Top Wildlife Removal in Anchorage, Alaska Ranked

Living in Anchorage means sharing your space with a vibrant and sometimes intrusive array of wild neighbors. From moose browsing in your backyard to squirrels nesting in your attic, wildlife encounters are a common part of life in Alaska's largest city. Professional wildlife removal and animal control services are essential for resolving conflicts safely, humanely, and effectively. This resource helps you understand the local wildlife challenges, navigate the specific regulations, and connect with experts who can protect your property from damage and ensure the well-being of both people and animals.

Alaska Affordable Pest

anchorage

Alaska Affordable Pest provides pest control and wildlife removal services in Anchorage, AK, and surrounding areas including Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer, and Girdwood. They offer treatments for ants, bed bugs, rodents, bees, wasps, and other pests, focusing on long-term prevention and humane wildlife removal. The company is licensed and insured, with capabilities in rodent control and organic pest management. They serve both residential and commercial clients in the Anchorage region.

4.7

13 Reviews

Varmint Gone Anchorage

9952 W Demar Ave, Wasilla, AK 99623

Varmint Gone Anchorage provides wildlife and pest control services in Anchorage, AK, including bat, rodent, and squirrel removal for both commercial and residential properties. The company is known for its expertise in permanent removal solutions and offers services throughout Anchorage, the Mat-Su Borough, Kenai Peninsula, and remote Alaskan areas, including fly-in service for hard-to-reach communities. With 34 years of experience, Varmint Gone Anchorage is a NWCOA Certified Compliant Wildlife Control Operator and offers a one-year warranty on all repairs and exclusion work. The founder also provides wildlife rescue and transport services to rehabilitation facilities across Alaska.

4.0

12 Reviews

See more providers in Anchorage, AK

Common Nuisance Wildlife in Anchorage

Anchorage's unique urban-wildland interface brings a distinct set of animal control issues. Knowing which species you're dealing with is the first step toward a proper solution.

Bears (Black & Brown) Bears are a top safety concern in Anchorage, primarily attracted by unsecured food sources. They are powerful scavengers drawn to garbage, pet food left outdoors, birdseed, and even barbecue grills ^{1 2}. An encounter with a bear on your property is not just a nuisance-it's a significant public safety risk that requires immediate and professional attention to prevent habituation and potential attacks.

Moose Moose are incredibly common and can be surprisingly dangerous, especially cows with calves or bulls during the rutting season. They create hazards by blocking roads, damaging landscaping, and, in winter, seeking shelter near buildings where they can become aggressive ^{1 3}. Their size alone makes moose management a job for trained professionals who understand animal behavior and local ordinances.

Geese Large flocks of Canada geese can transform parks, golf courses, and waterfront properties into nuisance zones. Their droppings create unsanitary conditions, damage grass, and can pose a slip hazard. Managing geese populations often requires a combination of habitat modification and permitted hazing techniques ^{1 4}.

Squirrels, Rats, and Mice These smaller mammals are experts at finding entry points into homes and businesses. Once inside, they can chew electrical wiring (a fire hazard), contaminate insulation with droppings, and create noise in walls and attics. A simple trapping job often must be paired with expert exclusion work to seal entry points and prevent re-infestation ^{1 5}.

Skunks & Other Small Mammals Skunks, voles, and other creatures can cause damage to foundations, gardens, and lawns. Skunks, in particular, are known for their potent odor and for digging under structures. Removal must be handled carefully and is typically followed by a thorough cleanup and repair of any damage ¹.

Understanding Anchorage's Wildlife Regulations

Attempting to handle a wildlife problem on your own can run afoul of strict local and state laws. Knowing the rules is crucial before taking any action.

The Role of Government Agencies

• Anchorage Animal Care & Control (AACC): This municipal agency handles issues with loose domestic animals like dogs and cats. They also lend live traps for these domestic pets, requiring a deposit and signed agreement ⁶. For true wild animals, they will typically refer you to the state.
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G): This is the primary agency for wild animal issues. They provide educational resources on coexistence and, importantly, issue the necessary permits for the lethal control or relocation of many nuisance species ^{7 8}. Contacting ADF&G for guidance is a recommended first step for persistent wild animal problems.

