Should I call animal control or a wildlife removal company?
Animal control often focuses on public safety and domestic animals, while wildlife removal companies specialize in nuisance wildlife inspection, removal, exclusion, and repairs.
Service Guide
Wildlife Removal
Wildlife removal deals with safely identifying, removing, and excluding unwanted animals from homes and yards, then repairing damage and reducing future risks. Because wildlife and laws vary by state, a careful, humane, and compliant plan matters.
Typical rangeUS: $150 - $1,500
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What homeowners should know
Professionals may inspect for entry points, set traps or one-way doors, remove animals, sanitize, and install exclusion like sealing gaps and screening vents. Many providers note that while repellents or DIY trapping may seem simple, calling a pro is often the safest path, especially when animals are nesting or access is difficult.
Rules vary. Some states allow homeowners to remove nuisance wildlife under certain conditions, and many use licensed nuisance wildlife control operators. Relocation may be illegal in some places, so ask whether proposed methods follow state rules. Clarify which services are included: animal removal, exclusion work, cleanup, and repairs.
Before booking, ask: What species do you suspect and how will you confirm? Which methods and devices will you use and are they humane and legal? Will you seal entry points and sanitize? What warranties cover re-entry or damage? How will you handle young animals if present?
When this service is needed
Scratching, scurrying, or thumping in walls or the attic, especially at night
Unusual odors, urine stains, or visible droppings, nests, or burrows
Damaged soffits, vents, siding, or insulation, or overturned trash cans
Sightings of animals entering or exiting the home, or tracks and claw marks near gutters or decks
Repair vs replacement
Wildlife work typically includes three parts: remove the animals, exclude them from getting back in, and repair damage. Expect sealing of entry points, repairing or replacing chewed screens, vents, soffits, and roof materials, and cleaning or replacing soiled insulation where needed.
Minor gnawing or small entry gaps can often be repaired and sealed. Heavily soiled attic insulation, contaminated ductwork, or structural damage may require partial replacement. Ask for photos, a written scope of cleanup and disinfection, and itemized repair options before authorizing larger replacements.
Common problems to compare
Noises from attics and walls caused by raccoons, squirrels, or other wildlife
Health risks from droppings and urine, plus strong odors in enclosed spaces
Damage to vents, soffits, fascia, roofing, and stored items
Animals becoming trapped or dying in walls from improper DIY attempts
Recurring infestations when entry points are not sealed after removal
Questions homeowners often ask
Is it legal to trap or relocate wildlife myself?
Rules vary by state and species. Some areas allow homeowners limited removal, while relocating wildlife may be illegal. Ask your state wildlife agency or hire a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator.
What affects the price of wildlife removal?
Species, number of animals, access and location (attic, walls, crawlspace), the need for exclusion and repairs, and cleanup or sanitation all influence cost. Dead animal removal can also vary by size, location, and level of decomposition.
What should a professional service include?
Inspection and identification, a removal plan, sealing entry points, cleanup and sanitation where needed, and clear repair options. Many companies offer warranties on re-entry for sealed areas.
Are repellents enough to solve the problem?
Repellents alone rarely solve established infestations. Lasting results usually require removing the animals and sealing entry points to prevent return.