Top Wildlife Removal in Lombard, Illinois Ranked

Discovering a wild animal in your attic, under your deck, or rummaging through your trash can be a startling experience. Wildlife removal is the professional service dedicated to safely and legally resolving conflicts between humans and wild animals on private property. In Lombard, this is especially important due to Illinois' strict wildlife protection laws and the variety of urban-adapted species that call DuPage County home. This guide will help you understand your options, from do-it-yourself exclusion to hiring a licensed professional, so you can protect your home and family effectively.

D&K Pest Control and Wildlife Removal, LLC

chicago

D&K Pest Control and Wildlife Removal, LLC is a pest control and wildlife removal company serving Chicago, IL, and the western Chicago suburbs. They provide services for both residential and commercial properties, including pest inspections, one-time treatments, quarterly pest control plans, and custom wildlife exclusion solutions. Their work covers rodents, raccoons, squirrels, bats, birds, and common household pests. The company also offers structural repairs and long-term exclusion to prevent future infestations, combining pest removal with prevention efforts.

5.0

349 Reviews

Landmark Pest Management

chicago

Landmark Pest Management provides science-based, environmentally-friendly pest control services in Chicago, IL, and surrounding counties. They handle a wide range of pests including ants, wasps, mice, mosquitoes, bed bugs, and wildlife, using humane and green methods. Founded in 1976 by a wildlife biologist, the company combines expertise from biologists and epidemiologists to deliver effective pest exclusion and control. Landmark offers a Complete Home Care program with year-round protection and 24/7 monitoring to maintain pest-free homes.

5.0

332 Reviews

Effective Pest Solutions

chicago

Effective Pest Solutions provides comprehensive pest control services in Chicago, IL, serving both residential and commercial clients. Their offerings include treatment for bed bugs, ants, cockroaches, rodents, termites, and wildlife removal, with customized solutions for unique pest challenges. The company also supports institutions like schools and restaurants with pest management programs that comply with regulatory standards. They specialize in rodent control using trapping, monitoring, exclusion, and sanitation, and offer termite inspections and prevention plans to protect property integrity.

5.0

154 Reviews

Aerex Pest Control

4301 E Wilmette Ave, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Aerex Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company serving Chicago, IL, and the Greater Chicagoland Area since 1948. They provide a wide range of pest management services including bed bug treatment, rodent control, termite inspections, mosquito control, and wildlife removal. With over 70 years of experience, Aerex Pest Control uses environmentally friendly methods and safe products approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to address both common and seasonal pests unique to the Chicago area. Their knowledgeable technicians apply targeted solutions that focus on long-term prevention and sustainability.

4.9

2.3k Reviews

Rose Pest Solutions

270 Larkin Dr Suite A, Wheeling, IL 60090

Rose Pest Solutions is a pest control company serving Chicago, IL, and the Midwest. They provide comprehensive pest management services for homes and businesses, including cockroach, ant, rodent, termite, bee and wasp removal, and wildlife control. The company uses environmentally friendly methods and advanced technology to create long-term pest solutions. Established in 1860, Rose Pest Solutions has over 165 years of experience in pest control. They offer year-round protection plans with multiple visits and emphasize sustainable practices to protect both customers and the environment.

4.9

961 Reviews

See more providers in Lombard, IL

Understanding Lombard's Wildlife Landscape

Lombard's mix of residential neighborhoods, parks, and proximity to waterways creates an ideal habitat for many species. While seeing wildlife can be enjoyable from a distance, problems arise when animals seek food, water, or shelter in our homes and yards. The most common nuisance wildlife in Lombard includes raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, coyotes, foxes, woodchucks, and birds like starlings and pigeons ^{1 2}. Each species presents unique challenges, from raccoons tearing apart roof vents to squirrels chewing electrical wires in attics.

It's crucial to remember that in Illinois, most mammals are protected by law. This means you cannot simply trap or remove an animal like a raccoon or skunk on your own without proper authorization ^{1 3}. The legal framework is designed to ensure humane treatment and is managed through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Understanding this is the first step toward a lawful and effective resolution to your wildlife problem.

What You Can Do Yourself: DIY Exclusion and Prevention

Before calling a professional, there are several effective, legal steps you can take to make your property less inviting to wild animals. This process, known as exclusion, is often the most permanent solution to wildlife conflicts.

