Top Wildlife Removal in Simi Valley, California Ranked

Finding uninvited wildlife in your Simi Valley home or business can be unsettling. From raccoons in the attic to skunks under the deck, these encounters require a specific, informed approach. Professional wildlife removal and animal control services focus on safely resolving conflicts with nuisance animals while adhering to strict California laws. This guide explains the common wildlife issues in Simi Valley, effective prevention strategies, and how to navigate the process of finding qualified local help for humane and permanent solutions.

Traction Wildlife and Pest Control

5740 Hazeltine Ave #1, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Traction Wildlife and Pest Control is a licensed company based in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in humane wildlife removal and pest control for both residential and commercial properties. They serve the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles areas, offering services that include animal removal, sanitation, damage repair, and preventive measures to keep properties free from pests and wildlife. The company has completed over 10,000 projects and operates with licensed staff using methods compliant with state laws. Traction Wildlife and Pest Control provides 24/7 emergency service for urgent situations involving trapped or injured animals.

4.9

268 Reviews

Hydrex Pest Control & Termite Co

3252 Foothill Blvd, Glendale, CA 91214

Hydrex Pest Control & Termite Co has been serving Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding areas for over 70 years. They provide pest control services for both residential and commercial properties, addressing infestations of ants, bed bugs, bees, cockroaches, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, and more. Their team uses eco-friendly, low-toxicity methods to manage pests while minimizing environmental impact. Hydrex specializes in termite identification, removal, and prevention, including treatments for dry wood and subterranean termites. The company is a member of the Pest Control Operators of California and the National Pest Management Association, reflecting their commitment to industry standards.

4.9

79 Reviews

ALL STAR ANIMAL TRAPPING

15841 Wyandotte St, Van Nuys, CA 91406

ALL STAR ANIMAL TRAPPING is a wildlife removal company based in Los Angeles, CA. They provide animal trapping and exclusion services to keep homes free from unwanted wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, rats, and snakes. Their service area includes Los Angeles and nearby cities like Glendale and Burbank. The company specializes in animal exclusion to help prevent future invasions.

4.8

148 Reviews

Josh Cabrera's Pest Control Services Inc.

oxnard

Josh Cabrera's Pest Control Services Inc. is a family-operated pest control company serving Oxnard, CA, and Ventura County. Since 2013, they have provided a range of pest management services including ant control, rodent control, termite inspections, and wildlife removal. Licensed in both agricultural and structural pest control, they offer comprehensive assessments, customized treatment plans, and eco-friendly solutions to address various pest issues. With nearly two decades of experience, they focus on protecting homes from pests year-round.

4.8

112 Reviews

Pest Arrest (fka Dallas General Pest & Termite Inc)

28144 Witherspoon Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Pest Arrest (fka Dallas General Pest & Termite Inc) is a family-owned pest control company based in Santa Clarita, CA, serving Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and the San Fernando Valley. They provide a wide range of pest control services including bed bug treatment, termite inspections, rodent and wildlife removal, and commercial pest management. Their expertise includes customized indoor and outdoor treatments using eco-friendly products when preferred. With over 30 years of experience since 1992, Pest Arrest offers flexible commercial plans and personalized residential services to address specific pest challenges in homes and businesses.

4.8

112 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Simi Valley

The unique landscape of Simi Valley, nestled against the Santa Susana Mountains, brings residents into close contact with a variety of native animals. When these creatures seek food, water, or shelter, they can become problematic pests. Knowing which animals are most likely to cause issues is the first step in addressing them.

The most frequent offenders include mammals like raccoons, opossums, skunks, and coyotes ¹. These animals are highly adaptable and often drawn to residential areas by accessible food sources like unsecured trash, pet food, or fallen fruit. Tree squirrels, particularly red fox squirrels, and rodents like roof rats and house mice are also common, frequently entering attics and wall voids to nest ^{2 3}.

Beyond mammals, bird and bat infestations present unique challenges. Birds such as pigeons, sparrows, or woodpeckers can nest in vents, chimneys, or eaves, leading to noise, droppings, and potential structural damage. Bats, while beneficial for insect control, can form colonies in attics. Their guano (droppings) can pose health risks and create odor problems, requiring specialized exclusion techniques for safe removal ².

Why Professional Wildlife Control is Often Necessary

Many homeowners consider handling a wildlife problem themselves, but there are significant reasons to engage a professional wildlife removal service. The primary factor is California's complex set of wildlife laws and regulations, which are strictly enforced to protect native species and public safety.

A critical law to understand is that it is generally illegal to relocate healthy native wildlife in California ^{4 5}. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) prohibits relocation because it can spread disease, disrupt existing animal populations, and simply move the problem to another neighborhood. For many trapped animals, the legal options are limited to release on the property where they were caught or, in many cases, euthanasia ^{6 7}. Professionals are trained to navigate these legal requirements and execute the appropriate, lawful course of action.

