Best Wildlife Removal in Kentucky Ranked

Dealing with uninvited wildlife on your property can be stressful and potentially hazardous. In Kentucky, managing nuisance animals involves specific state regulations designed to protect both people and wildlife. This guide explains the legal framework for wildlife control, when you need a professional, and how to find qualified local experts to safely and legally resolve conflicts with raccoons, bats, squirrels, and other common intruders.

Trifecta Wildlife Services

lexington

Trifecta Wildlife Services is a wildlife removal and damage management company based in Lexington, KY. They offer ethical and humane solutions for residential, farm, agricultural, and commercial wildlife issues. Their services include animal trapping, exclusion, damage repair, and wildlife inspections, addressing problems caused by squirrels, raccoons, bats, and other wildlife. The company emphasizes science-based and adaptive approaches, with degreed wildlife biologists on staff to ensure effective and responsible wildlife control. Trifecta Wildlife Services serves Lexington and surrounding counties, providing local, accountable service.

5.0

263 Reviews

Black Diamond Pest Control

4911 Hamburg Pike, Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Black Diamond Pest Control is a full-service pest control company serving Louisville, KY, and the surrounding Kentuckiana region. They provide a wide range of pest management solutions including bed bug treatment, termite control, mosquito prevention, wildlife removal, and bee relocation. Their services include advanced bed bug detection using certified K9 units and termite treatments backed by industry-leading warranties. The company also offers 24/7 emergency wildlife removal to address urgent pest issues promptly. Black Diamond emphasizes eco-conscious practices, such as relocating honey bees to local sanctuaries rather than exterminating them, and provides comprehensive lawn care services to maintain healthy turf. With extensive experience in the region, Black Diamond Pest Control combines specialized pest control capabilities with environmentally responsible methods. Their integrated approach includes identifying pest entry points and securing properties to prevent future infestations, supporting long-term pest management solutions.

4.9

3.9k Reviews

Berner Pest Solutions

lexington

Berner Pest Solutions is a family-owned pest control company based in Lexington, KY. Founded by an Associate Certified Entomologist with over 12 years of experience, the company provides pet-friendly pest management services for homes and businesses. They serve Lexington-Fayette and nearby communities including Winchester, Georgetown, Versailles, Nicholasville, and Richmond. Their services cover a wide range of pests such as ants, spiders, mice, termites, mosquitoes, bed bugs, and wildlife. Berner Pest Solutions emphasizes an Integrated Pest Management approach that focuses on targeted treatments and prevention, including rodent exclusion techniques. Established in 2023, the company offers personalized service without long-term contracts or cancellation fees.

5.0

111 Reviews

Truly Nolen Pest & Termite Control

688 Grot Dr Suite A, Lexington, KY 40505

Truly Nolen Pest & Termite Control is a family-owned pest control company serving Lexington, KY, and the surrounding counties, northern Kentucky, and the greater Cincinnati, OH area. With over 55 years of experience, they offer a wide range of pest management services including insect control, rodent control, termite inspections, wildlife removal, and mosquito control. Their team includes state-certified technicians and a certified entomologist, providing expertise in identifying pest entry points and delivering long-term solutions. They also provide necessary documentation for real estate transactions and offer warranties on all work.

4.9

226 Reviews

Complete Animal Removal

9850 Von Allmen Court Brownsboro Crossing, #201, Louisville, KY 40241

Complete Animal Removal is a wildlife removal company based in Louisville, KY. They specialize in humane trapping and live relocation of various nuisance animals including skunks, raccoons, opossums, rodents, birds, snakes, and more. Their services cover a wide range of wildlife control needs with a focus on humane methods.

4.9

194 Reviews

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Understanding Kentucky's Wildlife Control Laws

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) oversees all nuisance wildlife management in the state ¹. A core principle is that homeowners have the right to address damage caused by wildlife on their own property. However, the methods you can use and the animals you can handle are strictly regulated.

For instance, while you may take action against an animal causing immediate damage, the safe and legal removal and relocation of healthy wildlife typically requires a licensed professional ². Anyone performing animal removal services for payment must hold a valid Commercial Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) permit issued by the KDFWR ³. These operators undergo specific training and must adhere to strict regulations regarding trapping, transport, and humane treatment ⁴.

