Top Wildlife Removal in Apex, North Carolina Ranked

Living in Apex means enjoying beautiful natural surroundings, but sometimes that wildlife gets a little too close for comfort. Wildlife removal is the professional service of safely and legally evicting nuisance animals from your home or property and preventing their return. This matters because animals like raccoons, squirrels, and bats can cause significant structural damage, create health hazards, and pose safety risks. This guide will help you understand your options, from effective DIY prevention to knowing when and how to hire a licensed professional for animal control and exclusion services in the Apex area.

Invicta Environmental Pest Defense

5300 Wenesly Ct, Raleigh, NC 27616

Invicta Environmental Pest Defense is a mom-owned pest control company serving Raleigh, NC. They offer a wide range of pest management services including ant, bed bug, termite, rodent, mosquito, wasp, and wildlife removal treatments for both residential and commercial properties. Their team includes a wildlife biologist and a board-certified entomologist, ensuring expert care with environmentally responsible methods. Invicta is one of the few companies in North Carolina with multiple Premier Technicians certified by the NCPMA and holds Quality Pro and Green Pro certifications. Their approach focuses on pet-friendly, low-impact treatments that protect families and homes. With over 18 years of experience in rodent and wasp control, they provide specialized services backed by industry certifications.

5.0

183 Reviews

Terminix

150 Golden Dr #100, Durham, NC 27705

Terminix provides pest, termite, wildlife, and moisture control services in Durham, NC. They offer residential and commercial pest control with options for quarterly, bi-monthly, and monthly treatments. Terminix specializes in moisture control to prevent wood-decaying fungus and reduce insect infestations, serving Eastern North Carolina to Tidewater, VA. The company is known for its knowledgeable technicians and consistent service.

4.9

1.3k Reviews

Neuse Termite & Pest Control

221 Guy Rd, Clayton, NC 27520

Neuse Termite & Pest Control provides pest management services in Raleigh, NC, specializing in residential and commercial pest control. Their offerings include treatments for bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, birds, and wildlife removal. The company serves multiple counties across North Carolina, ensuring comprehensive coverage for various pest issues. They offer tailored pest control plans to meet different needs and budgets.

4.8

1.9k Reviews

Orkin

609 Mercury St, Raleigh, NC 27603

Orkin offers residential and commercial pest control services in Raleigh, North Carolina. They handle a wide range of pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, and wildlife. Orkin uses science-backed methods such as dry foam void filler, Sentricon® bait, and liquid barriers for termite control. With over 120 years of experience, Orkin provides tailored seasonal pest management to address the unique pest challenges throughout the year. They also offer 24/7 phone support and flexible scheduling to assist customers promptly.

4.8

1.7k Reviews

RIDD Pest Control

2810 Yonkers Rd #3f, Raleigh, NC 27604

RIDD Pest Control is a pest management company based in Raleigh, NC, offering eco-friendly and pet-safe solutions for a variety of pest issues. Their services include ant, cockroach, rodent, termite, mosquito, bee and wasp removal, as well as wildlife control. They use advanced treatment methods such as barrier sprays, granular bait placement, mosquito fogging, and crack and crevice dusting to effectively manage and prevent pest infestations. RIDD Pest Control emphasizes customized service plans tailored to individual homes and prioritizes safety for families and the environment.

4.8

1.5k Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Apex

The Triangle area is home to a diverse array of wildlife that can become problematic when they seek food, water, or shelter in our homes and yards. Knowing what you're dealing with is the first step.

Mammals: The most frequent culprits for invasions include raccoons, squirrels (both gray and flying squirrels), opossums, and foxes ^{1 2}. You may also encounter groundhogs (woodchucks), beavers causing landscape damage, coyotes, and even armadillos, which have been expanding their range into North Carolina ^{1 3 4}.

Birds & Reptiles: Birds like starlings, sparrows, and woodpeckers can nest in vents or under eaves. Non-venomous snakes, such as rat snakes, are common and often enter crawl spaces or basements in search of rodents ^{1 5}.

Insects & Other: Bats are a protected species in North Carolina and require specialized, humane removal techniques, especially during their maternity season ⁵. Swarms of honeybees also need to be addressed by a specialized beekeeper or removal service, not a standard exterminator ⁵.

Understanding the Risks: Why Removal is Necessary

Ignoring a wildlife issue is rarely a good option. The consequences can be costly and hazardous.

