FAQ

Nuisance Wildlife Control and Removal Operators

What areas do you service?

    We have many field operators around the US, and they service cities like Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Denver, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, Boston, Columbus, Philadelphia, Dallas, Austin, Seattle, and many others.

 

What happens to an animal after it’s captured?

    Most animals are relocated to a safe location. Others may have to be euthanized if they’re sick, injured, or have rabies. We try to be as humane as possible. Yet the choices we make will have to follow the laws of the state in question. But rest assured that we’ll inform you of what we think is the right thing to do.

 

Can the government animal control solve the problem?

    City and county animal services work on dealing with domestic animal problems. They are responsible for dealing with bite report cases or pet abuse. As a result, they aren’t able to deal with typical wildlife problems like raccoons in your attic. They’re also ill-equipped to solve these issues with the same level of quality as private wildlife control companies.

 

Can my pest control company solve the problem?

    It’s easy to confuse wildlife control companies with pest control companies, but these work in two very different fields. Pest control companies focus on dealing with small insects, and they will typically use poisons to solve the problem. Wildlife control companies, on the other hand, focus on removing larger animals, and they typically use traps or other manual removal techniques. This means that your pest control company either can’t solve the problem, or they will use a method that isn’t effective on wildlife.

 

Do you use poison to remove wildlife?

    While some companies do use poison, we do not. This is because poison is an ineffective solution for wildlife control, and it will cause more problems than it solves.

    For starters, poison doesn’t kill that many animals. Only the handful who eat the poisoned food will die. In most cases, the poisoned animals will die inside your home. That means that you’ll be left with a rotting corpse. Finally, poison doesn’t help solve the underlying issue of most wildlife problems. It doesn’t seal up all the entries the animal used to get inside your home. That’s why poisoning an animal will only result in another taking its place.

 

Do you remove insects?

    We do not provide insect removal services, as that falls under a pest control company’s field. Instead, wildlife control companies focus on removing wild animals, such as raccoons, opossums, bats, and many others. Bear in mind that some companies may provide both services, but you may be better off finding a company that only specializes in one.

 

What kind of traps do you use?

    Most wildlife operators will have several traps that are used in different situations. Some may use live traps while others use lethal traps. It really depends on the type of animal being removed and the laws of the state they’re in. That’s why you should ask the wildlife operator over the phone or when they inspect the problem.

 

What is your service range?

    This depends on the company in question, as well as the number of operators, vehicles, and other equipment they have available. It’s a good idea to ask this while on the phone, as the trapper will be able to provide you with the full details.

 

How experienced are you?

    While a business’s experience can be a good measure of their quality, it can sometimes be misleading. An old company with lots of experience may stick to outdated and ineffective methods, making them do a poor job. Similarly, a new operator or company might follow the latest techniques and have the best equipment, helping them solve any problem in a jiffy. That’s why it’s best to base an operator’s quality on how they handle the problem, as well as seeing how well they implement a solution.

 

Are you officially licensed?

    Yes, all trappers and operators should be licensed. Getting a license is actually mandatory in some states. These licenses are usually provided by a state’s Fish and Wildlife Commission. All operators will be willing and able to provide a license at your request.

 

Do you have insurance?

    Yes, most good wildlife control companies have all the necessary insurance. This helps protect the operators as they perform their dangerous tasks. They also help protect your home against any accidents that might occur while your home is repaired or worked on.

 

Do you have worker’s compensation?

    Yes, worker’s compensation is another form of insurance and is used by many wildlife control companies. Whether this applies to your operator depends on the state they live in and their employment status – full-time employee or contract work. This helps protect the employee in case there’s an injury while on the job.

 

How do you decide on your prices?

    Wildlife control doesn’t have a standard price, because every situation is different. The work might sometimes involve a single animal, while there may be a few hundred rodents to remove in other cases. As a result, the prices scale with the difficulty and demand of the situation.

    Wildlife control companies also have a lot of overhead costs, such as licenses, insurance, and different equipment. There’s also a lot of personal risk involved, like approaching a venomous snake or risking rabies.

    That’s why you should call us to discuss the problem you’re facing, and only then can we provide you with a fair estimation of our prices.

 

How do you accept payment?

    Different companies will accept payment in different forms, so you should contact them about it. That said, most companies accept the normal forms of payment, like cash, checks, and major credit cards.

 

Do you take care of orphaned animals?

    Unfortunately, this does not fall under our services. Wildlife control companies are there to remove nuisance wildlife. We are unable to take in these animals or care for them.

    If you’re interested in helping these poor animals, you should either take care of them yourself or call a wildlife rehabilitator or shelter.

 

What should I do about injured birds I find?

    Wildlife control companies aren’t able to take care of any injured birds or other animals. You should try to take care of the animal yourself or contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

 

Do you take care of dead animals?

    Most wildlife control companies provide dead animal removal services. You can call a professional wildlife control operator if you find a carcass inside your home or office. They will be able to safely remove the animal and ensure the area is properly sanitized.

 

Do you solve cat or dog issues?

    No, we do not. Domestic animal issues are not handled by any wildlife control company. These fall under the jurisdiction of your local county’s animal services. You should be able to find more details about them online or in the blue pages of your phonebook.

 

What animals do you deal with?

    Wildlife control companies work with various wild animals. These can range from small rodents to large raccoons. Some of the most common animals we deal with are squirrels, mice, rats, opossums, raccoons, snakes, bats, armadillos, moles, and even pigeons. You are advised to call your local wildlife operator to confirm what animals they can handle.

 

Are there animals you don’t deal with?

    We do not deal with dogs, cats, or other domestic animals. Depending on the state, some animals may also be outside of our jurisdiction. It’s recommended that you call us if you’re concerned about a particular animal.

 

Have you ever gotten bitten on the job?

    Yes. While wildlife removal professionals are trained and experience in avoiding animal bites, it does eventually happen if an operator has worked in the field for long enough.

 

What are the strangest animals that you’ve caught?

    Each operator has a different story, depending on how long they’ve been in the field and what sort of jobs they take. Most operators, however, usually deal with the same handful of cases over and over again. These are the common problems people face, like raccoons in the attic.

    Some strange animals that we’ve caught are bobcats, alligators, and large snakes.

 

Do all wild animals have rabies?

    Rabies is a disease that’s exclusive to mammals. While all mammals can have rabies, there are very few animals who regularly carry this disease. The most common sources of rabies are dogs, raccoons, skunks, and bats. With bats being the most common source of rabies in the US.

    You can tell if an animal has rabies if it’s foaming in the mouth, walking in circles, stumbling, or acting aggressively. If it doesn’t have these symptoms, it probably doesn’t have rabies. Yet rabies is a deadly disease, so it’s best to keep your distance even if the animal doesn’t show any symptoms.

 

Do animals pose any health risks?

    Yes, wild animals carry many diseases that we can contract. These include rabies, salmonella, histoplasmosis, Murine Typhus, and Rat Bite Fever just to name a few. You should always be cautious when dealing with wild animals. That’s why you should try to wear gloves when handling these animals and should wash your hands after touching them.