Top Wildlife Removal in Wellington, Florida Ranked

Finding an unexpected animal in your attic, under your porch, or burrowing through your yard can be unsettling and destructive. In Wellington, Florida, managing encounters with local and invasive wildlife is a common concern for homeowners. This guide provides essential information on identifying problem species, understanding your legal options for animal control, and connecting with professional trappers who can safely and legally resolve conflicts. Whether you're dealing with a raccoon family in the chimney or an iguana damaging your landscaping, knowing the proper steps can protect your property and ensure humane treatment of wildlife.

Hoffer Pest Solutions

12329 NW 35th St, Coral Springs, FL 33065

Hoffer Pest Solutions is a pest control company based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, serving Broward County including Coral Springs and nearby areas. They offer comprehensive pest management services for ants, cockroaches, termites, rodents, wildlife, bed bugs, and mosquitoes. Their termite treatments include liquid pesticide applications, perimeter bait stations, and the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System. Established in 1975, Hoffer Pest Solutions brings over 40 years of experience to pest and wildlife removal. They provide same-day service when contacted before noon and back their work with satisfaction guarantees.

4.9

1.5k Reviews

Pro Pest Control, Inc.

1441 Banks Rd, Margate, FL 33063

Pro Pest Control, Inc. is a family-owned pest control company serving Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the surrounding South Florida counties of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach. They provide residential and commercial pest management services including ant, termite, rodent, mosquito, and wildlife control. Their offerings include integrated pest management, attic dusting, and specialized treatments like arbor jet and fertilization services tailored to the local environment. With over 25 years of experience, Pro Pest Control, Inc. combines pest control with lawn fertilization to support healthy property maintenance.

4.9

654 Reviews

Iguana Control

2617 NW 17th Ln, Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Iguana Control is a wildlife removal company based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, specializing in managing iguana infestations. They offer services that include property surveying to identify iguana nests and burrows, installation of control products, and humane removal of iguanas. Their approach focuses on preventing damage to landscapes and structures caused by iguana burrowing and feeding. Iguana Control is licensed and certified to handle iguana control in the Fort Lauderdale area and uses effective, tested methods rather than common repellents.

4.9

240 Reviews

Orkin

1700 Banks Rd Suite 100, Margate, FL 33063

Orkin provides residential and commercial pest control services in Fort Lauderdale, FL. With over 120 years of experience, they manage a wide range of pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, and wildlife. Their termite control includes inspections and treatments such as dry foam void filler, Sentricon® bait, and liquid barriers. Orkin offers 24/7 availability for urgent pest control needs and applies a seasonal pest control approach tailored to local pest activity throughout the year.

4.8

2.4k Reviews

Radix Pest Solutions

1940 NW 1st Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Radix Pest Solutions is a pest control company based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, offering services including rodent control, termite inspections, wildlife removal, and commercial pest management. They provide solutions for both residential and commercial properties, with a noted capability in handling raccoon removal through cage trapping. The company has been serving the area for over seven years, building a reputation for detailed and reliable pest control services.

4.9

112 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Wellington

Wellington's mix of suburban landscapes, preserved natural areas, and proximity to the Everglades creates a unique habitat where human and animal territories frequently overlap. Understanding which creatures are most likely to become a problem is the first step in effective wildlife management.

Mammals: From Raccoons to Coyotes

Several native mammals are frequent culprits for nuisance complaints in residential areas:

• Raccoons and Opossums: These clever climbers often seek shelter in attics, soffits, and under decks or porches. They can create significant contamination with their droppings and pose a fire hazard by chewing on electrical wires. ^{1 2}
• Armadillos: Known for their prolific digging, armadillos can tear up lawns, gardens, and landscaping overnight in search of insects. Their burrowing can also undermine building foundations, sidewalks, and pool decks. ^{1 3}
• Coyotes and Black Bears: While less common within dense neighborhoods, these larger predators are present in the region. They are typically drawn into yards by unsecured garbage, pet food left outdoors, or small, unattended pets. Their presence raises valid concerns for pet and public safety. ^{3 4}

Invasive and Protected Species

South Florida's climate allows non-native species to thrive, and state law protects certain native animals:

• Green Iguanas: A prevalent invasive reptile in South Florida, iguanas consume ornamental plants, flowers, and vegetables. They can also damage infrastructure by burrowing under seawalls and leaving droppings on pool decks and docks. ^{3 2}
• Alligators: A natural resident of Florida's many canals and ponds, alligators become a nuisance when they are over 4 feet long and show a loss of fear of people, often due to being fed. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) manages these specific threats. ^{5 6}
• Bats and Bobcats: These species are protected under Florida law. Bats have a restricted removal season (April 15 to August 15) to protect maternity colonies, and bobcats, if trapped, must be released on-site. ^{7 8 9}

