Top Wildlife Removal in Ankeny, Iowa Ranked

Living alongside nature is part of Ankeny's charm, but when wild animals like raccoons, skunks, or bats decide to move into your attic, garage, or garden, they become a nuisance and a potential hazard. Professional wildlife removal is the safe, legal, and humane process of evicting these unwanted guests and securing your property against future invasions. This guide explains the common wildlife issues in Ankeny, outlines your options from do-it-yourself prevention to hiring a specialist, and provides the local resources you need to resolve conflicts responsibly and effectively.

Pro-Staff Termite & Pest Control of The Midwest, LLC

3601 Douglas Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310

Pro-Staff Termite & Pest Control of The Midwest, LLC provides pest control services in Des Moines, IA, serving both residential and commercial clients. Their offerings include termite inspection, bed bug treatment, mosquito control, bat removal, and general pest management. Established in 1995, Pro-Staff has over 24 years of experience in the industry. They focus on proactive pest inspection and tailored treatment plans to help protect homes and businesses from various pests.

4.9

381 Reviews

Genuine Pest Control

3905 SE Grimes Blvd suite m, Grimes, IA 50111

Genuine Pest Control is a pest control and wildlife removal company serving Des Moines, IA. Founded in 2014, they handle a variety of pests including raccoons, bats, birds, rodents, and bugs. Their services include humane trapping and removal, damage repair, and pest prevention through sealing entry points and installing pest barriers. They also provide advice on sanitation and habitat modifications to help prevent future infestations.

5.0

69 Reviews

Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions

12340 Tanglewood Dr, Urbandale, IA 50323

Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions provides pest and wildlife control services in Des Moines, IA. They handle a variety of issues including rodent control, bird and bat removal, and humane wildlife relocation for both residential and commercial properties. Their team uses modern techniques such as roof-mounted traps and motion-activated cameras to safely manage pests like raccoons, squirrels, woodchucks, and bats, focusing on humane and environmentally conscious methods. With over 25 years of experience, the family-owned company offers customized service plans and is committed to environmentally friendly practices, including the use of electric vehicles powered by solar energy.

5.0

56 Reviews

Presto-X Pest Control

1320 NE 60th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313

Presto-X Pest Control offers pest control services in Des Moines, IA, specializing in the removal and management of common local pests such as cockroaches, termites, ants, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, and wildlife. Their technicians provide targeted treatments based on seasonal pest activity and trends specific to the Des Moines area. The company conducts termite inspections and treatments to address hidden damage, locates and treats ant nests, and applies mosquito control measures to reduce populations around properties. They also safely remove bees and wasps, focusing on nests near outdoor structures.

4.8

128 Reviews

TRapper's Wildlife Control, LLC

3626 NW Trestle Point Dr, Ankeny, IA 50023

TRapper's Wildlife Control, LLC is a wildlife removal company based in Des Moines, IA, specializing in bird and bat control. They serve a wide area within 60 miles of Des Moines, including many surrounding cities and counties in central Iowa. Their services include humane bat removal and sealing of structures, as well as bird control for species like pigeons, starlings, sparrows, and swallows, addressing issues such as nesting and droppings. TRapper's Wildlife Control also offers bird removal from vents and provides bat removal services statewide in Iowa.

4.9

47 Reviews

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Common Wildlife Intruders in Ankeny

Ankeny's mix of suburban neighborhoods, green spaces, and nearby agricultural land creates an ideal habitat for a variety of mammals. Understanding which animals are most likely to cause problems is the first step.

• Raccoons: These intelligent, dexterous animals are frequent culprits. They raid garbage cans, tear up lawns searching for grubs, and can cause significant damage by ripping open roof vents or soffits to gain access to warm, dry attics for denning ^{1 2}.
• Skunks & Groundhogs (Woodchucks): These burrowing animals can undermine sheds, decks, and foundations. Skunks also pose a notorious threat to pets, while groundhogs can decimate vegetable gardens overnight ^{3 4}.
• Bats: While ecologically important, a colony of bats in an attic or wall void creates serious health concerns due to the accumulation of guano (droppings), which can harbor histoplasmosis spores. Their entry holes are often very small ⁵.
• Squirrels: Both tree and flying squirrels chew on wood, electrical wiring (a fire hazard), and insulation to enter and nest in attics and eaves ².
• Coyotes & Opossums: Coyotes are increasingly seen in urban areas and can threaten small pets. Opossums, generally less destructive, may still rummage through trash and take up residence under porches ^{3 6}.

Why Professional Animal Control is Often Necessary

While some minor issues can be handled independently, there are compelling reasons to consider a professional nuisance wildlife control operator (NWCO).

