Top Wildlife Removal in Pensacola, Florida Ranked

Dealing with an uninvited animal in your attic, under your deck, or burrowing in your yard can be stressful and potentially hazardous. Wildlife removal is the specialized service of safely and legally addressing conflicts with nuisance animals on your property. In Pensacola, this is particularly important due to our diverse local ecosystem and specific state regulations. This guide explains the common wildlife issues homeowners face, outlines Florida's rules, and helps you understand when and how to find qualified local professionals to resolve these situations effectively.

Terminix

715 Cardinal circle Suite A-D, Summerdale, AL 36580

Terminix is a pest control company serving Mobile, AL, specializing in the management of various pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, termites, bees, wasps, and wildlife. The team understands local pest challenges and offers tailored solutions to protect homes from seasonal and persistent infestations. Their termite control services focus on preventing structural damage, while rodent control includes property inspections and customized plans to keep wildlife away.

4.8

115 Reviews

Xceptional Wildlife Removal

715 Cardinal circle, Summerdale, AL 36580

Xceptional Wildlife Removal is a pest and wildlife control company serving Mobile, AL, and multiple other states including Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Maryland, and Illinois. Established in 1986, the company offers year-round pest management services for both residential and commercial properties. Their services include wildlife removal, pest exclusion, and customized pest control plans designed to protect homes and businesses from nuisance animals and pests. With over 50 years of combined experience, their licensed technicians use innovative technology and safe treatment methods to manage and prevent infestations effectively.

5.0

4 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Pensacola

The Pensacola area is home to a wide variety of animals that can become problematic when they seek food, water, or shelter in our homes and yards. Understanding which creatures are most likely to cause issues is the first step.

Raccoons are intelligent, dexterous, and common invaders. They frequently raid garbage cans and can tear their way into attics or crawl spaces to create dens. As known carriers of rabies, they pose a direct health risk ¹. Squirrels, while often seen as cute, can cause significant damage by chewing on electrical wiring, siding, and soffits, creating fire hazards and costly repairs ².

Bats are a protected species in Florida and often roost in attics, eaves, or behind shutters. Their guano (droppings) can accumulate, posing a serious risk of histoplasmosis, a respiratory disease, and its odor can permeate a living space ^{1 3}. Opossums are scavengers that may take up residence under porches or in crawl spaces; if one dies in a wall void, the resulting odor can be severe and persistent ⁴.

Armadillos are notorious for their digging. Their burrowing can undermine slabs, foundations, and destroy lawns and gardens overnight ⁵. Snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, may enter structures seeking prey like rodents or simply a cool, dark place to shelter ⁶.

Rodents, including roof rats and house mice, are prolific breeders. A small problem can become a full-blown infestation quickly, with contamination and gnawing damage throughout a home ⁷. Finally, wild hogs are a non-native, invasive species that can be highly destructive to landscaping, irrigation systems, and property through their rooting behavior ⁷.

Florida Regulations for Nuisance Wildlife Control

In Florida, wildlife is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The state allows property owners to address nuisance animals on their own property, but with important restrictions designed to protect both people and wildlife ⁸.

The FWC strongly emphasizes prevention as the first line of defense. This includes securing trash in wildlife-proof containers, removing pet food, and sealing potential entry points into structures ⁹. If removal is necessary, homeowners must follow specific rules. Live traps must be checked at least once every 24 hours ¹⁰. It is illegal to poison or drown animals ¹¹.

For native wildlife caught alive, the law requires they be either humanely euthanized or released on the same property where they were captured within 24 hours. Relocating native animals off your property is highly restricted and often illegal, as it can spread disease and disrupt ecosystems ^{12 13}. Notably, bobcats cannot be euthanized by a homeowner for nuisance reasons ¹⁴. Non-native species, like wild hogs, cannot be relocated at all except for euthanasia ¹⁴.

While a license isn't typically required for a homeowner to trap common nuisance species on their own property, special permits or professional licenses are needed for certain methods, protected species, or commercial activities ^{11 14}.

When to Call a Professional vs. Animal Control

Knowing who to contact saves time and ensures the situation is handled correctly and legally.

Contact Escambia County Animal Control or the FWC directly if:

• You encounter an injured, aggressive, or potentially rabid animal.
• The issue involves a domestic stray dog or cat.
• You have a nuisance alligator (call the FWC's Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program at 1-866-392-4286) ¹⁵.

A licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) is required for:

• Any protected species, including bats, bears, and certain birds of prey.
• You can find a state-licensed NWCO using the FWC's official online directory ¹⁶.

A professional wildlife removal service is highly recommended for:

• Animals inside structures: This includes animals in attics, walls, chimneys, or under floors. Removal often requires specialized tools and knowledge of building construction.
• Persistent or complex infestations: If you have a recurring problem or evidence of multiple animals.
• When exclusion and repair are needed: Simply removing the animal is rarely a permanent solution. Professionals can identify and seal entry points and perform necessary cleanup.

The Professional Wildlife Removal Process

A reputable wildlife control service follows a multi-step process to ensure the problem is solved completely and humanely.

1. Inspection and Assessment: A technician will perform a thorough inspection of your property to identify the animal species, locate entry points, and assess the extent of the damage and contamination. This step almost always involves a fee, which is typically applied toward the total service cost if you proceed ¹⁷.
2. Humane Removal and Trapping: Using methods compliant with FWC regulations, the professional will remove the animals. This may involve live trapping, one-way exclusion doors, or hands-on extraction, depending on the species and situation.
3. Cleanup and Sanitation: After removal, the affected area must be cleaned. This includes removing nesting materials, droppings, and urine. For pests like bats or rodents, this is a critical health and safety step that may involve disinfecting and deodorizing ³.
4. Exclusion and Repair: This is the most important step for preventing recurrence. The service will seal all identified entry points with durable, wildlife-proof materials like steel mesh, hardware cloth, or chimney caps.
5. Restoration: Some companies offer or can recommend repair services for damage caused by the wildlife, such as chewed wires, torn insulation, or damaged ductwork.

Understanding Costs for Animal Removal in Pensacola

The cost for professional wildlife control in Pensacola is highly variable and depends on several key factors:

• The type of animal: Removal and exclusion for raccoons or bats is generally more involved and costly than for a single opossum.
• The location and accessibility: An animal in an easy-to-reach crawl space is less expensive to remove than one deep in a wall void or high in an attic.
• The extent of the infestation: A single animal versus a mother with young.
• The amount of damage and needed repairs: The scope of required cleanup, decontamination, and exclusion work significantly impacts the final price.

Most companies provide a free or low-cost inspection to give a detailed quote. Total costs typically bundle removal, cleanup, and exclusion. For comprehensive services addressing a significant infestation, prices can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars ^{18 19 20}. It is always advisable to get detailed quotes from multiple licensed local providers.

Prevention: Your First Line of Defense

Taking proactive steps can prevent most wildlife conflicts before they start.

• Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on garbage cans, feed pets indoors, and clean barbecue grills.
• Eliminate Shelter: Keep yards tidy, trim tree branches away from the roof (at least 6-8 feet), and seal off openings under decks, porches, and sheds.
• Fortify Your Home: Install chimney caps, cover attic vents with steel mesh, and repair damaged siding, roof soffits, or fascia boards.
• Manage Landscaping: Reduce dense ground cover near the home's foundation and consider fencing to deter larger animals like armadillos and hogs.

Frequently asked questions

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