• Seal Entry Points: Carefully inspect your home's exterior for gaps, holes, or weak spots. Pay close attention to roof lines, attic vents, soffits, and areas where utilities enter the house. Use sturdy materials like hardware cloth, steel mesh, or wood to seal any openings. Remember, a gap as small as one inch can admit a squirrel or rat ^{3 4}.
• Remove Food Sources: Secure your garbage cans with tight-fitting lids or bungee cords. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight. Pick up fallen fruit from trees and clean up spilled birdseed from feeders, which can attract rodents and larger mammals ^{1 5}.
• Use Repellents: Commercial or homemade repellents can sometimes deter animals from specific areas. These are often most effective for small mammals like rabbits or for protecting garden areas. Their success can be temporary and varies by species.
• For Small Mammals: Actions against mice, rats, moles, and voles generally do not require a state permit ⁴. Standard trapping and exclusion methods are acceptable.
• For Birds: If a bird is trapped inside, you can usually release it outdoors. For persistent nuisance birds like house sparrows, starlings, or pigeons nesting on your property, removal can often be done without a federal permit, though it's best to consult guidelines ⁵.

When to Call the Authorities vs. a Professional

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

Local Authorities (Limited Role): The Lombard Village Police should only be contacted for an immediate threat to public safety, such as a visibly rabid animal acting aggressively or an animal that has attacked a person. They do not provide wildlife removal services ⁶. For residents in unincorporated DuPage County, Animal Services enforces laws but is also not typically a resource for general wildlife removal in Lombard itself ⁷.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR): You should contact the IDNR or apply online if you believe you need a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit (NARP). This permit is required for the trapping of most protected mammals-like raccoons, coyotes, or skunks-but only when they are causing significant property damage or posing a health risk, not merely for being a nuisance ^{8 2 9}. An IDNR biologist can provide guidance on your specific situation.

Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs): For the vast majority of wildlife conflicts in Lombard, hiring a licensed NWCO is the recommended course of action. These are private, licensed professionals skilled in humane trapping, removal, and, most importantly, permanent exclusion to prevent recurrence ^{1 10}. They understand the legal permits required and can handle the entire process safely.

The Professional Wildlife Removal Process

When you hire a professional wildlife control service in Lombard, you're investing in a comprehensive solution. The process typically involves:

1. Inspection and Assessment: A technician will perform a thorough inspection of your property to identify the animal species, locate all entry points, and assess any damage. This initial visit often comes with a fee, typically ranging from $100 to $200 ^{10 11}.
2. Permit Acquisition: If the target animal is a protected species, the NWCO will secure the necessary NARP from the IDNR on your behalf ^{8 2}.
3. Humane Removal: Using specialized traps and techniques, the animal is safely captured and removed from your property.
4. Exclusion and Repair: This is the most critical step. The technician will seal all identified entry points with durable materials and may repair damage caused by the animals, such as torn insulation or chewed wires.
5. Clean-up and Sanitation: For areas like attics or crawl spaces, professionals often offer biohazard cleaning and disinfecting services to remove droppings, urine, and nesting materials, which can pose health risks.

Understanding the Costs of Animal Removal

The cost for wildlife removal and exclusion in Lombard varies significantly based on several factors, including the type of animal, the extent of the infestation, the amount of damage, and the complexity of the exclusion work required ^{12 13}. Here's a general breakdown:

• Basic Removal: For a single animal like a raccoon or squirrel, removal alone might start around $150-$300.
• Full Service with Exclusion: Most jobs require exclusion to be effective. A complete job for a common issue like squirrels in the attic can range from $300 to $600 or more.
• Complex Infestations: Severe problems, such as a large raccoon family with significant attic damage requiring cleanup and repairs, can cost $1,000 or more ^{11 14}.
• Inspection Fees: As noted, most companies charge an initial assessment fee, which is often credited toward the total service cost if you hire them.

Always request a detailed, written estimate that breaks down inspection, removal, exclusion, and repair costs before work begins.

Key Action Steps for Lombard Homeowners

Follow this streamlined guide when facing a wildlife issue:

1. Identify: Safely determine what kind of animal you're dealing with and the scope of the problem (e.g., noises in attic, dug-up lawn).
2. Attempt DIY Exclusion: If safe to do so, seal obvious entry points and remove outdoor attractants like food and water.
3. Call an NWCO (Recommended): For a professional, lasting solution, search for licensed and insured Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators serving Lombard. Read reviews and get multiple quotes ¹⁰.
4. Contact IDNR if Necessary: If you plan to handle a protected species yourself due to property damage, visit the IDNR website to apply for a NARP permit ⁸.
5. Call 911 Only for Emergencies: Reserve this for situations where there is an immediate, direct threat to human safety ⁶.

Frequently asked questions

Sources