• Health and Safety Risks: Many wild animals carry diseases transmissible to humans and pets, including rabies, leptospirosis, and parasites. Their droppings can contaminate insulation and air quality ⁵. Professionals have the training and protective equipment to handle these biohazards safely.
• Property Damage Prevention: An animal trapped inside a wall or attic will frantically chew its way out, often causing more damage than its initial entry. Experts know how to locate and remove animals without escalating property destruction.
• Legal and Humane Compliance: Iowa has specific regulations governing the trapping and relocation of wildlife ^{1 7}. Licensed NWCOs understand these laws, including which species can be taken out of season and the proper methods for humane euthanasia or relocation, ensuring you don't inadvertently break the law.
• Effective Exclusion: Removal is only half the battle. The most critical step is exclusion-permanently sealing all potential entry points. Professionals identify vulnerabilities homeowners might miss and use durable materials to prevent re-entry ⁸.

Your Options for Managing Nuisance Wildlife

1. Do-It-Yourself Prevention and Deterrence

For minor problems or as a proactive measure, homeowners can take several effective steps. The goal is to make your property less attractive to wildlife.

• Habitat Modification: This is the most effective long-term strategy. Secure garbage cans with locking lids or bungee cords, remove fallen fruit, and clean up brush piles or woodpiles where animals can hide ⁴. Consider taking down bird feeders temporarily if they are attracting squirrels or raccoons.
• Exclusion: Seal potential entry points before animals get in. Use heavy-duty materials like hardware cloth, sheet metal, or concrete to cover holes in foundations, seal gaps under decks, and repair damaged roof components. Ensure chicken coops and pet enclosures are securely built ^{3 8}.
• Frightening Devices and Repellents: Motion-activated lights, sprinklers, or radios can sometimes deter animals. Commercial repellents may offer short-term solutions for garden pests, but their effectiveness varies widely ⁴.

Important Note: Iowa law allows landowners to take certain nuisance animals-including coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and groundhogs-out of season without prior permission from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ⁶. However, this typically refers to lethal control and does not cover trapping and relocating live animals, which has its own strict regulations.

2. Hiring a Licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO)

For active infestations, especially in living spaces like attics, or for animals like bats, professional help is strongly recommended.

• What They Do: A licensed NWCO will conduct a thorough inspection, humanely trap and remove the animal, clean and disinfect contaminated areas (often an add-on service), and implement comprehensive exclusion repairs to prevent future problems ^{1 9}.
• How to Find One: Look for operators licensed by the Iowa DNR. You can search for local providers like Polk County Wildlife Control or other established animal control services in the area ^{1 9}. Always verify licensing and insurance.
• Cost Considerations: The price for wildlife removal in Ankeny varies based on the animal, the extent of the infestation, and the services required. For example, removing a raccoon family from an attic, including trapping, sealing entry points, and a basic clean-up, can range from $300 to $450. Bat removal and exclusion for a colony is more complex and can range from $250 for a small job to $1,500 or more for a large colony requiring full exclusion and decontamination ^{10 11}.

3. Contacting Other Local Agencies

Knowing which agency to call saves time and ensures the problem is directed correctly.

• For Domestic Animals or Stray Livestock: Contact the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL). The City of Ankeny does not have separate animal control officers for wildlife, so domestic animal issues fall under the ARL's purview ¹².
• For Threatened or Endangered Species: If you suspect the animal is a protected species (e.g., certain bats), you must contact an Iowa DNR State Conservation Officer for guidance ^{1 7}.
• For General Guidance: The Iowa DNR's Nuisance Wildlife Control Program website is an excellent resource for understanding laws, best practices, and finding licensed operators ¹.

The Professional Removal Process: What to Expect

When you hire a professional for animal control in Ankeny, a standard process typically unfolds:

1. Inspection and Assessment: The specialist will inspect your property inside and out to identify the species, entry points, damage, and the scope of the infestation.
2. Customized Plan and Quote: They will present a plan for removal, exclusion, and any clean-up, along with a detailed cost estimate.
3. Humane Removal: Using live traps, one-way exclusion doors, or other DNR-approved methods, the animals are removed from the structure.
4. Exclusion and Repair: This is the most critical step. All identified entry points are permanently sealed with professional-grade materials.
5. Clean-up and Deodorization (Optional): Services may include removing contaminated insulation, sanitizing the area, and applying enzymatic cleaners to eliminate odors that might attract new animals.
6. Follow-up: Reputable companies often include a warranty period on their exclusion work to ensure the problem is fully resolved.

Protecting Your Property Long-Term

After any wildlife issue is resolved, ongoing vigilance is key. Continue practicing good habitat modification: keep trees trimmed back from your roofline, store firewood away from your home's exterior, and ensure crawlspace vents are intact. Periodically inspect your home's exterior, especially after severe weather, for any new gaps or potential entry points. By making your property less inviting, you can peacefully coexist with Ankeny's wildlife while keeping them where they belong-outdoors.

Frequently asked questions

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