Top Wildlife Removal in Santa Monica, California Ranked

When raccoons rummage through your trash, squirrels nest in your attic, or coyotes become a regular sight in your neighborhood, it's clear you have a wildlife issue. In a city like Santa Monica, where urban spaces meet natural habitats, humane and effective animal control is essential for protecting your property and ensuring the safety of both people and animals. This guide explains the common nuisance species in the area, outlines what you can legally do yourself, and details when it's time to call a professional wildlife removal specialist to resolve the problem.

Orchard Inc.

los angeles

Orchard Inc. is a pest control company based in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in rodent, bird, and wildlife removal services for both residential and commercial properties. They use humane methods and combine modern techniques with proven approaches to manage infestations while respecting natural ecosystems. Orchard Inc. also offers wildlife fencing as a preventative measure to keep animals off properties. The company serves Los Angeles County and Orange County, handling a wide range of pest control needs with a focus on bird and rodent solutions.

5.0

373 Reviews

Hawkins Animal Trapping and Removal

long beach

Hawkins Animal Trapping and Removal is a family-owned business based in Long Beach, CA, serving Los Angeles and Orange County. Established in 2018 by an industry professional with over 10 years of experience, the company offers wildlife and animal removal services for both homeowners and businesses. Their services include rodent, raccoon, bird, skunk, opossum, and bat removal, as well as attic cleaning and dead animal removal. They handle dead animals found in crawlspaces, attics, lawns, roofs, and driveways, ensuring safe and effective removal.

5.0

283 Reviews

Ashe Animal Control

423 W 18th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Ashe Animal Control is a family-owned business offering humane wildlife removal, rodent control, and property repair services in Los Angeles, CA, and Orange County. They specialize in safe animal trapping and removal while focusing on protecting homes with integrity and care. Their services include identifying and sealing entry points to prevent future infestations, ensuring long-term protection for residential and commercial properties. Ashe Animal Control is known for transparent pricing and personalized service, treating every home with respect and attention to detail.

5.0

158 Reviews

All City Animal Trapping

1321 Alameda St, Wilmington, CA 90744

All City Animal Trapping is a wildlife removal company based in Los Angeles, CA. They specialize in humane trapping and removal of nuisance animals such as raccoons, squirrels, bats, and birds. Their services include damage repair, decontamination, and preventive measures to keep homes and businesses wildlife-free. With over 20 years of experience, the company serves residential and commercial customers throughout Los Angeles and surrounding counties. All City Animal Trapping employs licensed and insured professionals who use effective and humane methods for animal control.

4.9

716 Reviews

Orkin

419 W Walnut St Ste 306, Gardena, CA 90248

Orkin provides comprehensive pest control services in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in residential pest management. They handle a variety of pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, and wildlife. Orkin offers customized pest plans tailored to specific pest problems and uses advanced treatments such as liquid barriers, Sentricon® bait, and dry foam void fillers for termite control. With over 120 years of experience, Orkin supports customers with 24/7 availability for pest emergencies.

4.9

433 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Santa Monica

Santa Monica's blend of coastal canyons, parks, and dense residential areas creates an ideal environment for a variety of wildlife to thrive. Understanding which animals are most likely to cause issues is the first step in managing them.

• Mammals: The most frequent offenders include raccoons, opossums, ground squirrels, roof rats, mice, bats, and skunks ^{1 2}. These animals are often attracted to homes by the promise of food, water, and shelter.
• Birds: Pigeons, starlings, and woodpeckers can also become pests, causing noise, mess, and structural damage to roofs and siding ^{1 2}.
• Coyotes: As adaptable predators, coyotes are a significant presence in Santa Monica. While they play a role in the ecosystem, encounters can be dangerous for pets and unsettling for residents ^{1 3}.

These animals aren't inherently "bad," but their search for resources often brings them into conflict with humans, leading to damaged property, health risks, and stressful situations.

What You Can Do: DIY Prevention and Exclusion

Before a situation escalates, homeowners can take several proactive, legal steps to make their property less inviting to wildlife. These methods focus on exclusion and habitat modification, which are the cornerstones of humane and long-term animal control.

Exclusion involves physically blocking animals from entering your home. This is a critical and often effective first line of defense. Key actions include:

• Sealing gaps, cracks, and holes in your home's foundation, siding, and roofline.
• Installing sturdy, animal-proof vent covers on attic and crawl space vents.
• Repairing damaged soffits, fascia, and roof tiles where animals can gain entry ^{1 4 5}.

