Wildlife removal companies

About wildlife removal

Scratching in the ceiling at night, a bent vent cover or a smell you can't place often means an animal has moved in. Raccoons, squirrels, bats, opossums and skunks look for dry, sheltered spots in attics, chimneys, crawl spaces and under porches. This guide covers the warning signs and how to choose a company that keeps animals out.

Signs an animal is living in your attic or crawl space

• Scratching, thumping or chewing in the ceiling or walls. Noise in the early morning and evening often points to squirrels. Heavier movement late at night often points to raccoons.
• Droppings, a strong odor, or insulation that's flattened or torn.
• Chewed or bent vent covers, soffits, roof edges or siding.
• Small dark droppings piled below a gap at the roofline, or bats leaving the house at dusk.
• Holes dug along the foundation or under a porch.

Make your home less inviting without trapping

• Use trash cans with tight lids and bring pet food indoors at night.
• Pick up fallen fruit and spilled bird seed.
• Trim tree branches that hang over the roof.
• Ask about a chimney cap and sturdy screens over attic and foundation vents.
• Note gaps along the roofline, foundation and porch.

Don't seal a hole an animal is using. You could trap it or its young inside. Don't try to catch or handle wild animals yourself. They can bite, and some carry rabies. If you find a bat in a room where someone was sleeping, or anyone is bitten or scratched, contact a doctor or your local health department.

What a wildlife removal visit usually involves

A technician inspects the roofline, attic, crawl space and the ground around the foundation. They identify the animal, find every entry point and check for young.

Many companies use exclusion. A one-way door over the main opening lets the animal leave but not come back, and the other gaps get sealed. Rules on trapping, moving and handling wildlife vary by state, and bats have their own rules in many places. Timing matters with bats, because young that can't fly yet can end up sealed inside.

A good company comes back to confirm the animal is gone, then closes the last opening. Some also remove droppings and replace damaged insulation.

Price depends on the animal, how many entry points need sealing, how high and hard to reach they are, whether young are present, and how much cleanup or repair the job needs. Ask for an itemized quote.

Questions to ask a wildlife removal company

1. Are you licensed for wildlife work in this state, and do you need a permit for this animal?
2. Will you inspect the whole house before giving a price?
3. Do you use humane exclusion, and what happens to the animal?
4. How will you check for young before sealing anything?
5. Is there a guarantee if an animal gets back in, and how long does it last?
6. Is cleanup included in the price?
7. What should I do before you arrive, such as clearing a path to the attic or keeping pets inside?

Compare the wildlife removal companies listed above and read their reviews before you call.