Rodent Removal

This depends first and foremost on the state laws regarding wildlife possession and transport for wildlife control trappers. We will obey the law first. The fate of the animal may have to do with the species. Certain rabies vectors in certain states must be euthanized (killed) by law. Some protected animals can't be harassed at all. We aim to do the humane thing. If the animal is healthy and it's legal to relocate it, that's the option we usually prefer. If the animal is injured or sick, it's sometimes best to humanely euthanize it. Overall, we aim to keep the customer informed about the right thing to do.

Can't the city or county take care of the problem for free?

No. Government animal control, such as city or county animal services, only deal with domestic animals - dogs and cats. This includes things like bite reports, pet abuse complaints, barking or dangerous dogs, etc. It's true that certain government services used to help with select wildlife cases, but they did NOT perform true professional wildlife control. For example, if you had a raccoon in your attic, the county might lend you a cage trap to put on the ground, then pick up the raccoon and trap once it's caught. They wouldn't inspect the attic, they wouldn't tell you about the ducts that were torn open, they wouldn't remove the litter of baby raccoons by hand, they wouldn't set a professional type trap on the roof near the entry hole, they wouldn't seal the hole shut after the raccoons were removed, they wouldn't identify vulnerable areas on the roof and do preventative sealing, they wouldn't clean the raccoon waste, etc. Wildlife control is a complex and specialized field requiring a lot of work and dedication. Even if the county animal services were willing to help with wildlife issues, they wouldn't do close to a complete job. Regardless, the city/county won't help, and wildlife control is now in the hands of the private pest control sector, and thus service has drastically improved!

Can't my regular pest control company take care of this?

Almost certainly not - pest control companies typically treat for insects, and use poison control methods to do so. They usually spray poison on the yard or house, and charge for monthly or quarterly maintenance. They use the same methods - poisons - when they try to control mice & rats (this is a LOUSY AND INEFFECTIVE approach) and even have been known to illegally try to use poisons on other animals, such as bats. Wildlife control, of large animals like squirrels or raccoons is entirely different than insect pest control and should be dealt with only by a professional nuisance wildlife trapper who has extensive experience dealing with wild animals. You can't just use some magic spray or device to get rid of a large vertebrate - it involves hands-on removal of animals, not a simple spray solution. If you do call your regular exterminator to take care of a wildlife issue, beware - they may recommend a crummy company who gives them a cash kickback. Do your own research when hiring a wildlife professional.

Do you use poisons?

NO. Poison is NOT a solution for a wildlife problem. Poisons work for insects, because they are so small and special poisons have been developed that can wipe out colonies of insects. There are no registered or effective poisons for wildlife control, except for mice & rats. However, using poison for mice & rats is a stupid and totally ineffective way to treat a rodent problem. Here's the deal: you have rats or mice in your home? They are coming from outside, where there's hundreds of them. The ones in the attic are territorial, keeping others out. So then you use poison, and some of them die. Guess what - new ones just move right in. Poison never solves the problem. It doesn't even kill all the rats or mice in the house - only the ones who find the poison and choose to eat it and who die from it - the percentage is actually not very good. And what happens when the rat or mouse dies? That's right, it might die when it's outside, but there's a very good chance that it'll die when it's inside your house, and then you've got a stinking dead rats smelling up your house. Poison is dumb. Poison does not work. The proper way to do it is to find those entry holes that the rats are using to get in the house, sealing them shut with steel, and physically trapping and removing all of the rats - problem solved.

Do you take care of termites or other insects?

No. Although some companies have both a pest control branch and a wildlife removal branch, the two fields are very different. Typically, a wildlife control operator does not handle insect problems. However, some WCO's do specialize in beehive removal. If you need termite control or any other form of insect control and your wildlife operator does not provide such a service, look in your local yellow pages under the "pest control" category.

What types of traps do you use?

