Top Wildlife Removal in Coral Gables, Florida Ranked

Discovering an uninvited animal in your attic or yard can be unsettling. Wildlife removal is the process of safely and legally addressing conflicts with wild animals that have become a nuisance or a threat to property. In Coral Gables, this service is crucial due to the area's unique urban-wildlife interface and specific state regulations. This guide explains the local wildlife you might encounter, the rules governing their removal, and how to find qualified professionals to resolve the issue effectively.

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

Direct Pest Solutions

15245 SW 31st Ln, Miami, FL 33185

Direct Pest Solutions is a family-owned pest control company serving Miami, FL, and Miami-Dade County. Since 2020, they have provided residential and commercial pest control services, including termite inspections, bed bug heat treatments, rodent removal, mosquito barrier treatments, and wildlife control. Their licensed and insured technicians use Integrated Pest Management techniques and EPA-approved products to deliver safe and effective pest control solutions. The company offers thorough inspections, customized treatment plans, and ongoing monitoring to prevent pest recurrence, backed by a lifetime protection guarantee.

5.0

226 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

See more providers in Coral Gables, FL

Common Nuisance Wildlife in Coral Gables

The lush landscapes and older architecture of Coral Gables can attract a variety of wild animals seeking food and shelter. Knowing which species you're dealing with is the first step toward a proper solution.

• Raccoons and Opossums: These nocturnal scavengers are frequent visitors, often drawn to unsecured trash cans and pet food. They are known carriers of diseases like rabies and can cause significant damage when they take up residence in attics or crawl spaces^{1 2}.
• Squirrels: While charming in the park, squirrels in your home are a serious problem. They chew on electrical wiring, wood, and insulation, creating fire hazards and costly damage^{1 3}.
• Armadillos: Recognizable by their bony plates, armadillos are notorious for their digging. They can quickly turn a manicured lawn into a field of holes and burrows while searching for insects^{2 4}.
• Bats: Bats are a protected species in Florida and play a vital role in controlling insects. However, colonies in attics or walls create noise, odors, and potential health risks from accumulated guano. Critically, they cannot be disturbed during their maternity season from April to August^{5 6}.
• Non-Native Species: South Florida's climate allows non-native species to thrive. Iguanas can damage landscaping and infrastructure, while reports of wild hogs in suburban areas may require specialized control measures⁴.

Understanding Florida's Wildlife Removal Laws

Before taking action, it's essential to understand the legal framework. Florida has specific regulations designed to balance humane treatment with effective nuisance control^{5 7}.

When Can You Act? Florida law generally allows property owners to address nuisance wildlife that is causing property damage, poses a threat to public safety, or is an annoyance within a dwelling⁸. This means if an animal is actively damaging your home or is inside it, you have the right to remove it.

Legal Removal Methods If you choose to handle the situation yourself, you must follow approved methods:

• Live Trapping: Using cage traps is a common and legal approach for many species.
• Firearms: In some cases, the use of firearms during daylight hours is permitted, but you must check with the Coral Gables Police Department for any local ordinances that restrict discharge within city limits⁵.

Prohibited and Restricted Actions:

• Poisoning or Drowning: These methods are illegal under Florida's anti-cruelty laws⁹.
• Relocation: This is highly restricted. Live-captured native wildlife must be either humanely euthanized or released on the same contiguous property within 24 hours. Relocating an animal to another site requires at least 40 contiguous acres of suitable habitat, written permission from the landowner, and compliance with county health regulations¹⁰. Relocation often simply moves the problem and can spread disease.

The Professional Wildlife Removal Process

For most homeowners, hiring a professional Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) is the safest, most effective, and legally compliant path. Here's what a professional service typically involves:

1. Inspection and Assessment: A trained technician will inspect your property to identify the animal species, locate all entry points, and assess the extent of the infestation and damage.
2. Humane Removal: Using specialized techniques and tools, the professional will remove the animals. For protected species like bats, this involves exclusion devices that allow animals to leave but not re-enter, timed outside of restricted seasons⁶.
3. Clean-up and Sanitation: This critical step involves removing contaminated insulation, droppings (guano), and urine. Professionals use industrial-grade cleaners and disinfectants to eliminate health hazards and odors.
4. Exclusion and Repair: Simply removing the animal isn't enough. A quality service will seal all potential entry points with durable materials like steel mesh or hardware cloth to prevent future invasions.
5. Restoration: Many companies can also repair damage caused by the wildlife, such as replacing chewed wires, torn insulation, or damaged soffits and vents.

Who to Contact for Help

Knowing which agency or professional to call can save time and ensure the problem is handled correctly.

• For Immediate Public Safety Threats: If a wild animal is acting aggressively, is visibly sick, or poses an immediate danger, contact Miami-Dade County Animal Services at (305) 884-1101. While they primarily handle domestic animals, they may assist in public safety matters involving wildlife^{11 12}.
• For Regulatory Guidance and Protected Species: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is the ultimate authority. Contact their Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922 for questions about regulations, encounters with protected species (bears, panthers, alligators), or complex situations^{5 13}.
• Hiring a Professional Trapper: The FWC maintains a directory of registered Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators¹⁴. These licensed professionals have the expertise, insurance, and specific permits (required for rodents like rats and mice) to handle removal legally and effectively^{2 4}.

Cost of Wildlife Removal in Coral Gables

The price for professional animal control services varies based on the species, the infestation's size, the job's complexity, and the extent of repairs needed^{3 15}. Most homeowners can expect a total cost between $191 and $612, though complex cases cost more³.

• Raccoon Removal: Typically ranges from $300 to $600+, with additional costs for attic restoration and sanitization^{3 16}.
• Bat Removal: Often one of the more expensive services due to legal protections and cleanup requirements, ranging from $500 to $1,500+^{15 17}.
• Squirrel Removal: Generally costs between $200 and $600, plus repairs for entry points and damage³.
• Opossum Removal: Usually falls between $250 and $500¹⁵.
• Dead Animal Removal: Removing a carcass from an attic, wall, or yard typically costs $150 to $250+, depending on accessibility¹⁸.

The good news is that many reputable wildlife removal companies in the Coral Gables area offer free estimates^{19 20}. You can often get a specific price quote over the phone after describing your situation.

Prevention: Keeping Wildlife Out

The best strategy is to make your property less attractive to wildlife in the first place. The FWC and experts strongly encourage preventative measures^{5 21}:

• Secure Food Sources: Use trash cans with tight-fitting, locking lids. Never leave pet food outdoors overnight.
• Eliminate Shelter: Keep yards tidy by removing brush piles, sealing off crawl spaces, and capping chimneys with appropriate covers.
• Perform Regular Maintenance: Inspect your roofline, soffits, and vents annually for gaps or damage. Repair loose siding or roof shingles promptly.
• Manage Landscaping: Trim tree branches back at least 6-8 feet from your roof to eliminate animal highways.

Frequently asked questions

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