Legal Framework for Wildlife Control in Florida

Before taking action, it's crucial to understand the regulations set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Florida law allows property owners to remove nuisance wildlife that is causing property damage, posing a threat to human safety or health, or causing an annoyance within a dwelling. ¹⁰

Key Legal Guidelines:

• Removal Methods: Live traps or snares may be used during daylight hours and must be checked at least once every 24 hours. ¹⁰
• Disposition of Animals: The rules differ for native and non-native species.
  • Native Animals (e.g., raccoons, opossums): Captured animals must be humanely euthanized or released on the same property where they were captured (with the property owner's permission). Relocating them to another site requires written permission from the landowner for a minimum of 40 contiguous acres within the same county. ¹⁰
  • Non-Native/Invasive Species (e.g., iguanas, Muscovy ducks): These animals cannot be transported and released. They may only be transported for the purpose of euthanasia. ¹⁰
• Prevention is Required: Simply removing an animal is often not enough. Property owners are expected to take steps to prevent future conflicts, such as securing garbage in wildlife-proof containers and not leaving pet food outdoors. ⁴

Your Options for Managing Wildlife Issues

When facing a wildlife problem, you generally have three avenues: handling it yourself, contacting local authorities, or hiring a professional.

1. Do-It-Yourself Removal & Prevention

For minor issues, proactive measures can be effective:

• Exclusion: Seal potential entry points to your home's attic, crawl spaces, and under structures with sturdy materials like hardware cloth or steel wool.
• Habitat Modification: Remove attractants like fallen fruit, unsecured trash, and outdoor pet food. Trim tree branches away from your roofline.
• Live Trapping: If you choose to trap, you must follow FWC guidelines for trap type, checking frequency, and legal disposal of the animal, as outlined above. ¹⁰

2. Contacting Local and State Authorities

• Wellington Animal Control: This department handles general animal complaints, including those about wildlife. They can provide guidance and, in some cases, require an affidavit to initiate a nuisance investigation. It's important to note that Wellington Animal Control does not remove live wild animals. ^{11 12}
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): The FWC is the primary resource for wildlife laws. You can contact their Nuisance Wildlife Hotline at 888-404-3922 for guidance. For immediate threats from alligators over 4 feet long, contact the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). ^{5 13 14}

3. Hiring a Professional Wildlife Control Operator

For complex, dangerous, or persistent problems, hiring a professional is often the safest and most efficient solution. In Florida, these professionals are registered as Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs) with the FWC. ¹³

Benefits of hiring an NWCO:

• Expertise & Safety: They are trained in safe handling, species identification, and humane removal techniques.
• Legal Compliance: They understand and adhere to all state and local regulations regarding trapping, relocation, and euthanasia.
• Complete Solutions: Professionals don't just remove the animal; they find and seal entry points and can perform repair work to prevent re-entry.
• Insurance: Reputable operators carry liability insurance for the work performed on your property.

Understanding Costs for Professional Wildlife Services

The cost for professional animal removal in Wellington varies based on the species, the extent of the infestation, the complexity of the removal, and any necessary repairs or exclusion work. ^{1 15 16 17 18} Most companies charge an initial inspection or service call fee, followed by costs for trapping, removal, and exclusion.

Here are some estimated price ranges for common services, though fees are set by individual NWCOs: ^{13 19}

• Initial Inspection: $75 - $150+
• Raccoon or Opossum Removal: $150 - $500 per animal, plus costs for repair and exclusion work.
• Armadillo Trapping: $200 - $400 for trapping and removal.
• Bat Exclusion: $300 - $1,000+, depending on the size of the colony and the complexity of sealing all entry points.
• Snake Removal: $100 - $300 per service call.

Always request a detailed, written estimate before work begins. A thorough inspection should identify the species, entry points, and the full scope of work needed for removal and prevention.

Preventative Measures for a Wildlife-Resistant Property

Long-term prevention is more effective and less costly than repeated removal. Implement these strategies to make your Wellington property less attractive to nuisance wildlife:

• Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on garbage and recycling bins. Feed pets indoors and never leave food bowls outside overnight. Clean barbecue grills after use.
• Eliminate Shelter: Keep yards tidy by clearing brush piles, sealing off crawl spaces under sheds and porches, and storing firewood off the ground and away from your home.
• Fortify Your Home: Install chimney caps, repair damaged roof vents and soffits, and cover attic vents with wildlife-proof screening. Ensure basement and garage doors seal tightly.
• Manage Landscaping: Trim tree limbs back at least 6-10 feet from your roof. Pick up fallen fruit from trees promptly. Consider using gravel borders or underground fencing to deter burrowing animals like armadillos.

By combining knowledge of local wildlife, an understanding of Florida's regulations, and proactive property management, Wellington residents can effectively and responsibly coexist with their wild neighbors.

Frequently asked questions

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