Most wildlife operators have dozens of different types of traps, each for different types of animals, architectures, and situations. First of all, any competent trapper will make sure that the traps used are legal in that state. Second, the trapper will use the most effective trap for the situation at hand. If it's a question of which trap is most humane, ask the wildlife operator about the type of trap. Be aware that sometimes a lethal type of trap is a more realistic option than a live-capture cage trap. I personally use live-capture cage traps almost exclusively, but the type of trap may vary depending on the state or the technique used by the trapper.

What is your service range?

This is a good question to ask the trapper on the phone. Sometimes a customer and a business will spend a long time discussing the wildlife problem, only to realize later that the customer house is too far away to feasibly provide service to. The range of each company varies, depending on time and availability, number of trucks, etc.

How long have you been in business?

This is another good question to ask. Experience does count in wildlife control. However, sometimes an old-timer who has 20 years of experience will stubbornly stick to antiquated and less effective techniques, whereas someone with 2 years of experience may have learned all of the latest, most advanced techniques and uses the most modern equipment. Although experience does matter, I think the best way to know a good trapper is in the way they demonstrate their knowledge of the problem, and their willingness to offer a guarantee on their work.

Are you licensed?

Any wildlife control operator should have a special nuisance trapper's license issued by the state fish & wildlife commission. They should also possess all relevant city and county occupational licenses, and be willing to display them on request.

Are you insured?

Any good wildlife control company should carry all relevant insurance, including general liability insurance. This protects you, the customer, in the event of an accident. Wildlife operators work in attics, on roofs, etc, and if an accident should happen, it's important that it's covered by insurance.

Do you carry workers comp?

Worker's comp is another type of insurance that may or may not apply to your wildlife operator depending on the state in which he does business, whether he has or is an employee, etc. Worker's compensation is meant to protect an employee in the event of injury on the job, and doesn't have any bearing on you, the customer. However, many commercial accounts require that contractors of any type are in full compliance of local workers' comp laws.

Why do you charge the prices you do?

Each company charges different rates, just like any business in the world. There's no standard rates. Furthermore, wildlife control situations vary wildly. There's no one-price-fits-all scenario. Trapping an opossum under the deck is a heck of a lot easier than removing 2000 bats from the steeple of an old church. Please be aware that nuisance wildlife control is a specialty field, and the professional companies have a lot of overhead costs - from licensing and insurance to supplies and equipment, to the risk we all undertake - of climbing on tough roofs, exposure to rabies, etc. Nuisance wildlife control is not any cheaper than plumbing or electrical work or any other skilled field. You should be able to describe your problem to your wildlife operator over the phone and get a fair idea of the approximate cost. You can also read about Free Wildlife Removal - Where Can I Get It? but the truth is that if you need any kind of skilled work done, your only reasonable option is to hire a professional.

What forms of payment do you accept?

It depends on the company, so ask, but most will accept cash, check, and major credit cards - Visa, Mastercard, American Express, & Discover.

Do you pick up orphaned animals?

This isn't typically what wildlife operators do. We solve problems with nuisance wildlife. We don't rescue and rehabilitate lost or injured baby animals. If you find a stranded opossum or squirrel or something, please be aware that this is nature's way. Wild mothers have litters of several young for a reason - most aren't meant to survive. The animal that you find abandoned is there for a reason. If you try to save it, you might be causing an imbalance to the natural order - this isn't a vague euphemism - it's an important fact for people to realize. Natural habitat can only support so many animals! Nature balances itself out. If you feel you absolutely must do something for the poor helpless little critter, try to find a local wildlife rehabber.

What if I find an injured or baby bird?

The same principles apply. You're probably best just letting nature do its thing. Millions of birds die each day. Just because you happened to spot one, it doesn't mean you have to interfere. However, if you can't resist playing nurse to mother nature, try to find a local wildlife rehabber. They might be listed in the phone book, or maybe an online search could find one. Please don't bother a hardworking wildlife operator with questions about an injured bird.

Do you pick up dead animals?

