Top Wildlife Removal in Coconut Creek, Florida Ranked

Discovering an uninvited animal in your attic, under your deck, or digging up your yard can be unsettling. In Coconut Creek, managing nuisance wildlife is a unique challenge due to Florida's diverse ecosystem and strict state regulations. This guide explains the common wildlife issues local residents face, outlines what you can legally do yourself, and details when and how to find a licensed professional for humane and effective animal control and removal.

In Touch Pest Control

3489 NW 24th St, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311

In Touch Pest Control is a locally owned and family-operated pest control company serving Fort Lauderdale, FL, and surrounding South Florida communities. Established in 2005, they offer a range of pest management services including termite treatment, ant and rodent control, wildlife removal, and lawn pest services. Their certified team uses eco-conscious and family-safe methods to address common pests such as termites, ants, roaches, rodents, and outdoor invaders. They provide same-day service and specialize in sealing entry points to prevent rodent damage and health risks.

5.0

483 Reviews

Tower Pest Control Inc

7760 W 20th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33016

Tower Pest Control Inc has been providing eco-friendly pest control services in Miami, FL, and South Florida since 1996. They specialize in treating a wide range of pests including bed bugs, termites, rodents, ants, cockroaches, mosquitoes, bees, and wildlife. Their approach focuses on using non-toxic, environmentally safe products and humane removal techniques to protect homes and businesses while preserving the local ecosystem. With over 25 years of experience, Tower Pest Control offers comprehensive termite inspections and organic pest control solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the Miami area.

5.0

357 Reviews

Redline Iguana Removal

pembroke pines

Redline Iguana Removal is a wildlife removal company based in Pembroke Pines, FL, specializing in humane iguana control. They serve Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties, using hand-catching, trapping, and other approved methods to manage iguana populations. The company addresses property and landscape damage caused by iguanas, including tunnel digging, roof damage, and harm to gardens. They also focus on reducing health risks associated with iguana feces, which can carry salmonella. With over 15 years of experience, Redline Iguana Removal follows guidelines set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and now offers humane nuisance wildlife removal services for homeowners associations, managed communities, and private homeowners across South Florida.

5.0

347 Reviews

Mitchell Pest Services - A Division of Turner Pest Control

4846 N University Dr #291, Lauderhill, FL 33351

Mitchell Pest Services - A Division of Turner Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company serving Fort Lauderdale, FL, and nearby areas since 2014. They provide residential and commercial pest management solutions including bed bug treatment, termite inspections, rodent control, mosquito control, and wildlife removal. Their approach uses integrated pest management techniques focused on identifying root causes and applying environmentally friendly treatments that are safe for homes and businesses. The company emphasizes local expertise to address Fort Lauderdale's unique pest challenges and offers ongoing maintenance to keep properties protected year-round.

5.0

344 Reviews

Gables Pest Control

miami

Gables Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company based in Miami, FL, specializing in a wide range of pest management services. They treat homes and businesses using pet- and child-friendly insecticides for interior and exterior protection, focusing on pests such as ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, rodents, spiders, wasps, and wildlife. The company also offers humane wildlife removal, safely relocating animals like raccoons, squirrels, and opossums. Owner Julio Fernandez brings over five years of experience and local knowledge to the business, ensuring tailored solutions for South Florida's unique pest challenges.

5.0

201 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Coconut Creek

South Florida's climate and urban-wildland interface make it a hotspot for a variety of animals that can become problematic for homeowners. Knowing what you're dealing with is the first step.

• Raccoons: These intelligent, dexterous mammals are frequent visitors, often seeking shelter in attics or easy meals from unsecured garbage cans. They are known carriers of rabies and can cause significant damage while nesting. ¹
• Iguanas: As a prominent non-native, invasive species, green iguanas are a common sight. They damage valuable landscape plants, vegetables, and flowers, and their burrowing can undermine seawalls, foundations, and canal banks. ^{1 2}
• Rodents: This category includes roof rats, Norway rats, house mice, and squirrels. They are notorious for chewing on electrical wiring (a fire hazard), contaminating insulation with droppings, and nesting in wall voids and attics. ^{1 3}
• Opossums: Often misunderstood, these marsupials are generally harmless and beneficial as they eat pests like cockroaches and snails. However, they may raid pet food left outdoors or get into garbage, becoming a nuisance. ^{1 4}
• Armadillos: These animals are driven by their search for insects and grubs, leading them to dig numerous holes in lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas, causing significant property damage. ¹
• Snakes: While most snakes in Florida are non-venomous and help control rodent populations, the presence of venomous species like the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake or the water moccasin poses a legitimate safety concern. ^{1 3}
• Birds: Non-native species like Muscovy ducks and Egyptian geese can create nuisances with excessive droppings on patios, pools, and walkways, as well as aggressive behavior during nesting season. ¹

Florida's Wildlife Regulations: What You Need to Know

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) sets the rules for all wildlife interactions. Understanding these regulations is crucial, as illegal actions can result in fines.

