How much does animal & wildlife removal cost?
How much does animal & wildlife removal cost?
$200 – $600 average cost to remove animals
Wildlife and animal removal cost
Wildlife removal costs $200 to $600 on average. Removal of animals in the attic costs $500 to $1,500. The cost to remove an animal from a chimney is $600 to $1,500. A wildlife inspection costs $100 to $300. Dead animal removal costs $100 to $250 or more for multiple carcasses.
| Animal | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Squirrels | $300 – $600 |
| Raccoons | $200 – $300 |
| Groundhogs | $150 – $300 |
| Bats | $250 – $600 |
| Rodents | $150 – $600 |
| Possums | $250 – $350 |
| Skunks | $300 – $700 |
| Foxes | $250 – $450 |
| Moles | $300 – $400 |
| Birds | $250 – $750 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuidemembers.
Cost of wildlife removal by animal type
Squirrels
Squirrel removal costs $300 to $600 on average for trap setting and relocation, including installation of an exclusion door over one entry point. Additional exclusion doors cost $225 to $400 each. Extra fees apply for cleanup. Some squirrel types are protected species, so poison removal is typically illegal.
Hire professional intervention before the squirrel's active breeding months from March to October.
Raccoons
Average raccoon removal costs $200 to $300 per animal trapped and relocated. Nest removal costs up to $750. Laws in many states protect these disease-carrying animals, requiring professional and humane removal. Thorough home-entrance sealing is crucial as these elusive creatures infiltrate small spaces, posing risks to pets and humans.
Groundhogs
Groundhog removal costs $150 to $300 on average for methods like live traps and relocation, repellents, fumigation, and lethal traps. Multiple service visits are necessary for trap deployment and subsequent removal and relocation by a wildlife expert. Groundhogs damage fences, foundations, gardens, and homes by their tunneling.
Bats
Bat removal costs $250 to $600 on average for removing up to 5 bats or $600 to $1,500 to remove a large colony from the attic. Bats are a protected species, so the only legal removal involves sealing access points and installing a one-way window for voluntary departure.
Additional expenses include rabies testing for anyone the bats have bitten as well as bat droppings cleanup.
Rodents
Rodent removal costs $150 to $600 on average, depending on the size of the colony, removal method, and whether they are easy for exterminators to access or not. Exterminators use lethal methods to get rid of rodents since rodents aren't typically endangered species. Lethal methods cost less than relocating wildlife.
Mice extermination costs $150 to $550. Mice are a more curious species than rats, so traps work better to catch them than trapping rats.
Rat extermination costs $150 to $600. Rats are more careful around traps and breed faster than mice, which leads to bigger infestations.
Possums
Possum removal costs $250 to $350 per animal trapped and relocated. Installing a metal mesh fence at least 6" below ground helps keep them out. Their main food sources are pet food left outside and leftovers inside trash cans, so keep these things inaccessible to them to prevent future infestations.
Skunks
Skunk removal costs $300 to $700 on average to trap and relocate them with minor cleanup and sealing their entrances. Skunks hide under patios, sheds, and inside crawlspaces, so extra fees apply for disinfecting these areas after they've gone. Crawl space cleaning and repair costs $1,500 to $15,000.
Bright lights left on in their hiding places will also drive skunks away.
Foxes
Fox removal costs $250 to $450 on average to trap and relocate 1 to 2 animals, and the higher prices apply for larger foxes. Most foxes don't damage property but can attack livestock or pets on the property. Adding extra fencing and feeding pets indoors will help deter foxes.
A mother fox nesting tends to leave the area on her own after her kits are big enough to go out hunting with her.
Yard or garden mole
Removing a yard mole costs $300 to $400 on average for trapping and relocation services over several days. Ongoing mole removal service costs $70 to $80 per month with spraying pesticides to kill the grubs in the lawn that attract the moles.
These animals are hard to evict since they stay underground, so eliminating their food sources is the most effective deterrent.
Birds
Bird removal costs $250 to $750 minimum for capturing 2 to 5 birds and installing one exclusion door over their entrance into the house. Bird nest removal costs $1,000 to $2,000+ to clear them out of a vent or from inside the eaves, including one day of cleanup and sealing.
A rate of $1,200 to $1,600 per day applies for a bird infestation of more than 25 animals inside the home's attic, ducts, basement, or crawlspace. This price includes the installation of multiple exclusion doors, sealing work, cleanup, and wall repairs.
Animal control costs by location
Critter control prices vary depending on their location. Removing them from harder to access locations costs more than simply setting a trap in the yard. Wildlife creatures that nest in enclosed spaces like an attic or chimney tend to cause the most property damage.
Animal in attic removal cost
Removal of animals in an attic costs $500 to $1,500 for a small infestation or $1,500 to $3,500 for a week of trapping and attic repairs for a big infestation. Call wildlife removal professionals as soon as signs indicate an animal is in the attic because they create expensive damage the longer they stay up there.
Animals in the attic tear up insulation, break electrical lines, chew through PVC pipes, leave toxic droppings behind, and can even enter home air vents.
Cost to remove an animal from chimney
The average cost to remove an animal from a chimney is $600 to $1,500 since the job includes trapping, chimney cleaning, installing an exclusion door, and sealing openings. Get a thorough cleaning by a chimney sweep professional after the removal to prevent fire hazards from animal droppings.
Extra fees apply for:
A new chimney cap costs $200 to $850.