The private wildlife control companies listed on this website do not provide free carcass removal from streets or public areas. The city or county animal services will often take care of the problem. However, if you've got a dead animal on your property or in your house, you do need to call a wildlife control professional if you want it removed and properly disposed of.

Will you help out with dog or cat issues?

No. An unfortunate by-product of dealing with wild animals is that confused or lazy people call us with their dog or cat complaints. If I had a nickel for each time I got a call at 3:00 AM from an ignorant slob who is complaining about the neighbor's barking dog, I'd have over $100.00 by now. Please, please do not call a wildlife control company to complain about dogs or cats. Call the county animal services. That's what they're there for. The reason you called a wildlife company instead of the government service is because you were too lazy to look for the county animal services, or too ignorant to know that government listings are in the BLUE PAGES of the phone book, and the YELLOW PAGES are strictly business listings. The white is residential, to round out your education. I wouldn't be so grumpy if I hadn't received well over 1000 interrupting phone calls (often while I'm sleeping or working in an attic) about dogs.

Which animals do you handle?

WILDLIFE! Nuisance wildlife in particular. Any wild animal that is causing a conflict with a person. This most commonly means squirrels, rats, mice, raccoons, opossums, pigeons, bats, snakes, moles, etc. If in doubt, call your local wildlife operator. We love the challenge of interesting wildlife!

Which animals don't you handle?

Dogs, of course. We also don't handle any animal protected by the state or other legislation. If in doubt, give us a call.

Have you ever been bitten by an animal?

With enough time and enough animals, most wildlife operators will receive a bite from time to time. However, anyone who is competent and professional should not get get bitten, especially a serious bite, such as envenomation from a venomous snake.

What is the strangest thing you've ever caught?

Everyone has their own stories to tell, but be aware that most wildlife operators deal with the same sort of scenarios over and over again: squirrels in the attic, bats in the belfry, woodchuck under the shed, etc. Sometimes the job is not as exciting as it seems, in terms of variety of wildlife. However, there's usually a few standout cases. I personally have dealt with bobcats, gators, and some really large snakes, such as a 7' Diamondback Rattler and an 11' Burmese Python.

Do all wild animals carry rabies?

Any mammal can potentially carry rabies. However, there's only a few animals that seem to be relevant rabies vectors. Most rabies transmission in North America is from bats. Worldwide, it's dogs. People in the US get all worked up over raccoons, but transmission to humans is extremely rare. If you see a raccoon active during daylight hours and it's moving about normally, it's healthy: many raccoons are active in the day. However, if the animal is clearly sick: walking in circles, stumbling, foaming, etc. then it may have rabies. Same goes for fox, skunk, and a few other animals. Please be aware that rabies is a terrible and fatal disease - it's not something that animals carry around casually. If an animal is rabid and in the contagious state, it's close to death - foaming, stumbling, delirious. An animal that is behaving normally probably does not have rabies.

What health risks do animals pose?

Wild animals can carry several diseases that humans can contract, either through direct contact or contact of droppings. The most famous is rabies, but others include Rat Bite Fever, Murine Typhus, histoplasmosis, roundworm, Salmonellosis (bacterial food poisoning), Leptospirosis (Weils Disease), Trichinosis, Rickettsial Disease, Melioidosid, Pasteurellosis, and Brucellosis, possibly among others. Overall, I think risk of contracting these diseases from wildlife is rare, but I've heard of colleagues who have gotten seriously ill, and I always take precautions.

What do you do with the animals once they are captured?

