Top Wildlife Removal in Toms River, New Jersey Ranked

Discovering an uninvited animal in your attic, under your deck, or burrowing in your yard can be unsettling and damaging. Wildlife removal is the specialized service of safely and humanely evicting nuisance animals from your property and preventing their return. In Toms River, where suburban neighborhoods meet natural habitats, encounters with raccoons, squirrels, and other wildlife are common. This guide explains the local wildlife challenges, your legal options, and how to find qualified professionals for effective animal control and exclusion.

UFO Nuisance Wildlife Control, LLC

307 Hawkin Rd, Southampton Township, NJ 08088

UFO Nuisance Wildlife Control, LLC is a wildlife removal company serving Philadelphia, PA. They focus on humane capture and relocation methods to protect both animals and people. Their services include tailored inspections and exclusion work that adapt to seasonal changes in animal behavior to keep homes secure year-round. Owned by Jesse Miller and Joshua Chambers, the company combines experience in home repairs, animal handling, and volunteer work at local sanctuaries. Their team is available throughout the year to assist with wildlife management and removal needs.

5.0

247 Reviews

Divine Pest Specialist

newark

Divine Pest Specialist is a family-owned pest control company serving Newark, NJ. Established in 2018 with 20 years of experience, they provide residential and commercial pest management using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. Their services cover a wide range of pests including termites, bed bugs, roaches, mosquitoes, rodents, ants, bees, wasps, hornets, and wildlife removal. The company focuses on tailored, non-chemical solutions that consider economic, social, and environmental factors to achieve long-term pest control results. Divine Pest Specialist is fully insured, licensed, and a member of national and state pest management associations.

4.8

62 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Toms River

Toms River's mix of residential areas, wooded lots, and proximity to the Barnegat Bay creates ideal conditions for various wildlife species to become problematic for homeowners. Knowing which animal you're dealing with is the first step toward a solution.

Raccoons are intelligent, dexterous, and often the most destructive visitors. They seek out attics and chimneys for safe, warm dens to raise their young, and they can tear apart roofing materials, ductwork, and insulation to gain entry. Their presence is often announced by loud thumping noises at night and significant mess from droppings. ^{1 2}

Squirrels, particularly gray squirrels, are agile climbers that exploit tiny gaps at rooflines, soffits, and vents. Once inside an attic, they chew on electrical wiring (a significant fire hazard), wood, and stored items. Their constant daytime scurrying is a telltale sign. ^{3 4}

Groundhogs (Woodchucks) are powerful diggers that burrow under sheds, decks, and foundations. Their extensive tunnel systems can undermine structural stability, damage landscaping, and create tripping hazards in yards. ^{5 6}

Skunks and Opossums often take up residence under porches, stoops, or low decks. While opossums are generally less destructive, skunks can cause odor issues and dig up lawns in search of grubs. Both are primarily nocturnal. ^{5 4}

Bats and Birds can enter through unscreened vents, gaps in siding, or broken soffits. Bat colonies in attics create large accumulations of guano (droppings), which can pose health risks. Birds nesting in vents can block airflow and create fire hazards. ^{4 6}

Understanding New Jersey Wildlife Regulations

Before taking action, it's crucial to understand the legal framework for nuisance wildlife control in New Jersey. State law generally permits property owners to address damage caused by wildlife on their own property. ³ However, there are important regulations to follow.

Trapping and Relocation: While you may legally trap a nuisance animal on your property, New Jersey has strict rules about relocation. The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife strongly discourages relocating trapped animals due to the risk of spreading disease and the low survival rate of relocated wildlife. ^{3 7} In many cases, humane euthanasia by a licensed professional is the only legal outcome for trapped problem animals.

Prohibited Methods: The use of poisons (rodenticides) for controlling most wildlife species is generally not permitted and is highly dangerous, as it can lead to secondary poisoning of pets, children, and non-target animals. ^{8 9} Focus should always be on humane removal and exclusion.