For Native Wildlife: Direct handling and removal are heavily regulated. ⁵ If you live-trap a native animal like a raccoon, squirrel, or opossum that is causing property damage, you must either humanely euthanize it or release it on the same contiguous property where it was caught. ⁶ Relocating native wildlife to a park, preserve, or another neighborhood is generally illegal without a specific permit, as it can spread disease and disrupt ecosystems. ⁵

For Non-Native, Invasive Species: The rules are different for animals like iguanas, Muscovy ducks, and Cuban tree frogs. Landowners (or those with their permission) can humanely capture and euthanize these species at any time without a permit. ⁶ However, it is illegal to relocate them or release them elsewhere in the state. ⁴

Important Legal Restrictions:

• Poison: The use of poisons to control any native wildlife in Florida is illegal. ⁷
• Firearms: While the FWC may issue permits for using firearms in specific situations (like dispatching a trapped animal), local city ordinances in Coconut Creek typically prohibit the discharge of firearms in residential areas. ^{8 7}
• Cruelty: All actions must comply with state anti-cruelty laws. ⁹

DIY Prevention and Deterrence Strategies

The most effective and least confrontational approach to wildlife control is to make your property less attractive to them. This proactive wildlife management can prevent most issues before they start.

• Remove Food Sources: Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids or bungee cords. Bring pet food and water bowls inside at night. Pick up fallen fruit from trees. Use bird feeders that are less likely to spill seed on the ground.
• Eliminate Shelter: Seal potential entry points to your home. Check for gaps in roof soffits, vents, and where utility lines enter. Install sturdy screens over attic vents and chimney caps. Keep yard debris, woodpiles, and dense vegetation away from your home's foundation.
• Use Humane Deterrents: Motion-activated sprinklers can startle and discourage animals from entering gardens. Placing bright lights or a talk radio in an attic can encourage a raccoon family to vacate. For burrowing animals, installing a barrier of hardware cloth underground around a garden can be effective.

When and How to Hire a Professional Wildlife Trapper

For situations where prevention fails, an animal is trapped inside a structure, or you are dealing with a potentially dangerous species, hiring a professional is the safest and most legally compliant solution. ⁹ In Florida, these professionals are licensed as Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs) by the FWC.

A professional brings expertise in:

• Accurate Identification: Knowing the exact species informs the correct, legal removal method.
• Humane Trapping Techniques: Using the right size and type of trap placed in optimal locations.
• Legal Compliance: Adhering to FWC regulations for euthanasia or on-site release of native species, and proper disposal of non-native species.
• Exclusion and Repair: After removal, a key service is permanently sealing entry points and repairing damage to prevent future intrusions.

Understanding the Cost of Wildlife Removal Services

Nuisance wildlife removal is handled by private companies, and the FWC does not regulate their fees. ^{10 11} Costs can vary widely based on the animal, the complexity of the access, and the extent of damage. ^{12 13}

A typical service may include the following cost components:

• Inspection Fee: An initial assessment, often ranging from $75 to $150. ¹⁴
• Trapping/Removal Fee: This can be a flat rate for a set period (e.g., one week of trap monitoring) or a per-animal charge. Removal of larger or more hazardous animals typically costs more.
• Euthanasia/Disposal Fee: Applicable for non-native species or when required for native species.
• Exclusion and Repair Work: The cost to seal entry points with professional materials like steel flashing, hardware cloth, and chimney caps. Repairing chewed wires, soiled insulation, or structural damage is an additional, often significant, expense. ¹⁵

It is highly recommended to obtain detailed, written quotes from several licensed FWC Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators to understand the full scope and cost for your specific situation. ^{11 16}

Special Cases and Important Contacts

Some wildlife situations require immediate and specific responses.

• Nuisance Alligators: If you see an alligator you believe is a threat (typically 4 feet or longer in a location where it poses a danger), do not approach it. Contact the FWC Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1-866-FWC-GATOR (1-866-392-4286). ¹⁷
• Injured or Orphaned Wildlife: For visibly injured or orphaned native animals (e.g., a baby bird on the ground, an injured squirrel), you can contact Coconut Creek Animal Services at 954-973-6758 for guidance. ¹⁷
• Bears: While less common in Coconut Creek, if you feel threatened by a bear or encounter a sick, injured, or dead bear, call the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). ¹⁸
• Reporting Non-Native Species: To report sightings of invasive iguanas, pythons, or other non-native wildlife, you can call the FWC Exotic Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681) or report online at IveGot1.org. ¹⁹
• Finding a Licensed Trapper: The official resource is the FWC's Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Directory, which lists licensed professionals by county. ¹¹

Frequently asked questions

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