Top Wildlife Removal in Beverly, Massachusetts Ranked

Discovering a raccoon family in your attic or a skunk under your deck can be unsettling and disruptive. Professional wildlife removal is the specialized service that safely and legally resolves conflicts with nuisance animals on your property. In Beverly, this process is governed by strict state laws designed to protect both residents and local ecosystems. This guide will help you understand the common wildlife issues in the area, the legal framework for animal control, and how to find qualified local professionals to address your specific situation effectively.

Clancy Brothers Pest Control

288 Willard St, Quincy, MA 02169

Clancy Brothers Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company serving Boston, MA. They specialize in residential and commercial pest control, including rodent control, termite inspections, wildlife removal, and bed bug treatment. With over 64 years of experience, they offer safe and effective pest elimination solutions.

5.0

2.0k Reviews

Freedom Pest Control

58 Pulaski St Unit Business 2, Peabody, MA 01960

Freedom Pest Control is a pest management company serving Boston, MA, with over 30 years of experience since 1994. They provide a wide range of pest control services including ant, rodent, bed bug, termite, mosquito, and wildlife removal. Their approach involves thorough inspections and customized treatment plans to address the root causes of infestations. The company also offers specialized services such as stinging insect control and eco-friendly mosquito and tick management. With a focus on safety and effective solutions, Freedom Pest Control helps homeowners protect their properties from various pests.

5.0

403 Reviews

Bug Bully Pest Control - Concord, MA

191 Sudbury Rd Unit 26, Concord, MA 01742

Bug Bully Pest Control - Concord, MA offers comprehensive pest management services in Boston, MA, specializing in controlling ants, mice, mosquitoes, roaches, termites, and other pests. Established in 2006, the company provides both residential and commercial pest control solutions tailored to each client's needs. Their Quad Defense System targets critical zones around properties to prevent and eliminate infestations effectively. Bug Bully is fully licensed in Massachusetts and offers services within 24 hours of contact, focusing on safe and eco-friendly treatment methods.

5.0

94 Reviews

Critter Control of Greater Boston

28 Thayer Rd Unit B, Waltham, MA 02453

Critter Control of Greater Boston provides wildlife removal services throughout Boston, MA, and surrounding northern and local communities. The company handles a variety of wildlife control needs across many neighborhoods and towns, including Cambridge, Quincy, Waltham, and Lowell. They specialize in humane wildlife removal and exclusion techniques to manage common urban and suburban wildlife issues. This franchise operates independently under Master Home Services, Inc., serving a broad area with a focus on effective wildlife control solutions.

4.9

306 Reviews

Discreet Pest and Wildlife Services, Inc.

2 Burlington Woods Dr #100, Burlington, MA 01803

Discreet Pest and Wildlife Services, Inc. offers specialized pest and bird control solutions in Boston, MA. They focus on commercial pest management with an emphasis on discretion, using unmarked vehicles and plain clothes to minimize disruption. Their licensed technicians handle a wide range of jobs, from small businesses to large hospitals, ensuring professional service tailored to each property's needs. The company provides 24/7 availability for urgent pest control situations, maintaining privacy and protecting clients' reputations.

5.0

73 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Beverly

Beverly's mix of residential neighborhoods, wooded areas, and proximity to the coast creates an ideal habitat for various wildlife species. While these animals are a natural part of the environment, they can become problematic when they seek food and shelter in our homes and yards. The most frequently encountered nuisance animals in the Beverly area include:

• Raccoons: Intelligent and dexterous, they are notorious for tipping over garbage cans, tearing into soffits to access attics, and creating dens in chimneys or under decks. ¹
• Squirrels: Both gray and red squirrels can chew through siding, roof vents, and electrical wiring to nest in attics, posing a significant fire hazard. ²
• Mice and Rats: These rodents seek warmth and food indoors, especially as temperatures drop. They can contaminate food supplies and gnaw on structural elements. ³
• Skunks and Opossums: Often attracted by pet food or unsecured trash, they may take up residence under porches, sheds, or decks. Skunks, of course, present their own unique defensive challenge. ⁴
• Bats: Small openings in attic peaks or gable vents can allow bats to establish a colony. Their guano (droppings) can accumulate, creating health risks and odor problems. ³
• Birds: Species like pigeons, starlings, or sparrows may nest in vents, chimneys, or on building ledges, leading to clogged drainage systems and debris accumulation. ²
• Coyotes: Increasingly common in suburban areas, coyotes are generally wary of humans but can be attracted to properties with unsecured food sources like garbage, compost, or small pets left unattended. ⁴

Understanding which animal you're dealing with is the first step toward an effective and lasting solution.