Furthermore, animal control experts possess the right tools and knowledge for safe handling. Wild animals can be aggressive when cornered, carry diseases like rabies or leptospirosis, and cause injury. Professionals also specialize in finding and sealing entry points-a process called exclusion-which is essential for preventing repeat infestations. Without proper exclusion, simply removing an animal leaves your property vulnerable to the next one ^{8 9}.

Effective Prevention and Exclusion Strategies

The best approach to wildlife is to prevent conflicts before they start. By making your property less attractive and accessible, you can avoid the need for removal altogether. Prevention focuses on eliminating the three things wildlife seeks: food, water, and shelter.

Remove Food Sources: Secure your trash cans with locking lids or bungee cords. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight. Pick up fallen fruit from trees and keep barbecue grills clean. Compost bins should be securely covered ^{4 5}. Even bird feeders can attract rodents and, subsequently, the predators that eat them.

Eliminate Shelter and Entry Points: Conduct a thorough inspection of your home's exterior. Look for gaps in siding, loose roof vents, broken soffits, or openings where utility lines enter. Trim tree branches back at least six feet from your roofline to prevent squirrels and raccoons from accessing the roof ⁹. Seal any potential entry points with durable materials like heavy-gauge hardware cloth, steel wool (for rodents), or metal flashing. Remember, a determined animal can exploit a very small opening.

Practice Humane Deterrence: Using bright lights, loud radios, or commercial repellents in attics or crawlspaces can sometimes encourage a resting animal to leave on its own, allowing you to then seal the entry. However, this is often a temporary measure and is most effective when combined with permanent exclusion.

When to Call for Help: Animal Control vs. Wildlife Professionals

Knowing which agency or service to contact can save time and ensure the situation is handled correctly. The response depends on the animal's condition and location.

Call Ventura County Animal Services or LA County Animal Care & Control if:

• You encounter a sick or injured wild animal. Do not attempt to approach or handle it ^{4 1}.
• You see wildlife that is an immediate public safety risk (e.g., a coyote acting aggressively in a school yard).
• You need to report someone illegally feeding prohibited wildlife like coyotes or rodents ^{1 10}.

These agencies are tasked with protecting public health and safety and typically respond to animals in distress or posing a direct threat. It's important to note that they generally do not remove healthy wildlife from private property simply because it is a nuisance ^{8 11}.

Contact a licensed wildlife removal professional if:

• An animal is inside your home (attic, walls, chimney, crawlspace).
• You have an ongoing nuisance issue (e.g., raccoons routinely tipping trash cans, squirrels in the eaves).
• You need exclusion work-permanently sealing an animal out after it has been removed.
• You have trapped an animal and need it handled lawfully.
• The infestation requires cleanup, decontamination, or repair of damage (e.g., chewed wires, soiled insulation) ^{11 2 10}.

Understanding the Process and Associated Costs

A professional wildlife control operation typically follows a multi-step process: inspection, removal, exclusion, and cleanup. The cost for these services in Simi Valley varies widely based on the animal, the extent of the infestation, and the work required.

For a basic service call and the removal of a single animal from a readily accessible trap, you might expect costs to start in the low hundreds ¹¹. However, most jobs are more complex. Removing a family of raccoons from an attic, for example, involves live trapping, possibly over several days, followed by a crucial exclusion step to seal the entry point they used. This can easily cost several hundred dollars.

The most expensive scenarios involve extensive damage repair or decontamination. If bats or rodents have soiled insulation with droppings and urine, a full attic cleanup and insulation replacement may be necessary for health and odor reasons. Repairing chewed electrical wires, damaged ductwork, or wood from gnawing can also add significantly to the bill, with some complex jobs exceeding $500 or more ^{11 10}. Reputable companies will always provide a detailed, written estimate after an inspection.

Legal and Humane Considerations in California

Navigating the legal landscape is a fundamental part of wildlife management in Simi Valley. Beyond the prohibition on relocation, there are other key regulations.

Trapping Permits: While landowners (or their agents) can often trap certain common nuisance species like coyotes, skunks, opossums, and rodents that are damaging property, trapping most other native mammals and birds typically requires a permit from the CDFW ^{6 12}. Professional trappers are familiar with these permit processes.

Poison Use: The use of rodenticides (poisons) for rat and mouse control is highly discouraged for wildlife conflicts. Poisoned rodents often die in inaccessible wall voids or attics, causing severe odor problems. More critically, they can be eaten by predators like hawks, owls, or family pets, leading to secondary poisoning and death of non-target animals ¹³. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that focus on exclusion and trapping are more effective and environmentally responsible.

Humane Standards: California has animal cruelty laws that apply to trapping. Traps must be checked at minimum intervals (often every 24 hours) to prevent prolonged suffering ⁹. Professional wildlife controllers are trained in these standards and use methods designed to minimize stress and harm, even when euthanasia is the required outcome.

Frequently asked questions

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