Key Laws and Ordinances

• Lethal Control Permits: You generally cannot shoot or kill a bear or moose on your property simply because it is a nuisance. State law (5 AAC 92.420) requires that you must have first exhausted non-lethal prevention methods, such as securing all attractants, and that the animal must pose an imminent threat to life or property ⁹. A permit from ADF&G is typically required for any lethal take ⁷.
• Trapping Restrictions: Municipal code prohibits most trapping within Anchorage city limits unless the trap is inside an enclosed structure or is being used by a public official ^{5 10}. This makes DIY trapping for many species illegal and underscores the need for a licensed professional.
• Public Nuisance Laws: Property owners are responsible for not creating conditions that attract nuisance wildlife, such as improperly stored garbage, which is itself a violation of local code ¹⁰.

DIY Prevention vs. Professional Wildlife Control

A proactive approach can prevent most conflicts, but when animals move in, professional expertise is often required.

Effective Do-It-Yourself Prevention The most cost-effective strategy is to make your property less attractive to wildlife.

• Secure All Food Sources: Use bear-resistant garbage cans, store trash indoors until pickup day, never leave pet food outside, and take down bird feeders during spring through fall ^{2 3}.
• Block Entry Points: Conduct seasonal inspections of your home's exterior. Seal cracks in the foundation, install chimney caps, and repair holes in soffits, vents, and rooflines to exclude squirrels, rats, and bats ¹.
• Use Hazing Techniques: For geese or other birds, approved visual and noise deterrents can be effective when used consistently. For moose, simply giving them a wide berth and allowing them to move on is safest.
• Educate Yourself: Utilize the excellent resources provided by ADF&G's "Living with Wildlife in Anchorage" program to understand animal behavior ^{2 4}.

When to Call a Professional Wildlife Removal Service DIY methods have limits. You should contact a licensed wildlife control operator when:

• An animal is inside your home or business structure (attic, walls, crawlspace).
• You are dealing with a large, potentially dangerous animal like a bear or an aggressive moose.
• There is evidence of structural damage, chewed wiring, or significant contamination from droppings.
• You have a recurring problem that prevention hasn't solved.
• The situation requires a permit for trapping or removal that a professional can obtain and manage.

Professionals have the tools, legal knowledge, and experience to resolve the issue humanely, perform necessary repairs, and clean up biohazards like urine and feces, which is critical for health and safety ^{1 11}.

What to Expect: The Process and Cost of Removal

Understanding the typical workflow and pricing can help you choose the right service.

The Professional Removal Process A reputable service will follow a comprehensive approach:

1. Inspection: A thorough assessment to identify the animal species, entry points, and extent of damage.
2. Removal: Using legal, humane methods appropriate for the species and situation. This may involve live trapping, one-way exclusion doors, or other techniques.
3. Exclusion & Repair: The most critical step. The technician will seal all entry points to prevent re-entry. This may involve repairing chewed wood, installing wire mesh, or replacing damaged vents.
4. Cleanup & Sanitation: Removing contaminated insulation, deodorizing affected areas, and disinfecting to eliminate health risks from parasites and bacteria.
5. Prevention Advice: Providing recommendations for ongoing property management to avoid future issues.

Cost Factors for Wildlife Control in Anchorage Costs in Anchorage vary widely based on the complexity of the job and the species involved ¹¹.

• Simple to Medium Jobs: For removing animals like squirrels or ground-dwelling rodents using traps, prices often start around $299 or more. This usually covers assessment, trapping, removal, and minor exclusion work ^{1 11}.
• Complex Jobs: Situations involving animals in attics, extensive damage, or significant odor remediation (e.g., from a rodent infestation or a deceased animal) cost significantly more. If previous DIY repairs have failed, the cost can increase as professionals must redo the work correctly ^{1 11}.
• Emergency Services: Calls for immediate threats, such as a bear on a porch, typically command a premium rate.
• DIY Costs: While initially cheaper, DIY efforts often fail to address the root cause (entry points), leading to repeat infestations and ultimately higher costs when a professional must fix the problem later.

Frequently asked questions

Sources