Massachusetts Laws and Regulations: What You Need to Know

One of the most critical aspects of dealing with wildlife in Beverly is complying with Massachusetts state law. It is illegal to capture and relocate wildlife off your property. ⁵ This regulation is strictly enforced to prevent the spread of diseases like rabies and distemper, to avoid introducing animals into established territories of others (which leads to conflict), and to protect the overall health of wildlife populations. ^{6 7}

This means that if you were to trap a raccoon in your backyard, you cannot simply drive it to a forest in another town. Relocation is not an option provided by licensed professionals. The legal alternatives are either on-site release (if the animal is not a direct threat and can be excluded from a structure) or, in cases where removal is necessary, humane euthanasia. ⁸

Due to these legal complexities, public health concerns, and the risk of injury, hiring a state-licensed Problem Animal Control (PAC) agent is strongly recommended for any trapping and removal. ⁹ Homeowners do have limited rights to trap certain animals within 100 yards of their residence without a permit, but they must still adhere to the no-relocation law and handle euthanasia humanely, which is a task best left to experts. ¹⁰

When to Call for Professional Animal Control

Navigating a wildlife issue requires knowing who to contact and when. In Beverly, the roles are clearly defined:

Beverly Animal Control Officers (ACOs) primarily handle domestic animals (stray dogs, cats, etc.). They will respond to wildlife calls only under specific emergency circumstances: ^{11 12}

• When an animal is posing a direct, immediate threat to public safety.
• When there has been direct contact between a wild animal and a human or pet.
• To report an animal that appears visibly sick, injured, or is behaving erratically (potential rabies symptoms).

For these wildlife emergencies, contact the Beverly Police Department at 978-922-1212 or Animal Control directly at 978-605-2361. ^{11 13}

For all other nuisance wildlife situations-such as squirrels in the attic, a skunk den under your shed, birds nesting in a vent, or persistent raccoons in your garbage-you must contact a private, state-licensed Problem Animal Control (PAC) agent. ¹¹ The city's animal control does not provide nuisance wildlife removal services. ¹¹

Effective DIY Prevention and Deterrence

The most permanent and cost-effective solution to wildlife conflicts is to make your property less attractive to animals in the first place. Professional wildlife removal experts emphasize exclusion and habitat modification as the cornerstone of long-term control. ¹⁴ Here are key steps you can take:

• Remove Food Attractants: Secure all garbage in robust containers with tight-fitting, locking lids. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight. Keep barbecue grills clean and secure compost bins. ^{15 4}
• Modify Habitat: Close off potential den sites by sealing crawl spaces under porches, decks, and sheds with sturdy, animal-proof mesh or lattice. Trim tree branches that overhang your roof to limit access for squirrels and raccoons. ¹⁴
• Seal Entry Points: Conduct a thorough inspection of your home's exterior. Seal any holes, gaps, or cracks in the roof, siding, fascia, and foundation. Pay special attention to areas where utilities enter the home. Use materials like hardware cloth, steel wool, or caulk designed to resist chewing. ⁹
• Use Hazing for Coyotes: If you spot a coyote on your property and it does not immediately flee, you can use deterrents to reinforce its natural fear of humans. Methods include making loud noises (yelling, using an air horn), waving your arms, and throwing small objects in its direction (not to hit it). A motion-activated sprinkler can also be effective. ⁸

While these measures are highly effective for prevention, they may not solve an existing infestation inside your home, which typically requires professional intervention.

Understanding Wildlife Removal and Exclusion Costs

The cost of professional wildlife control in Beverly varies significantly based on several factors, including the animal species, the severity and location of the infestation, and the extent of damage and necessary repairs. ^{15 16 17}

• Inspection Fees: Many companies charge an initial assessment fee (often between $100-$300) to identify the species, entry points, and scope of the problem. This fee is frequently credited toward the total service cost if you hire them. ^{18 19}
• Removal and Trapping Costs: Simple trapping and removal of a single animal like a skunk or raccoon may start in the low hundreds of dollars. More complex situations, such as evicting a colony of bats or squirrels, which requires careful exclusion work over time, can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars. ^{2 20}
• Cleanup and Sanitation: If animals have been living in an attic or wall void, professional cleanup of contaminated insulation, feces (like hazardous raccoon roundworm or bat guano), and urine is often necessary. This adds to the overall cost but is crucial for health and odor removal. ^{3 17}
• Exclusion and Repair: The final, and most important, step is permanent exclusion. This involves sealing all entry points with professional-grade materials and may include installing one-way doors, chimney caps, or vent screens. Repairing chewed wires, damaged siding, or torn insulation also contributes to the total project cost. ^{18 21}

Given this range, it is highly advisable to obtain detailed quotes from 2-3 different licensed PAC agents to compare their assessment, proposed methods, and pricing for your specific wildlife issue. ²

The Professional Wildlife Removal Process

When you hire a licensed Problem Animal Control agent, you can expect a systematic approach:

1. Inspection and Assessment: The technician will perform a thorough inspection of your property, inside and out, to identify the animal, locate all entry points, and assess damage.
2. Customized Plan: They will present a plan that includes humane removal methods, a timeline, and options for cleanup and exclusion.
3. Humane Removal/Exclusion: Using legal and humane techniques, the professional will remove the animals. For animals inside a structure, this often involves installing one-way exclusion doors that allow animals to leave but prevent re-entry, rather than trapping inside. ¹⁵
4. Cleanup and Decontamination: The affected area is cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized to eliminate health risks and attractants for future pests.
5. Exclusion and Repair: All identified entry points are permanently sealed with durable materials. Damaged areas are repaired to restore the integrity of your home.
6. Follow-up: Reputable companies often include a warranty period on their exclusion work and may schedule a follow-up visit to ensure the problem is fully resolved.

Frequently asked questions

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