatures who climb and jump easily. They look to get into attics as a safe, warm, and dry spot to raise their young.

Chesterfield

Chesterfield is west of St. Louis and is one of the larger suburbs of the city, with a population just under 50,000. It has a dense suburban feel with lots of restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and parks. It has an older population with numerous retirees.

Chesterfield has been called the 'City of Volunteers' as many of its citizens have a history of involvement in helping the city.

Because Chesterfield is located next to the Missouri River, portions of it are within the floodplain of the river known as Chesterfield Valley. This area has several small creeks that converge into the Missouri. This is the type of environment attractive to many types of wildlife, but Chesterfield Valley is also undergoing a major transformation of the Chesterfield Mall.

It has been reported that the redevelopment will bring about 1,000 new students into area schools and this influx of population could cause wildlife locked out of their natural habitat to seek refuge amongst residential and business neighborhoods. Raccoons, squirrels, rats, and birds are examples of wildlife that will encroach upon houses and businesses for their needs. Since there have been increases in coyote sightings, these small animals have even more reason to seek safety and shelter in houses, away from the coyote predators.

Ellisville

Ellisville is west of the downtown St. Louis area and has a more rural feel. The city has over 200,000 acres of parkland comprising 11 developed parks in both residential and business neighborhoods that are connected through multi-use trails. Because of these parks, Ellisville has been awarded the National Arbor Day Foundation's designation as a 'Tree City USA' for 42 consecutive years.

The abundance of parklands provides oodles of natural habitat for wildlife to live separately from residents living in housing that ranges from apartments and townhouses to duplexes and single-family homes. The city also has a well-balanced mix of residential and commercial development.

Squirrels, moles, and chipmunks are the nuisance animals most people have to contend with in Ellisville. The concern with moles and chipmunks arise from how badly they can damage lawns with their tunneling. These intricate tunnels make it difficult to locate and rid yards of these pests. Squirrels tend to enter attics, especially when temperatures drop in winter in order to take advantage of a dry, warm space for them to raise their young. Unfortunately, squirrels create costly damage as they tear insulation to build their nests and gnaw on wood and wires.

Critter Control in St. Louis Neighborhoods

If you discover unwanted wildlife on your property or notice animal damage to your home, Critter Control can get animals out and keep them out with effective, humane methods. Their animal exclusion services will seal entry points to protect and restore your property, and their work is guaranteed.