Best Wildlife Removal in Maryland Ranked

When wildlife like raccoons, squirrels, or bats move into your attic, crawl space, or yard, it's more than a nuisance-it can pose health risks, cause significant property damage, and create stressful living conditions. In Maryland, addressing these situations requires navigating specific state regulations designed to protect native species. This guide explains the essential rules for humane wildlife control, clarifies when you need a permit, and provides practical advice for finding qualified professionals to safely and legally resolve your wildlife conflict.

Rapid Wildlife Control

607 Woodshurst Way, Catonsville, MD 21228

Rapid Wildlife Control is a wildlife removal company based in Baltimore, MD, specializing in humane removal and control of rodents, birds, and other nuisance wildlife. They serve Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County, and Montgomery County. Their services include attic and crawl space wildlife removal, chimney cleaning, ground trapping, deceased animal removal, and wildlife exclusion to prevent future invasions. With over 20 years of experience, their certified specialists use ethical methods to ensure safety for both animals and people.

5.0

143 Reviews

The Bug Man

210 Magothy Bridge Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122

The Bug Man is a family-owned pest control company based in Baltimore, MD, serving Pasadena and nearby communities. With over 20 years of experience, they provide pest control services for a wide range of pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, and wildlife. Their expertise includes termite inspections and treatments, as well as mosquito control, helping to protect homes and families from unwanted pests. The Bug Man focuses on local, customer-centered service to maintain pest-free environments.

5.0

128 Reviews

Raven Termite and Pest Control

baltimore

Raven Termite and Pest Control is a full-service pest control company based in Baltimore, MD, serving both residential and commercial clients. They offer solutions for a wide range of pests including rodents, bed bugs, ants, mosquitoes, termites, cockroaches, and wildlife such as squirrels and raccoons. The company uses environmentally responsible pest control technologies and holds all necessary licenses from the Maryland Department of Agriculture. With over 18 years of experience, Raven Termite and Pest Control provides seasonal mosquito control and comprehensive pest management tailored to the specific needs of each property.

4.9

568 Reviews

Platinum Wildlife Solutions LLC

2954 Box Hill Ct, Abingdon, MD 21009

Platinum Wildlife Solutions LLC is a wildlife removal company based in Abingdon, Maryland, serving Baltimore, MD and surrounding areas. With over 10 years of experience, they specialize in humane trapping, exclusion, and prevention of nuisance wildlife such as raccoons, squirrels, bats, birds, and rodents. Their services also include wildlife damage repair to restore properties affected by animal activity. The company holds a Maryland DNR Wildlife Exclusion License and focuses on environmentally friendly and ethical wildlife management practices.

5.0

99 Reviews

Brody Brothers Pest Control in Anne Arundel County

2408 Peppermill Dr STE 2J, Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Brody Brothers Pest Control in Anne Arundel County provides rodent control, wildlife removal, and general pest extermination services in Baltimore, MD. They address common local pest issues such as silverfish, rodents, spiders, and stink bugs, focusing on vulnerable areas like attics and crawlspaces. Their expertise includes managing infestations that thrive in Maryland's unique climate and housing styles.

4.9

381 Reviews

See more providers in Maryland

Understanding Maryland's Wildlife Protection Laws

Maryland is home to a diverse array of native wildlife, and most species are protected under state law. This means you cannot simply trap or remove animals like raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats, or many birds without proper authorization, even if they are on your own property and causing damage ^{1 2 3 4}. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages these protections to ensure animal control is conducted humanely and responsibly.

The core principle is that most native wildlife species require a permit for removal if they are causing a nuisance ^{5 6}. This system balances property rights with conservation goals. Before taking any action, it's crucial to identify the animal and understand its legal status.

Protected vs. Unprotected Species

Knowing which animals are protected is the first step in planning your response.

Protected Species (Permit Required for Control): This category includes the majority of wildlife you're likely to encounter as a nuisance. A permit is generally required for the control of:

• Furbearing mammals: Beaver, bobcat, fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, otter, raccoon, skunk, and weasel.
• Other mammals: Bats (with additional seasonal restrictions), rabbits, squirrels, and woodchucks (in some situations).
• Reptiles: Many native snakes.
• Birds: Nearly all bird species are protected under federal law (the Migratory Bird Treaty Act), with very few exceptions.

It's important to note that rare, threatened, and endangered species have even stricter protections. Handling these animals requires specific permits from the DNR's Wildlife and Heritage Service ^{7 8 9}.

