5 Questions to Ask About Pest Control for Small Animals, Birds, and Bats

Answering important animal control questions can help differentiate between what may seem like a small nuisance and a problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Whether you’re dealing with an infestation in your attic or the stench of a skunk underneath your deck, prepare to answer these questions when hiring a pest control pro to tackle the problem.

When do you need animal control work done? 

One of the most important questions a local pest control professional will have is what timeline you need. If it’s an emergency situation that requires same-day service, such as a raccoon in your attic wreaking havoc on your insulation, you will likely pay more to have the animal removed. However, if it’s routine service to prevent small critters from entering your space, the average cost for pest control falls at about $170. Immediate animal removal, on the other hand, ranges from $200 to $600. 

What type of small animals are you dealing with?

Capturing and removing a small mouse may require a completely different set of tools and skills than getting rid of a feisty possum. Different animals present different behaviors that will give animal control specialists the insight they need to properly catch and remove the animal without harming it or causing additional problems. 

Once the expert knows what type of animal they’re dealing with, they can also give you pointers on how to prevent animals from entering your home and suggest specific changes you can make to seal any openings.  

What pest control problems do you have?

The severity of your animal control needs will help determine what course of action pest or animal control specialists take to get rid of the creature. For example, a rodent infestation will be treated differently than a single skunk burrowed under your front porch. And, although squirrels or raccoons may seem relatively harmless, they can chew on wires and cause structural damage to your home if not removed in a timely manner. The more specific you are with the details of your problem, the better animal control professionals will be able to treat it. 

Where are the pests located?

Whether it’s a bat in your basement or a rat in your garage, the location of the small animal in your house helps animal control specialists figure out how to trap them and locate any entry points or nests that may be in surrounding areas. This way, once the animal or animals are removed, you can seal off entry points and put deterrents in place to prevent new creatures from coming around. 

Is this a bird or bat problem? 

Birds and bats can sometimes be protected by law because of their ecological importance, so animal and pest control professionals have to approach them in the most humane way possible. For birds, an expert will look at their nesting area to try and identify their species. Then, they may try to remove and relocate them in compliance with wildlife laws. For bats, the pros will often install one-way exclusion devices to allow bats to exit but not re-enter the home.