FAQ - Wildlife Removal Frequently Asked Questions

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 take care of termites or other insects?

Will you help out with dog or cat issues?

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

Help! I found an injured bird!

What types of traps do you use?

What locations do you service?

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).