Wildlife removal from your home or business can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be when you know what steps to take and what solutions to apply. First and foremost, it’s important to understand the different types of wildlife animals that may be present in your home or business. The symptoms they display and their behavior in the area should help you determine the type of animal you’re dealing with and how best to remove it safely and humanely.

What Are The Signs of Wildlife Infestation?

Wildlife removal comes down to three basic issues: building exclusion (keeping critters out), animal removal (getting them out if they're already inside) and prevention. First off, it's important to know what signs indicate you may have an infestation. This way you can begin planning a plan of action before an infestation gets too big. These are some common signs that mean you need wildlife control help

Scratching in the walls, attic or crawlspace 

Thumping at night (especially in the attic)

Staining on the exterior of the home or building in the roof corner areas

What's this shingle doing on the ground?  Unexplained damage to the roof or siding

Seeing the animals around the home multiple times

Smells-especially from the chimney

All of these are signs that there may be a wildlife problem in the building or home 

How To Get Rid Of A Nuisance Animal

Some cities have laws against removing wild animals living in and around homes. That’s because wild animals may carry diseases and some can do damage to a home, they may even attack people. To avoid legal troubles and dangerous situations call a professional wildlife removal company like Metro Wildlife and Pest Control with experience handling nuisance animals and safely removing them from your home. When you have an animal trapped in your home it is important that you leave it there until a professional arrives to handle it. Many times people will attempt to free an animal themselves and end up becoming very close friends with their new furry guest as a result of being bitten.

Wild Animal Trapping & Control

If you do trap it on your own, be ready to deal with moving it. If you don’t know what you’re doing, get help from a professional (they usually offer free services if they are called out to remove a nuisance animal that was previously trapped by an amateur). Some wildlife refuges will come to take them as well.   

Keep in mind, that simply taking the animal down the block and releasing it will only have it back in the attic within a day.   The animal will also probably never go in your trap again as well.   The moral of the story is to take it far away. 

Finding the Right Wildlife Removal Company

When you’re looking for a wildlife removal company to deal with animals that have invaded your home, there are some common signs to look for. First and foremost, how long has it been since you’ve seen an animal? A week? A month? And did you see it once, or several times? If an animal has been trapped but not removed, will it return?

A good wildlife removal company likely ask these types of questions.   They'll also want to come out and take a look at things before providing a solution (and a price) since there are many factors that must be considered in wildlife removal.   

The size of the home, yard and surrounding wooded areas and water sources are all considerations that need to be observed in order to get a better understanding of the root cause of the problem and, most importantly, how to resolve it. 

Precautions of doing it yourself

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that they can do their own wildlife removal by trapping a critter themselves. While it’s possible to trap some small mammals on your own (with a professional trap), it is illegal to release most wildlife back into the wild without proper training. Without proper training, you may be releasing disease-ridden wildlife back into your local ecosystem where they could spread those diseases to other animals. It’s always best to hire an expert before setting out on your own.

Make sure you know the law

Before beginning any wildlife control activities, it’s important to first check your local laws. In most cities and states, wildlife is considered a public health risk. Learn More Here ’s illegal to keep wild animals without obtaining a license from your state or city. Many residential areas also have additional laws that regulate how you can manage wildlife found within its borders. These are rarely related to health concerns; instead they often reflect property values.

Ask about warranties

If you've decided to hire a professional, make sure to ask about warranties.  Some wildlife control companies offer warranties on their work. These typically last 1 to 2 years and cover damages from reentry. Make sure to ask your technician about these warranties, as well as any potential risks involved in working with wild animals. You’ll also want to be sure that your service provider has a professional liability insurance policy that covers workers on your property. Although most agencies will have one, it’s not a guarantee you can rely on.

Check reviews on the company

Reading reviews from both customers and business organizations will give you an idea if your chosen wildlife removal company is reputable. Reviews are particularly helpful when dealing with a new company that you don’t know much about. If others have had a positive experience working with them, then chances are it’s a good sign.

Make sure you're comfortable

If you plan on employing a professional wildlife removal service to remove an unwanted wild animal from your home or business, it’s critical that you feel comfortable around them. At the same time you want to be sure the wildlife control technician is comfortable around you and you're community. 

You don't have to be in love with them or anything but it's likely they'll be around the home alot and will be wanting to get feedback from you about what you're seeing and hearing.   It always helps the process if you feel comfortable with the service provider. 

Remember, it's a process and not an exact science


Remember, the pied piper is a myth.   There is no magic flute that can be played.  Wildlife professionals use industry best practices and practical experience in order to achieve results.   Every animal and home is different too.  Sometimes several visits are necessary to remove it. 

Once they're gone, stay vigilant

In many ways, a home exclusion is really only half of your battle when it comes to wildlife. It's common to see animals that have been excluded—only to return later looking for a place to stay. Once you've removed them from your home or business once, you'll need to be on high alert that they haven't returned while you've had your guard down.