Who to Call for Wildlife Removal and How to Prevent Critters From Coming Back

You should call a wildlife removal specialist or animal control to remove a wild animal from your home

It’s a lovely day. You just woke up, pet the squirrel, grabbed a cup of coffee, and fed the dog. Until the first sip of coffee hits, and you realize you don’t have a pet squirrel, and you suddenly see a lot of damage has been done to your furniture. Who do you call when there’s a wild animal wreaking havoc in your home? Ideally, you’ll want to call a wildlife removal company or animal control to handle the problem.

Benefits of Hiring Wildlife Removal Specialists

Realistically, it comes down to the type of animal in your home. For anything other than cats and dogs—like birds, raccoons, squirrels, bats, and skunks—you’ll want to call in a wildlife removal company. 

Relocation

Wildlife removal focuses on catching the wild animal and often includes a check to see if it’s healthy enough to release into the wild. Wildlife specialists will capture and remove the animal from your home without causing it harm or additional stress.

Because wildlife removal is often a for-profit business, it typically has a larger budget than most government-run animal control agencies, giving them tools that some animal control agencies might not have. They’re also often required to work with local government agencies to ensure the wild animal is safe from harm. The cost of animal removal runs anywhere from $150 to $600 and depends on the size and type of animal.

Clean-Up and Repairs

A wildlife removal company may also charge to help handle any odors or messes (like nests) that may be left behind in your home. They’ll identify what made your home so appealing to the animal in the first place (e.g., an open chimney or hole in the siding), making it easier to get repairs started after the critter has been removed. 

Can I Remove Wild Animals Myself?

All jokes about petting squirrels aside, wild animals can pose a risk to you and any domestic animals you have in the home because they often carry diseases or parasites (not to mention fleas). 

If a critter has found its way inside, it’s best to relocate for the time being or find a way to separate it from the rest of the home. Once the animal is somewhat contained or cordoned off, you should immediately call a wildlife removal service or animal control.

Don’t agitate the animal if it’s outside your home and holed up underneath your deck or in a toolshed. Instead, leave it be and do your best to avoid the area while making the necessary calls.

Can I Hire Animal Control for Wild Animals?

Hiring animal control for animal removal may work, but most of these services focus on domestic cats and dogs. However, because these agencies are often government-run, you likely won’t need to pay anything for animal removal and relocation. When calling to request service, it’s best to ask for any need-to-know information, such as potential costs and if the type of animal is in their scope of work.

How Do Wildlife Removal Companies Remove Wild Animals?

To remove a wild animal, specialists will first find out where they’re hiding and decide whether the animal poses a risk or not. Often enough, these animals are simply looking for shelter and won’t attack you or anyone else unless provoked.

From there, depending on the type of animal, the wildlife removal company will set up the necessary traps to catch them. In some instances, this will not be an option, and different measures will be required.

How to Prevent Wild Animals From Coming Back

Preventing pesky critters from returning to your property involves a combination of strategies to make your yard less attractive and accessible to them.

Remove Food Sources

Food is the primary reason wildlife comes into yards. So ensure that your garbage cans have secure, tight-fitting lids. It's an easy task that prevents scavenging animals like raccoons and bears from sniffing out and accessing snacks. Even better, invest in animal-resistant trash containers. Also, keep pet kibble indoors, another potential food source for wildlife. Lastly, resist the urge to feed wildlife; otherwise, they will return for their next meal. 

Seal Entry Points

Openings and gaps that lead into your home are like private entrances for wildlife. Inspect your home for these unintentional access points to your attic, crawl spaces, or basement. Afterward, seal these openings with hardware cloth, mesh, or metal flashing. To further fortify things, consider installing a chimney cap and equip your windows and doors with tight-fitting screens.

Remove Water Sources

Leaking pipes and faucets attract animals looking for a water source. Fixing these fixtures will eliminate the problem. Additionally, cover or drain water features such as ponds or birdbaths, which are also magnets for animals looking for a cool drink.

Install Fencing

Adding sturdy and tall fencing around your property will help to keep larger animals like deer, rabbits, or coyotes out. Remember: Some animals are diggers. Adding wire mesh under the fence will keep animals from burrowing beneath it. Fence costs vary greatly based on labor and the materials used.

Scare Tactics

Use motion-activated lights, sprinklers, or noise devices to deter animals. In many instances, tactics like these are more effective than using homemade or commercial repellants, which wear off quickly and are not weather-resistant.

Maintain Landscaping

Some animals love hiding in trees and shrubs. Trim tree branches away from your home to prevent easy access for animals to roofs and attics. It's also wise to keep your yard well-maintained to eliminate overgrown vegetation.

Signs You Have a Wild Animal Problem 

Recognizing the signs of a wildlife problem on your property is your best defense for timely intervention. 

Unusual Noises

Scratching, scurrying, and thumping sounds, especially at night, can indicate the presence of animals in your attic, walls, or crawl spaces.

Droppings

Animal poop around your property, including in or near your home, is a clear indication of an animal infestation. The one upside to finding feces is that its size and shape can help identify the species.

Chewed Items

Inspect your home for wire, insulation, sheetrock, and wood damage. Small creatures like rodents like to gnaw at these types of things.

Disturbed Trash

Ransacked trash cans indicate that raccoons, bears, or other scavengers have scoured your bins in search of food, leaving a mess behind.

Garden Damage

If your garden or landscaping exhibits signs of digging, upturned soil, or eaten plants, it may be due to wildlife activity from raccoons, deer, or rabbits.

Holes and Burrows

Burrows or holes in your yard, under decks, or along the foundation can be a sign of ground-dwelling animals like skunks, groundhogs, or foxes.

Unusual Pet Behavior

If your pets are agitated, barking, or showing excessive interest in a particular area of your home or yard, it could signal the presence of wildlife.

Nesting Materials

Discovering nests or nesting materials in or around your property, such as in chimneys, vents, or attic spaces, may suggest a bird or rodent infestation.

Foul Odors

Stinky or musky odors emanating from specific areas in your home may result from dead animals or animal waste.

Matt Marandola contributed to this piece.