This is a very common question. First of all, we will obey the law. There are two basic choices: relocation or euthanization. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Many customers show genuine concern for the animal's welfare, and we respect that. We care about wild animals as well. We also understand ecology better than the average person, and we know that the matter is a little more complicated than people realize. If we feel that we can relocate an animal, and that it stands a good chance of survival, then we will do it, at one of several relocation points that I have approval to use. However, people should be made aware that survival rates for relocated animals are not particularly good if the animal is unhealthy, or particularly old or young, because of competition from existing animals, and the stress of learning a new habitat. We bring very young animals to a state licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If we feel that an animal should be euthanized, we use what is widely considered amongst the most humane methods: a CO2 chamber. The animal does not struggle. It is able to breathe, but the zero oxygen content of the air causes it to become dizzy, pass out, and gently "go to sleep". We feel comfortable with this method of euthanization, and if the case calls for putting an animal down, we think that my customers should feel comfortable with this method as well.

Ultimately, we aim to inform my customers, and let them make the final decision. However, in some cases, I prefer the customer to defer to my professional opinion. For example, if a customer insists that we not harm the animal, but we strongly feel that the animal is sick and will only suffer more as a result of relocation, or worse, harm other animals, then I will explain this and euthanize it humanely.

Why do you charge the prices you do?

Nuisance Wildlife Control is a specialty business. It requires a unique set of skills and more knowledge than most people realize. It is also a field with unique risks. Nuisance wildlife control operators take care of difficult problems that few people can properly or safely handle. We are not some backwoods bucktoothed yokel trappers. We are state licensed professionals. People seem to have no problem paying the electrician or plumber for their skills, and you won't find them crawling in a hot attic to remove a litter of raccoons with an angry mother raccoon lurking nearby!

Guide: How much does wildlife removal cost? - Analysis of the wildlife control business, & prices.

Many people have the mindset that wild animal problems should be taken care of for free. This stems from the time when state and county agencies did indeed take care of wild animal problems. However, as the problem grew, they stopped providing this service, and it is now in the hands of the private sector - the nuisance wildlife trapper. We don't get state funding. No one is giving us trucks, traps, equipment, gasoline, insurance, phone service, advertising, and the myriad of other expenses necessary to run a professional operation. We must pay for these things ourselves Some people seem to understand this, and others don't.

"You mean I gotta pay for this?". Yes, you do, but please be aware that you are paying for a special service. We find that all of our customers feel that they have received a very good value, after they talk to us in person, and get their problem quickly and professionally taken care of.

Can't the city or county take care of the problem for free?

There are some potential free resources, such as the state wildlife commission, local rehabbers, or more. Read about Free animal removal resources and follow the links to your town to find local free resources if you can't pay for wildlife removal.

A long time ago, in a county far, far away, a person could call the government sponsored county animal services, complain about the raccoon eating from their cat's dinner dish, and get the problem (slowly and usually ineffectively) taken care of. Then the problem grew too large and expensive, and counties across the land decided not to help out with wild animal problems any more. City and county agencies only take care of domestic animal problems, specifically dog and cat problems. All wildlife issues fall into the hands of the private sector - the state licensed nuisance wildlife trappers.

If you have a problem with a dog or a cat (one that doesn't involve something tricky like going into an attic or under a crawl space), you can go ahead and call the county animal services.

If you have a problem with any type of wild animal, say a raccoon, opossum, armadillo, squirrel, snake, etc. then you must call a state licensed nuisance trapper.

How To Guide: Who should I hire? - What questions to ask, what to look for, who NOT to hire.

Can I solve the wildlife problem myself?

How To Guide: do it yourself! - Advice on saving money by doing wildlife removal yourself.
In some cases absolutely, if you are willing to do a little work. You can save money. In other cases, almost certainly not. With the simple prevention-type work, it's easy to do yourself. But cases involving actually handling wildlife can expose you to danger, or you might be breaking the law. More importantly, many wildlife removal cases are very complex. You are not dealing with something as simple as fixing a leaky pipe or electrical wiring. There are many wild animals, and they exhibit a wide array of behaviors in many different situations, and there are hundreds of traps and tools used in wildlife control. It took me years, and hundreds of jobs, before I became a truly competent wildlife control professional. So many do-it-yourself attempts I see make me cringe, and result in more damage for the homeowner, more expense later, and often suffering for the animals.

Do you use poisons?