• Property Damage: Animals are destructive. Squirrels and raccoons will tear up insulation in attics for nesting, chew on electrical wiring (a major fire hazard), and damage wooden beams. Bats and birds leave behind droppings (guano) that can stain ceilings and compromise indoor air quality ^{6 3}.
• Health and Safety Hazards: Wildlife can carry diseases transmissible to humans and pets, including rabies, leptospirosis, and histoplasmosis (from bat guano) ⁶. Parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites can also be brought into your home.
• Noise and Stress: The sounds of scratching, scurrying, and vocalizations in your walls or attic are more than a nuisance; they disrupt sleep and create ongoing stress for homeowners.

DIY Wildlife Prevention and Exclusion

For many situations, the best "removal" is prevention. Homeowners can take several effective steps to make their property less inviting to wild animals. This proactive approach is often referred to as exclusion.

1. Remove Attractants: This is your first and most powerful line of defense. Secure trash cans with locking lids or bungee cords. Never leave pet food outdoors overnight. Clean up fallen fruit from trees and keep barbecue grills clean ^{3 7 8}.

2. Perform a Home Inspection: Walk around your home's exterior. Look for any potential entry points, especially where different building materials meet, around roof vents, and at the roofline. Remember, a mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime, and squirrels need only a 1.5-inch opening ^{7 9}.

3. Seal Entry Points: After ensuring no animals are inside, seal holes with durable materials. Use 1/4-inch hardware cloth or copper mesh (like Stuf-Fit) for rodent-sized holes. For larger gaps, use galvanized steel flashing or hardware cloth secured with screws. Avoid using caulk or foam alone, as animals can easily chew through it ^{6 8 9}.

4. Modify Habitat: Trim tree branches back at least 6-8 feet from your roofline to prevent easy access for squirrels and raccoons. Keep shrubbery trimmed away from the foundation ³.

When to Call a Professional for Animal Control

While prevention is key, some situations absolutely require professional intervention. Knowing the difference can save you time, money, and legal trouble.

Call a Licensed Wildlife Control Agent (WCA) for:

• Active Infestations: You hear persistent noises in walls, attics, or chimneys.
• Visible Entry/Exit: You see animals entering or leaving a specific part of your house.
• Daytime Activity: Spotting raccoons, foxes, or skunks active during the day can indicate illness or a nearby den.
• Trapping Needs: If live trapping is necessary, a professional understands the complex state laws.
• Exclusion and Repair: After animals are removed, a professional can properly seal the entry points and may offer repair services for damaged insulation, wiring, or ductwork ^{6 2 10 11 12}.

Contact Animal Control for:

• Immediate Threats: An aggressive, sick, or dangerously injured animal on your property.
• Stray Domestic Animals: For loose dogs or cats.
• True Emergencies: In many cases, municipal animal control agencies focus on domestic animals and may refer wildlife calls to private licensed agents or state-permitted rehabilitators ^{13 11 14}.

Navigating North Carolina's Wildlife Laws

This is the most critical reason to hire a professional. North Carolina has specific regulations governing wildlife removal that homeowners can easily violate.

• Relocation is Illegal: It is against the law to trap and relocate most carnivores (raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, bears) in North Carolina. This law exists to prevent the spread of disease and ecological disruption. If trapped under a depredation permit, the animal must be humanely euthanized or released on the same property where it was caught ^{1 13 15}.
• Permits are Required: To legally trap most nuisance wildlife causing property damage, a depredation permit from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission is required. While the permit itself is free, the act of trapping without one is illegal. Licensed Wildlife Control Agents already operate under the necessary permits ^{1 15}.
• Protected Species: Bats, many birds, and other species have additional protections and specific seasons when removal is prohibited. A licensed professional will know these regulations ⁵.

What to Expect: Professional Wildlife Removal Process & Costs

A reputable wildlife control service in Apex will typically follow a structured process.

1. Inspection: A thorough inspection of your property to identify the species, entry points, and extent of the problem. This often costs between $100 and $200+ ^{6 16}.
2. Removal: Employing the right method-which may include live trapping, one-way exclusion doors, or hands-on removal-to evict the animals. Trapping and removal for a standard attic job or ground sets can range from $200 to $500 or more, especially if multiple visits are needed ^{3 4 16}.
3. Exclusion & Clean-up: After removal, all entry points are sealed with professional-grade materials. The area may then be cleaned and sanitized. Exclusion and repair work can range from a few hundred dollars for simple sealing to $1,000 or more for extensive damage repair and insulation replacement ^{6 3}.
4. Dead Animal Removal: If an animal has died inside a wall or crawl space, professionals have the tools to locate and remove it, typically costing $100 to $200+ ¹⁶.

The key takeaway is that effective, legal wildlife management in Apex involves a combination of diligent homeowner prevention and knowing when to call a licensed expert who understands both animal behavior and North Carolina law ^{6 1 17}.

Frequently asked questions

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