Top Wildlife Removal in Oakland Park, Florida Ranked

Living in Oakland Park means enjoying Florida's beautiful natural environment, but sometimes that wildlife gets a little too close for comfort. Wildlife removal is the professional service of safely and legally managing animals that have become a nuisance by entering homes, damaging property, or posing health risks. This matters because handling wildlife improperly can be dangerous and is often against state law. Here, you can find local experts who understand the specific challenges of South Florida's ecosystem and can provide effective, humane solutions for your property.

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

See more providers in Oakland Park, FL

Common Nuisance Wildlife in Oakland Park

Oakland Park's unique location and climate make it a hotspot for a variety of animals that can become problematic for homeowners and businesses. Understanding which creatures are most likely to cause issues is the first step in addressing an infestation.

Raccoons are perhaps the most notorious culprits. These intelligent, dexterous animals are known for tearing into attics, ripping up insulation for nesting, and raiding garbage cans. Beyond the property damage, they are significant carriers of diseases, including rabies, making their removal a serious health concern ^{1 2}.

Rodents, including rats and mice, are prolific breeders that can infiltrate structures through incredibly small openings. Once inside, they chew on electrical wiring (a fire hazard), contaminate food, and leave droppings that can spread hantavirus and other pathogens ^{1 2}.

Bats are environmentally beneficial but problematic when they form colonies in attics or wall voids. Their guano (droppings) accumulates quickly and poses a serious risk of histoplasmosis, a respiratory disease, when spores are inhaled during cleanup ^{2 3}.

Opossums often take shelter under decks, porches, or sheds. While they eat ticks and other pests, they can also forage in garbage, carry fleas, and create a mess ^{1 2}.

Armadillos are a uniquely Florida problem, known for their destructive digging. They root through lawns and gardens in search of insects, creating unsightly holes and potentially damaging landscaping or even building foundations ^{2 4}.

Non-Native Species: South Florida faces significant issues with invasive animals. Iguanas damage gardens, landscaping, and even seawalls with their burrowing. Muscovy Ducks, while common, can reach high population densities, with their feces creating health hazards and degrading local water quality ^{3 5 4}.

Florida Laws and Regulations for Animal Control

Dealing with nuisance wildlife in Florida is not a free-for-all; it's carefully regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). These rules are designed to protect both people and wildlife. Property owners are legally allowed to remove wildlife that is causing damage, posing a public safety threat, or being a nuisance on their property ¹. However, how you do it is critical.

Trapping Regulations: Live traps or snares may be used, but they must be checked at least every 24 hours. The use of steel traps or firearms, especially at night for certain species, requires specific permits from the FWC ^{6 1}.

The Critical Rule on Relocation: This is one of the most important and misunderstood laws. Native wildlife that is live-captured must be euthanized humanely or released on the same contiguous property where it was caught. If relocation is desired, the animal can only be transported and released on a property of at least 40 contiguous acres within the same county, and you must have the written permission of the landowner ^{1 7}. It is illegal to simply drive an animal to a park or wooded area and release it.

Rules for Non-Native Species: Invasive species like iguanas and Muscovy ducks fall under different rules. These animals cannot be released back into the wild and must be humanely euthanized ¹.

Special Case: Wild Hogs: On private property with the landowner's permission, wild hogs may be trapped or hunted year-round without a hunting license or permit, due to their invasive status and destructive nature ⁸.

Prevention: Your First Line of Defense

The most effective and cost-efficient strategy for wildlife control is to make your property less attractive to animals in the first place. This process, often called exclusion or proofing, is a cornerstone of any long-term solution.

• Secure Food Sources: Use garbage cans with tight-fitting, locking lids. Never leave pet food outdoors overnight. Keep barbecue grills clean and secure compost bins.
• Eliminate Shelter: Seal off potential entry points to attics, crawlspaces, and sheds. Use heavy-duty materials like hardware cloth or steel wool, as rodents can chew through weaker seals. Install chimney caps and vent covers.
• Manage Landscaping: Trim tree branches back at least 6-10 feet from your roofline to prevent access for squirrels and raccoons. Keep shrubbery trimmed away from the foundation to reduce hiding spots for rodents and snakes.
• Remove Water: Fix leaky faucets and ensure downspouts direct water away from your foundation. Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes, a food source for many animals, can breed.

