Top Wildlife Removal in Shakopee, Minnesota Ranked

Finding an uninvited animal in your attic, garage, or yard can be unsettling. Wildlife removal is the professional service of safely and legally evicting nuisance animals like raccoons, squirrels, and bats from your property and preventing their return. In Shakopee, this work is governed by specific state and local regulations to protect both residents and wildlife. This guide explains your options, from do-it-yourself steps to when you need a licensed professional, and provides the local context to help you find the right animal control expert for your situation.

Valor Pest Solutions

1406 Thomas Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

Valor Pest Solutions is a pest control company based in Minneapolis, MN, specializing in customized pest management tailored to the region's extreme seasonal changes. They offer services for a variety of pests including ants, mice, wasps, spiders, mosquitoes, bed bugs, and rodents. Their approach begins with a thorough inspection followed by a tailored treatment plan that considers local conditions and seasonal pest activity. One notable capability is their comprehensive pest control process, which includes interior and exterior treatments, lawn care, and prevention measures such as de-webbing and nesting area elimination. Valor Pest Solutions understands the unique pest challenges in Minnesota and adapts their services accordingly.

4.9

779 Reviews

Valor Pest Solutions

530 N 3rd St Unit C, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Valor Pest Solutions is a pest control company serving Minneapolis, MN, with over 30 years of local experience. They provide customized pest control services tailored to seasonal pest challenges common in Minnesota homes. Their expertise covers a wide range of pests including ants, mice, wasps, mosquitoes, bed bugs, and rodents. Valor Pest Solutions offers thorough interior and exterior treatments, including home perimeter and full yard services, with a focus on eco-friendly and pet-safe products. They specialize in rodent control by identifying nests and eliminating infestations effectively. Their knowledge of local pests and seasonal patterns supports targeted pest management throughout the year.

4.9

771 Reviews

Abra Kadabra

1101 Pierce St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Abra Kadabra is a pest and wildlife control company serving Minneapolis, MN. They provide services for residential and commercial properties, including ant, rodent, mosquito, bee and wasp removal, bird and pigeon control, and wildlife removal. The company is licensed in Minnesota and employs NWCOA-certified technicians who use environmentally conscious methods. Abra Kadabra offers inspection, removal, and prevention services, such as rodent-proofing and animal-proofing homes to prevent future infestations. Their team stays current with industry knowledge and provides various service plans tailored to customer needs.

4.9

380 Reviews

Capital City Pest Solutions

1749 Sheridan Ave W, St Paul, MN 55116

Capital City Pest Solutions is a pest control company based in Minneapolis, MN. They provide a range of extermination and pest management services including bed bug treatment, cockroach and ant control, rodent removal, termite inspections, mosquito control, bee and wasp removal, bird and pigeon control, and wildlife removal. Their services cover both residential and commercial properties, offering comprehensive pest solutions to address various infestations.

5.0

72 Reviews

Brand Tiger Pest Control

300 4th St E, St Paul, MN 55101

Brand Tiger Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company based in Minneapolis, MN, offering local extermination and wildlife removal services. They provide integrated pest management solutions for bed bugs, ants, rodents, bees, wasps, and other pests, focusing on safe and eco-friendly methods to protect homes and families. Established in 2024, Brand Tiger Pest Control serves St. Paul and surrounding areas with a commitment to humane and effective pest prevention.

4.9

63 Reviews

See more providers in Shakopee, MN

Understanding Shakopee's Common Wildlife Intruders

The mix of suburban neighborhoods, parks, and proximity to the Minnesota River makes Shakopee a habitat for various wildlife. Knowing which animal you're dealing with is the first step, as laws and removal methods differ significantly.

• Raccoons: These intelligent, dexterous animals are common culprits for attic invasions, where they create dens and cause significant damage with their droppings. Due to high rabies risk in Minnesota, raccoons that are trapped must be euthanized and cannot be relocated ^{1 2 3}.
• Squirrels: Both gray and flying squirrels often enter homes through small gaps in rooflines or vents. They can chew on wires, insulation, and wood, creating fire hazards and costly damage.
• Bats: Small brown bats are protected in Minnesota. They often colonize in attics or wall voids. Removal is not a simple trapping job; it requires specific bat exclusion techniques that allow bats to exit but not re-enter, typically done outside of the maternity season (late summer/early fall) ^{1 4}.
• Skunks, Opossums, & Ground Burrowers: These animals may take up residence under decks, sheds, or porches. While they can be a nuisance and pose odor or digging problems, they are often covered under landowner exemptions for removal if causing property damage ¹.

Legal Framework: What You Can and Cannot Do

Minnesota law provides clear guidelines for handling nuisance wildlife. Navigating these rules is crucial to avoid fines and handle animals humanely.