Chimney repair costs $200 to $700.
Rebuilding a chimney costs $1,000 to $3,500 to replace it from the roofline up.
Cost factors of wildlife removal
The cost of removing wildlife infestations varies based on several factors:
Inspection –An initial assessment by a wildlife removal specialist costs $100 to $300. This fee usually counts toward the final bill if you proceed with a removal service. Some providers offer a free inspection if you're within their service area.
Infestation size – Removing a single animal is less expensive than eliminating a full colony. Prices rise with the increased complexity and multiple visits needed for larger infestations.
Number of entry points – The more entry points the animals use to access your home, the higher the removal cost will be. Each entrance will require sealing or installing an exclusion barrier at an additional cost.
Location & accessibility – Extraction from hard-to-reach places like attics, roof vents on multi-story buildings, or second-story locations increases labor costs.
Service area – While many wildlife removal businesses offer flat rates for local jobs, services required outside their standard area or at longer travel distances have additional charges.
Removal and cleanup of dead animals – Dead animal removal costs $100 to $250, depending on the location of the carcass and the extent of the cleanup. Expect prices to rise for removing multiple dead animals or a colony.
Cleanup – Costs may include sanitization for removing nests, droppings, damaged insulation, and debris.
Method of removal – The cost will also depend on the method of removal. For instance, installing exclusion barriers is typically more expensive than a simple trap-and-release job outside your home.
Emergency service – Services rendered during weekends, holidays, and outside regular hours cost an additional $100 to $300 or double the standard minimum fees.
Wildlife damage repair
Damage repair fees vary widely since wild animals tend to chew through cables, PVC pipes, and insulation when they nest inside the home. These creatures typically destroy lawns and gardens as well while burrowing and hunting grubs.
Drywall repair costs of $200 to $750.
Electrical rewiring costs $5 to $17 per square foot.
Attic insulation replacement costs $2 to $6 per square foot.
Ductwork replacement costs is $25 to $55 per linear foot.
Siding repair costs $2 to $14 per square foot.
Drip edge replacement costs $5 to $9 per linear foot.
Soffit and fascia repair costs $9 to $34 per linear foot.
Ceiling repair costs $200 to $500.
Roof repair costs $150 to $1,000 for minor repairs.
Porch screen replacement costs $2 to $4 per square foot
Lawn regrading costs is $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot.
Lawn replacement cost $1 to $4 per square foot.
Sprinkler system repair costs $100 to $400 on average.
A landscaper charges $25 to $85 to plant a new shrub.
Fence repair costs $250 to $750 to replace posts.
Animal removal FAQs
Do I need wildlife removal?
If wildlife has infested your home, you need to remove them because:
You'll fail your home inspection and won't be able to sell your house.
Wild animals may transmit infections or parasites to your family and pets.
These animals damage various parts of your home, including utility lines, insulation, and wooden structures.
How do I save money on wildlife removal?
In order to save money on wildlife removal, you can buy or rent humane animal traps and set them with bait yourself. Then call a wildlife specialist to take the animal off your property safely. Keep wild animals away by blocking access to their food sources near your home.
However, you still need to fully seal the building and disinfect any damaged areas, which can require professional help for a severe infestation.
How long does it take to remove animals from my house?
Removing animals from your house takes a single visit to capture one creature inside living areas or 2 to 4 days to trap them. However, removing a big colony of bats or squirrels in the attic takes up to 1 month to seal all entry points and monitor exclusion devices.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildlife removal?
Typically, homeowners insurance doesn't cover the costs of wildlife removal because they view it as a preventable expense due to a lack of maintenance. However, some policies cover the costs of cleanup and repairs related to wildlife damage, but this depends on the specifics of your policy.
Is there a difference between wildlife removal and animal control?
The differences between wildlife removal and animal control services are:
| Wildlife removal specialists | Animal control department workers |
|---|---|
|
|
For infestations of small rodents like mice and rats as well as insects, call the pest control company for pesticide applications.
Who do you call for wildlife removal?
When you need to remove wildlife, you can call:
Pest control professionals
Wildlife removal services
Environmental consultants
Local forestry or nature conservation department
Some animal species have federal protection due to their endangered status, so you can't call an exterminator to kill all types of wildlife. Check your state laws first.
Getting estimates for wildlife removal
Before calling an animal control service or wildlife removal service near you, be sure to:
Obtain quotes from at least 3 professionals with 5+ years of experience.
Research the reputation of the businesses on Google and here on HomeGuide.
Confirm that they have liability insurance and a license in pest control or wildlife management.
Avoid choosing a service with the lowest price, which can lead to poor results.
Keep records of the service agreement, warranties, and cost estimates.
Only make the final payment once the job is complete.
Questions to ask
Before hiring a service to remove wild animals from your property, ask:
How many years of experience do you have in removing wildlife?
Can you describe how you'll remove these animals and keep them out?
What's your process for inspecting my property for animal colonies?
Do you ensure humane removal of all types of wild animals?
Can I get a guarantee that these animals won't return for at least a year?
What timeline should I expect for completely evicting an animal colony?
When can you start the removal, and does it depend on the breeding season?
How often will you check traps or monitors?
Can you provide references from past clients with similar wildlife removals?
What are the potential risks involved in this process?
Do you offer cleanup services afterward, and does it cost extra?
Will you seal all potential entry points to prevent future infestations?
How do you ensure the safety of my property during the process?
Are home repairs included in this quote?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.