NO. We do not believe in poisons. Poisons are inhumane and they often leave an animal to die in the attic or walls of your house, causing an odor problem. When a large animal eats poison intended for rats and mice, they suffer. We think that poisons are a lazy, careless, and ultimately ineffective way to deal with wild animal problems. We use a process called integrated pest management. IPM involves the combined use of trapping, excluding, and habitat modification to take care of the problem. If there are rats in your attic, we don't throw some poison at them, we inspect the entire house and seal points of entry, eliminate food access, and trap and remove all remaining rats.

Do you take care of termites or other insects?

Most companies listed here do not. Insects fall under the umbrella of pest control, which is an entirely different field than nuisance wildlife control. If you have a problem with insects, you must contact a pest control company. However, some of the companies listed here do perform insect pest control services, and in such cases, it is noted.

Do you pick up dead animals?

Yes, for a one-time service fee we will come to the property, remove the dead animal, and dispose of the carcass in an acceptable manner.

If the dead animal is lost somewhere inside the house, then that's a case which calls for an often very difficult search, and often the cutting open of drywall or other components of the home to remove the rotting carcass.

Will you help out with dog or cat issues?

No. We are a wildlife removal business The county animal services will assist with dog or cat issues for free, unless they are put at personal risk, in a situation such as a mother cat with a litter in an attic. Contact your county's animal services division.

Help! I lost my pet! Do you have it?

I'm sorry that you lost your pet, please call your local SPCA or county animal services.

Help! I found an injured bird!

This is a nuisance wildlife control company. We solve wildlife problems for a fee. We will not pick up an injured bird. You can conduct and online search for a bird rehabilitator in your area.

Help! I found a baby animal!

If you have found an orphaned or injured baby wild animal, you should bring it to a wildlife rehabber. If you want, for a one-time service fee, I will come to the property, pick up the baby orphaned animal(s) (usually raccoons, opossums, or squirrels) and bring them to a state licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If you want to do this yourself, please contact a local rehabber. Read more about do it yourself wildlife rehabilitation.

Which animals do you handle?

Almost any wildlife that a property owner deems as a nuisance. This basically involves the following animals: Raccoons, armadillos, squirrels, skunks, opossums, all species of snakes, bats, rats, mice, moles, voles, beavers, flying squirrels. dead animals, and the following birds: pigeons, muscovy ducks, blackbirds, grackles and crows. Some companies also handle Canada Geese. I will assist with feral cats in cases of unwillingness by the county, such as cats in attics or under houses. I can also help deter other animals such as deer or woodpeckers, though I cannot trap or kill them. Here is a list of some of the rarer animals that I deal with: Mice - Fox - Coyotes - Chipmunks - Voles - Deer - Flying Squirrels - Gophers - Prairie Dogs - Feral Pigs - Alligators - Iguanas - Muskrats - Nutria - Otters - Pigeons - Goose - Muscovy - Starlings - Woodpecker - Porcupines - Rabbits - Weasels - Stray Dogs - Frogs - Lizards - Bobcats.

What types of traps do you use?

I use whatever trap is most effective and appropriate for the situation that I am dealing with (as long as it is approved by the State Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission).

What locations do you service?