Protected Species: What You Cannot Remove Yourself

A critical aspect of wildlife management is knowing which species are protected. It is illegal to harm, capture, or remove federally or state-protected species without explicit authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or the KDFWR ¹.

Federally Protected Species in Kentucky include threatened and endangered animals like the Indiana Bat, Gray Bat, and various mussel and fish species such as the Blackside Dace ^{5 6}.

Migratory Birds are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This makes it illegal to kill, harm, or destroy the nests or eggs of most bird species without a federal permit. Common unprotected birds are the feral pigeon, European starling, and English sparrow ⁷.

State-Protected Game Animals require special authorization. Species like white-tailed deer, elk, black bear, wild turkey, and the copperbelly water snake cannot be taken without prior permission from the KDFWR commissioner ^{2 8}.

When to Call a Professional Wildlife Control Operator

There are several clear scenarios where contacting a licensed Wildlife Control Operator is not just advisable but legally required:

• For Relocation: If you wish to trap and relocate a healthy animal, you must use a licensed WCO ⁹.
• Commercial Activity: Any person or business that removes, traps, or excludes wildlife for a fee must have a Commercial WCO permit ¹⁰.
• Protected Species: Any suspected activity involving bats, protected birds, or other endangered species mandates calling a professional with the proper federal or state permits ¹.
• Complex Infestations: Situations involving animals in walls, attics, or chimneys, especially with young present, require expert handling to ensure complete removal and prevent future entry.
• When Lethal Control is Considered: The KDFWR commissioner may issue permits for lethal control when non-lethal methods fail, but this is tightly regulated and never allowed for bats ⁹.

The Wildlife Removal Process: What to Expect

A professional wildlife control service typically follows a multi-step process to ensure a lasting solution.

1. Inspection and Assessment: A technician will identify the animal species, locate all entry points, and assess the extent of damage and contamination. Inspection fees often range from $75 to $150, though some may be waived if you proceed with service ¹¹.
2. Humane Removal: Using approved, species-specific techniques, the operator will remove the animals. This may involve live trapping, one-way exclusion doors, or other methods.
3. Cleanup and Sanitization: This crucial step involves removing contaminated insulation, droppings, and nesting materials, followed by disinfecting the area to eliminate health hazards from parasites and diseases.
4. Exclusion and Repair: The final and most important step is permanently sealing all entry points with durable materials like steel mesh, chimney caps, or vent covers, and repairing any structural damage. This prevents future invasions.

Cost of Wildlife Removal and Exclusion in Kentucky

Costs vary significantly based on the animal, the severity of the infestation, your location, and the extent of repairs needed ¹². Most companies charge for the overall job rather than per animal. Here's a general breakdown of what you might expect:

• Common Animal Removal: For animals like raccoons, squirrels, skunks, or groundhogs, removal itself might cost between $150 to $500 or more as a flat project fee ^{13 14}.
• Bat Removal: Bat colonies are more complex due to their protected status and the scale of infestation. Removal and exclusion for bats can cost significantly more.
• Exclusion and Repair: This is often the largest expense. Sealing a home properly and repairing damage (e.g., attic restoration, new soffits, roof repair) can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the work required ^{15 16}.
• Emergency Services: Services outside of normal business hours may incur additional charges.

Prevention: The Best Strategy for Wildlife Control

The most effective and cost-efficient approach is to make your property less attractive to wildlife. The KDFWR and professionals emphasize preventive measures ¹:

• Secure Food Sources: Keep pet food indoors, use secure lids on garbage cans, and clean barbecue grills.
• Eliminate Shelter: Seal off crawl spaces, repair broken vents, and install chimney caps. Trim tree branches away from your roof.
• Habitat Modification: Remove woodpiles, dense brush, and debris from near your home's foundation.
• Use Repellents: Commercial or natural repellents can be a temporary deterrent for some species, though they are rarely a permanent solution.

How to Find a Licensed Professional in Kentucky

To ensure legal, safe, and effective service, always verify that a wildlife control professional is properly licensed. The KDFWR provides a Wildlife Control Operator finder tool to locate permitted professionals in your area ¹⁷. You can also contact your local county animal services for assistance or referrals, particularly for injured or sick animals ¹⁸.

Frequently asked questions

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