Unprotected Species (Permit Not Required): A landowner's permit is not required for controlling certain species when they are causing damage on your property. These include:

• Mice, moles, rats, and voles
• Nutria
• Woodchucks (note: a permit may still be needed depending on the situation; clarification from authorities is recommended)
• Feral pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows ^{7 8 9 10}

Permit Requirements for Wildlife Control in Maryland

Maryland has established a clear permitting process to regulate wildlife damage control. The type of permit you need depends entirely on who is performing the work.

For Homeowners: The Landowner Wildlife Damage Control Permit

If you wish to personally address a wildlife problem on your own property, you may need a free Landowner Wildlife Damage Control Permit. This permit is designed for do-it-yourself control of protected species ^{1 2}.

How to Obtain the Permit: You must contact the USDA Wildlife Services office for Maryland. The permit is issued over the phone.

• Phone: 1-877-463-6497 (within Maryland) or 410-349-8055 (outside Maryland).

Key Conditions and Rules:

• The permit is specific. It will authorize control for a particular species, using approved methods (like specific trap types), and will state what must be done with the animal (e.g., euthanized, released on-site).
• You must comply with all local ordinances regarding the use of firearms or traps.
• A critical state law: The relocation of rabies vector species (primarily raccoons, skunks, and foxes) is prohibited. This is to prevent the spread of disease ^{7 11 12 13}.
• This permit is for your property only. It does not allow you to perform work for others or receive payment.

For Professionals: The Commercial Wildlife Damage Control Operator's Permit

Anyone who charges a fee for wildlife removal services in Maryland must hold a commercial Wildlife Damage Control Operator's Permit from the DNR. This ensures that professionals have the required knowledge of state laws, animal biology, and humane techniques ^{14 15 1 2}.

Becoming a licensed operator involves:

• Submitting an application to the DNR.
• Passing a written examination on relevant regulations and best practices.
• Adhering to strict record-keeping and reporting requirements for all jobs performed.

When you hire a professional, always verify they hold this current state permit. It is your assurance they are operating legally and ethically.

The Cost of Professional Wildlife Removal in Maryland

The Maryland DNR does not set or publish price lists for commercial wildlife control, as these are private businesses. Costs can vary widely based on several factors ^{11 16 17 18 19}:

• Species: Removing common rodents is typically less expensive than dealing with protected species like raccoons or bats, which require specialized techniques and permits.
• Extent of Infestation: A single animal is cheaper to remove than an entire family.
• Location and Accessibility: Animals in a hard-to-reach attic or inside walls will cost more to extract than those in an open crawl space.
• Required Services: Removal is often just the first step. Costs increase if the job includes decontamination (cleaning droppings, urine), exclusion work (sealing entry points), and repairing structural damage.

General Cost Ranges: While prices vary by company and situation, you can expect the following general ranges:

• Initial Inspection/Consultation: Often between $75 and $150.
• Basic Removal (e.g., trapping rodents): Can start from $200 to $400 and may involve multiple visits to check and reset traps.
• Complex Removal (e.g., raccoons in an attic, bat colony): Can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. This higher cost reflects the complexity of humane eviction, the potential need for one-way doors, and the crucial follow-up exclusion work to prevent re-entry.
• Emergency or After-Hours Services: Usually incur an additional premium fee ^{15 20 21 22}.

The best way to get an accurate estimate is to contact a few licensed Maryland wildlife control operators for detailed, on-site quotes ²³.

The Professional Wildlife Removal Process

Hiring a licensed professional ensures the job is done safely, humanely, and permanently. A reputable service will typically follow this process:

1. Inspection and Assessment: The technician will perform a thorough inspection of your property to identify the animal species, locate all entry points, and assess the extent of the damage and contamination.
2. Humane Removal: Using methods approved by their DNR permit, the professional will remove the animals. For mammals, this often involves live trapping and euthanasia in accordance with the law (as relocation is illegal for key species). For bats, a process called "exclusion" is used, which allows them to exit but not re-enter, typically timed outside of maternity seasons.
3. Clean-up and Decontamination: This vital step involves removing nesting materials, droppings, and urine. Professionals use specialized equipment like HEPA vacuums and enzyme cleaners to sanitize the area and mitigate health risks from parasites and diseases.
4. Exclusion and Repair: The most critical step for a long-term solution. All identified entry points are sealed with durable materials like steel mesh, hardware cloth, or chimney caps to prevent future wildlife intrusions. Damaged vents, soffits, or roofing may also be repaired ^{17 18}.
5. Follow-up and Warranty: Many companies offer a warranty period on their exclusion work, providing peace of mind that the problem is truly resolved.

Frequently asked questions

Sources