When in Doubt, Call a Pro: Given the complexities of state law, animal welfare considerations, and public safety, hiring a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator (NWCO) is often the wisest course. These professionals understand the legal protocols for trapping, handling, and disposing of wildlife. ^{5 10}

Your Options for Wildlife Control in Toms River

Homeowners in Toms River have several paths to address a wildlife intrusion, each with its own considerations.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Control: For minor issues or as a preventive measure, DIY can be appropriate. This includes habitat modification like securing trash cans with locking lids, bringing pet food indoors at night, and sealing obvious small entry points with sturdy materials. Live trapping can be attempted, but you must have a plan for the legal and humane disposal of the animal, which often requires contacting a professional anyway. ^{7 8}

Municipal Animal Control Services: It's important to know what your local government can and cannot do. Ocean County Animal Control and municipal Animal Control Officers (ACOs) primarily handle issues with domestic animals like stray dogs and cats. ^{11 12} They typically do not respond to wildlife inside homes (e.g., raccoons in attics). However, they may offer advice or refer you to licensed professionals. For an injured or potentially rabid animal on your property, you should contact the Toms River Police Department or the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. ^{12 13}

Professional Wildlife Removal Services: This is the recommended route for any established infestation, animal inside the living structure of your home, or when safety is a concern. Private wildlife control companies in Toms River offer comprehensive services. ^{1 2 14}

A professional service typically follows a multi-step process:

1. Inspection: A thorough inspection of your property's exterior to identify all potential entry points-professionals often check over 30 common vulnerabilities. ^{14 15}
2. Removal: Using species-appropriate, humane methods to remove the animals. This may involve one-way exclusion doors that let animals out but not in, or live trapping.
3. Cleanup & Remediation: After removal, professionals can clean up hazardous droppings, urine, and nesting materials, and repair minor damage. For severe contamination, they may recommend specialized biohazard cleanup services.
4. Exclusion & Prevention: This is the most critical step. All identified entry points are permanently sealed with durable materials like steel mesh, hardware cloth, or chimney caps to prevent future invasions. ^{1 15} True wildlife control is about solving the problem long-term, not just removing the current occupants.

What to Expect: Services and Costs

The scope of work and cost for wildlife removal in Toms River varies significantly based on the animal species, the extent of the infestation, and the repairs needed.

Basic Removal Services: For a simple job like removing a dead animal from a crawlspace or live-trapping a single groundhog from under a shed, you might expect costs in the range of approximately $150 to $300. ^{16 17}

Complex Infestation Removal: A full-scale raccoon or squirrel infestation in an attic is a more involved project. Costs will be higher as they include inspection, multiple traps or exclusion devices, removal of all animals, and a basic cleanup. Prices here vary widely by contractor and the specific circumstances of your home.

Full Exclusion and Repair: The most comprehensive-and most valuable-service includes the complete sealing of your home. This might involve installing chimney caps, sealing roof vents, repairing soffits, and trenching and fencing around decks to exclude diggers like groundhogs. ⁸ While an upfront investment, proper exclusion protects your property for years to come and is more cost-effective than repeated removal calls.

When evaluating estimates, ensure they detail each phase: inspection, removal, cleanup, exclusion materials, and labor. Reputable companies serving the Toms River area, such as Critter Control, Fischer Wildlife Control, and 4NJ Pest Control, should provide clear, written quotes. ^{1 2 14}

Preventing Future Wildlife Problems

Once your home is secured, ongoing prevention is key. Implement these habitat modification strategies:

• Secure Food Sources: Use animal-proof trash cans, avoid feeding pets outdoors, and clean up fallen birdseed from feeders.
• Eliminate Shelter: Keep woodpiles away from the house, trim tree branches that overhang the roof, and clear dense brush from the property perimeter.
• Maintain Your Home: Regularly inspect your home's exterior for new gaps or damage, especially after storms. Ensure all vents are properly screened and chimney caps are intact.

Taking a proactive approach to wildlife exclusion saves money, protects your property, and ensures peaceful coexistence with Toms River's natural fauna.

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