Professional wildlife removal services always include a thorough inspection to identify these attractants and vulnerabilities as part of their process ^{2 9}.

When and How to Call a Professional Wildlife Control Operator

For many situations, especially those involving animals inside a structure (like an attic or chimney), aggressive behavior, or complex legal requirements, contacting a professional is strongly recommended.

What is an NWCO? A Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) is a private professional licensed and permitted to handle wildlife conflicts. They have the expertise, equipment, and knowledge of state and local laws to resolve issues safely, humanely, and legally. The FWC maintains a directory of voluntarily registered NWCOs that residents can consult ^{10 11 12}.

When to Call a Pro:

• An animal is living inside your home (attic, walls, chimney).
• You are dealing with a species that carries high disease risk (raccoons, bats, rodents).
• The animal is large, aggressive, or you feel unsafe.
• You need entry points sealed permanently to prevent recurrence.
• Cleanup of hazardous waste (like bat guano or rodent droppings) is required.

Important Local Contacts:

• Sick or Injured Wildlife: Contact the Wildlife Care Center at 954-524-4302 ¹³.
• Nuisance Alligators: Call the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program at 866-392-4286 ¹³.
• Immediate Public Safety Threat: For an aggressive animal posing an immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 ^{13 14}.

It's important to note that local Broward County Animal Services typically focuses on domestic animals (dogs, cats) and may direct wildlife calls to residents or private NWCOs ^{13 15}.

Understanding Wildlife Removal Services and Costs

The cost for animal removal in Oakland Park is not a flat fee; it varies significantly based on the species, the extent of the infestation, the location of the animal, and the necessary repairs. Most professionals provide customized solutions and detailed quotes after an inspection ^{2 16 17}.

A typical service involves multiple components, each with associated costs:

1. Inspection & Assessment: Most NWCOs charge an initial fee to visit the property, identify the species, locate entry points, and assess the damage.
2. Trapping & Removal: This is often a per-animal or per-trap fee. The complexity varies-removing a squirrel from a gutter is different from extracting a raccoon family from an insulated attic.
3. Exclusion Work: This is the permanent solution. Costs depend on the labor and materials needed to seal all identified entry points, such as installing chimney caps, repairing roof vents, or reinforcing soffits ^{2 17}.
4. Cleanup & Sanitation: This can be a major part of the job, especially with bats or rodents. Removing contaminated insulation, cleaning and disinfecting droppings (guano), and deodorizing the area to prevent re-entry by other animals adds to the total cost ^{3 18}.
5. Repairs: Restoring damage, such as replacing chewed wires, torn ductwork, or soiled insulation, is often handled by the NWCO or a partnered contractor.

Due to these variables, it's essential to get a detailed, written estimate that breaks down all anticipated costs for trapping, exclusion, and cleanup before work begins ^{19 20}.

Choosing the Right Wildlife Removal Service

Selecting a qualified professional is crucial for a safe, effective, and legal resolution. Here are key factors to consider:

• Licensing & Insurance: Ensure the company is properly licensed and carries liability insurance. Ask for proof.
• Experience with Local Wildlife: Choose a provider familiar with the specific habits and laws related to South Florida species.
• Detailed Inspection & Quote: A reputable operator will perform a thorough inspection before providing a written, detailed quote-not a generic price over the phone.
• Methods & Guarantees: Ask about their removal and exclusion methods. Do they offer any warranty on their exclusion work to prevent re-entry?
• References & Reviews: Check online reviews and ask for references from past clients in the Oakland Park area.

By taking a proactive approach to prevention and partnering with a knowledgeable professional when needed, you can effectively manage wildlife conflicts and protect your Oakland Park home.

Frequently asked questions

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