Habitat Modification makes your yard less attractive by removing the things wildlife seeks:

• Secure Trash: Use locking lids or store cans in a secured enclosure. Raccoons are notoriously clever at opening bins.
• Remove Food Sources: Do not leave pet food outdoors overnight. Pick up fallen fruit from trees.
• Eliminate Water: Fix leaky faucets and avoid leaving standing water in bird baths or containers.
• Trim Vegetation: Keep tree branches trimmed back at least 6-10 feet from your roof and prune dense shrubs near the house to eliminate hiding spots and access routes ^{1 2 6}.

For minor issues, such as a single squirrel or rat, residents can use basic trapping. In California, you can set live traps, but you must be aware of strict regulations. For example, traps generally cannot be set within 150 yards of an occupied residence without written permission from the occupant ^{7 5}. Most importantly, it is illegal to relocate trapped wild animals in California. You must either release the animal immediately on your property or humanely dispatch it according to state regulations ^{1 2 7}.

When to Call a Professional Wildlife Control Operator

While DIY methods work for prevention and minor issues, many wildlife problems require the expertise of a licensed Wildlife Control Operator (WCO). Here are clear signs you need professional help:

• Injured or Sick Animals: If you encounter a wild animal that appears disoriented, injured, or ill, do not approach it. Contact LA County Animal Care & Control immediately for assistance ^{1 2}.
• Coyote Encounters: For aggressive coyote behavior or frequent sightings that concern you, report them to Animal Control. Remember, feeding coyotes is illegal in Santa Monica and is considered a misdemeanor ^{1 3}.
• Complex Infestations: Situations involving bats (which are protected and require special exclusion techniques), large rodent colonies, or birds nesting in vents/chimneys are highly technical.
• Attic or Wall Invaders: When animals have established a nest inside your home, simple trapping isn't enough. Professionals will remove the animals, find and seal all entry points, and often provide remediation services like cleaning up droppings and replacing contaminated insulation ^{4 8}.
• When DIY Fails: If you've tried exclusion and the animals keep getting in, a professional can identify hidden entry points you may have missed.

Understanding California's Wildlife Removal Laws

Navigating the legal landscape is crucial for both DIY efforts and when hiring a pro. California has specific laws designed to protect wildlife, even when it's causing a nuisance.

• No Relocation: As mentioned, relocating a trapped animal to a park, forest, or other area is prohibited. This law helps prevent the spread of disease and protects ecosystems ^{1 2}.
• Humane Treatment: All trapping and dispatch methods must comply with state humane standards. This often means using specific types of traps and following strict protocols ^{7 5}.
• Feeding Ban: It is illegal to feed non-domestic rodents or mammalian predators like raccoons, coyotes, and opossums. This law aims to prevent animals from becoming habituated to humans, which increases conflict ^{1 2}.
• Protected Species: Some animals, like certain bat species, have additional protections. A licensed professional will know how to handle these cases legally and ethically ^{8 6}.

What to Expect: Services and Costs

A professional wildlife removal service in Santa Monica typically follows an integrated process: inspection, removal, exclusion, and cleanup. Costs can vary widely based on the animal, the severity of the infestation, and the extent of damage.

• Inspection and Assessment: The technician will identify the pest, locate entry points, and assess damage to provide a detailed plan and quote.
• Removal Methods: This may involve live trapping, one-way exclusion doors (which let animals leave but not return), or hands-on removal for young or trapped animals.
• Exclusion and Repair: After removal, the service will seal all identified entry points with durable materials to prevent re-entry. This is the most important step for a permanent solution.
• Cleanup and Sanitation: Many companies offer attic restoration, decontamination, and odor removal to address health hazards from urine, feces, and nesting materials.

Cost Ranges in Santa Monica:

• Simple Trapping/Removal: For a basic job like removing squirrels or rats from a garage, prices often start around $200-$400 ^{1 9}.
• Medium-Complexity Jobs: Removing animals from an attic, including minor sealing and cleanup, typically ranges from $300 to over $1,000, depending on the access and number of animals ^{1 4}.
• Complex Remediation: Full-scale jobs involving bats, extensive damage, coyote management, or complete attic restoration can cost between $500 and $2,000 or more ^{4 9 8}.

Finding a Qualified Professional in Santa Monica

When searching for help, look for licensed, insured professionals with experience in Santa Monica's specific wildlife challenges. Companies like Aesthetic Wildlife Control, Animal Capture Wildlife Control, and other locally reviewed specialists understand the local laws and common species ^{4 10}. Always ask for references, a detailed written estimate, and a guarantee on their exclusion work. A reputable operator will focus on humane, permanent solutions rather than just repeated trapping.

Frequently asked questions

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