The Landowner Exemption

Minnesota Statute 97B.655 allows landowners or occupants to take certain protected wild animals without a license if the animal is causing property damage ^{1 4}. This applies to animals like:

• Squirrels
• Rabbits and Hares
• Opossums
• Woodchucks
• Beavers, Foxes, Mink, and Muskrat (with specific method restrictions)

Important Conditions: The law states you must use legal methods (poison is generally prohibited) and you must notify a Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer within 24 hours of taking a protected animal like a raccoon ^{1 5}. If you plan to trap and relocate an animal you are allowed to take, you must transport it at least 10-15 miles away from your property ^{1 6}.

When You Absolutely Need a Professional

For many common and complex situations, hiring a licensed wildlife removal service is not just easier-it's legally required.

• Licensed Trapping: It is illegal to trap any animal in Minnesota without a license, except under the specific landowner exemption mentioned above ^{1 2}. Most homeowners do not possess a trapping license.
• Bats: Due to their protected status and the specialized knowledge needed for exclusion, bat removal is a job for professionals.
• Raccoons in Structures: While a landowner can act, the rabies risk, the need for euthanasia, and the complexity of removing a family from an attic make professional intervention the safer, more practical choice.
• Cleanup and Repair: Professionals handle the full scope, including biohazard cleanup of droppings (guano), odor removal, and repairing entry points to prevent re-infestation ^{7 8}.

Local Ordinances in Shakopee

The City of Shakopee prohibits residents from possessing wild animals ³. This means you cannot keep a trapped animal, even temporarily. For issues within city limits involving domestic animals (stray dogs or cats) or a wildlife situation posing an immediate public safety risk, your first call should be to the Shakopee Police Department ^{5 9}. Scott County Animal Control can provide general advice on wildlife and handle domestic animal issues, but they do not perform attic removals or complex wildlife extractions ^{9 10}.

The Professional Wildlife Removal Process

When you hire a specialist for animal control in Shakopee, they follow a systematic approach to ensure a permanent solution.

1. Inspection and Assessment: A technician will identify the species, locate all entry points, and assess the extent of the damage and infestation.
2. Humane Eviction/Exclusion: This is the core of the service. For mammals, this may involve live trapping (where legal) and euthanasia (for raccoons) or relocation. For bats and birds like starlings or pigeons, professionals install one-way exclusion devices that allow animals to leave but block re-entry ^{4 2}.
3. Removal and Cleanup: All animals, nesting materials, and droppings are removed. Attic and insulation cleanup is critical for health reasons and to eliminate pheromone scents that attract new animals.
4. Repair and Exclusion: Every entry point is sealed with durable materials like steel mesh, hardware cloth, or chimney caps. This "animal-proofing" is what guarantees the problem won't recur ^{7 6}.
5. Restoration: Many companies offer repair services for damaged ductwork, electrical wires, soffits, and insulation. Odor remediation may also be necessary, especially from skunk sprays or rodent urine.

Cost Factors for Wildlife Control Services

Prices in Shakopee vary widely based on the animal, the location of the infestation, and the required repairs. It's best to view quotes as an investment in a permanent solution rather than a simple trapping fee.

• Basic Inspection/Service: An initial assessment or a simple trapping job for a single animal like a squirrel in a garage may start in the range of $100 to $300+ ¹¹.
• Standard Removal & Exclusion: For a common issue like removing raccoons or squirrels from an attic and performing basic exclusion sealing, you can expect costs ranging from $500 to $1,000 or more ^{7 8}.
• Complex Jobs and Restoration: Costs can climb into the thousands for severe infestations that require:
  • Complete attic cleanup and sanitization.
  • Removal and replacement of contaminated insulation.
  • Repair of significant structural damage (chewed roof decking, damaged siding).
  • Multi-entry point sealing on a large home.

Always request a detailed, written estimate that breaks down inspection, removal, cleanup, repairs, and exclusion work.

DIY Prevention: Your First Line of Defense

Before you have a problem, you can take proactive steps to make your property less inviting to wildlife.

• Seal Entry Points: Conduct a seasonal inspection of your roofline, siding, and foundation. Look for gaps, loose vents, or holes. Seal any opening larger than a quarter-inch.
• Chimney and Vent Caps: Install sturdy, animal-proof caps on all chimney flues and roof/soffit vents.
• Trim Tree Branches: Keep branches trimmed back at least 6-8 feet from your roof to limit access for squirrels and raccoons.
• Secure Food Sources: Use tight-fitting lids on garbage cans. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors. Clean up fallen birdseed from feeders.
• Address Ground Burrows: Seal gaps under decks, sheds, and porches with heavy-gauge wire mesh buried at least a foot deep.

Taking these steps can prevent the vast majority of wildlife conflicts, saving you stress and significant expense down the road ^{1 6}.

Frequently asked questions

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