We are the largest wildlife removal organization in the USA, and service almost every town in the country. Check our map of the USA to find your town. Here are some of the larger cities we service: Birmingham-AL - Huntsville-AL - Phoenix - Los Angeles - Oakland CA - Sacramento - San Diego - San Francisco - San Jose - Colorado Springs - Denver - Hartford - Waterbury - Cape Coral - Clearwater - Cape Coral - Coral Springs - Fort Lauderdale - Fort Myers - Gainesville - Jacksonville FL - Melbourne - Miami - Naples - Orlando - Sarasota - Tallahassee - Tampa - West Palm Beach - Atlanta - Augusta - Columbus-GA - Chicago North - Indianapolis - Kansas City - Louisville-KY - New Orleans - Baltimore - Boston - Springfield-MA - Detroit - Greater Lansing - Minneapolis - St. Paul - Jackson-MS - Kansas City-MO - St. Louis - Trenton - Albany - Buffalo - New York City - Rochester - Suffolk County - Syracuse-NY - Charlotte - Durham - Greensboro - Raleigh - Winston Salem - Cincinnati - Cleveland-OH - Columbus-OH - Dayton - Oklahoma City - Tulsa - Portland-OR - Harrisburg - Philadelphia - Pittsburgh - Columbia-SC - Knoxville - Memphis - Nashville - Austin-TX - Dallas-TX - Fort Worth - Houston - San Antonio - Salt Lake City - Norfolk-VA - Richmond-VA - Virginia Beach - Washington DC - Seattle - Madison-WI - Milwaukee

Select Your Animal

Raccoons Raccoon Removal Advice & Information

Squirrels Squirrel Removal Advice & Information

Opossum Opossum Removal Advice & Information

Skunks Skunk Removal Advice & Information

Rats Rat Removal Advice & Information

Mice Mouse Removal Advice & Information

Moles Mole Removal Advice & Information

Groundhog Groundhog Removal Advice & Information

Armadillos Armadillo Removal Advice & Information

Beaver Beaver Removal Advice & Information

Fox Fox Removal Advice & Information

Coyotes Coyote Removal Advice & Information

Birds Bird Removal Advice & Information

Bats Bat Removal Advice & Information

Snakes Snake Removal Advice & Information

Dead Dead Animal Removal Advice & Information

Chipmunks Chipmunk Removal Advice & Information

Voles Vole Removal Advice & Information

Deer Deer Removal Advice & Information

Flying Squirrel Flying Squirrel Removal Advice & Information

Gophers Gopher Removal Advice & Information

Prairie Dog Prairie Dog Removal Advice & Information

Feral Pigs Feral Pig Removal Advice & Information

Alligators Alligator Removal Advice & Information

Iguanas Iguana Removal Advice & Information

Muskrats Muskrat Removal Advice & Information

Nutria Nutria Removal Advice & Information

Otters Otter Removal Advice & Information

Pigeons Pigeon Removal Advice & Information

Goose Goose Removal Advice & Information

Muscovy Duck Muscovy Duck Removal Advice & Information

Starlings Starling Removal Advice & Information

Woodpecker Woodpecker Removal Advice & Information

Porcupines Porcupine Removal Advice & Information

Rabbits Rabbit Removal Advice & Information

Weasels Weasel Removal Advice & Information

Stray Dogs Stray Dog Removal Advice & Information

Stray Cats Stray Cat Removal Advice & Information

OthersOther Wildlife Species Information

Click On Your Question:

What locations do you service?

What do you do with the animals once they are captured?

Can't the city or county take care of the problem for free?

Can't my regular pest control company take care of this?

Do you use poisons?

Do you take care of termites or other insects?

What types of traps do you use?

What is your service range?

How long have you been in business?

Are you licensed?

Are you insured?

Do you carry workers comp?

Why do you charge the prices you do?

What forms of payment do you accept?

Do you pick up orphaned animals?

What if I find an injured or baby bird?

Do you pick up dead animals?

Will you help out with dog or cat issues?

Which animals do you handle?

Which animals don't you handle?

Have you ever been bitten by an animal?

What is the strangest thing you've ever caught?

Do all wild animals carry rabies?

What health risks do animals pose?

What do you do with the animals once they are captured?

Why do you charge the prices you do?

Can't the city or county take care of the problem for free?

Can I solve the wildlife problem myself?

Do you use poisons?

Do you take care of termites or other insects?

Do you pick up dead animals?

Will you help out with dog or cat issues?

Help! I lost my pet! Do you have it?

Help! I found an injured bird!

Help! I found a baby animal!

Which animals do you handle?

What types of traps do you use?

What locations do you service?

Select Your Animal

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