Top Wildlife Removal in Niagara Falls, New York Ranked

Discovering a raccoon family in your attic or a skunk under your deck is a common reality for homeowners in Niagara Falls. Wildlife removal is the specialized service of safely and legally resolving conflicts with wild animals that have become a nuisance or a hazard on your property. It matters because improper handling can be dangerous, illegal, and often worsens the problem. This guide will help you understand your options, from do-it-yourself prevention to when you must call a professional, so you can effectively address unwanted animal guests.

Critter Control of Buffalo

buffalo

Critter Control of Buffalo provides wildlife removal and pest control services in Buffalo, NY. They handle a variety of nuisance wildlife including raccoons, squirrels, bats, skunks, rats, and mice using humane and legal methods. Their services include inspection, live trapping, exclusion techniques to prevent reentry, and repair of damage caused by animals. The company follows state regulations and uses specialized equipment to ensure safe removal and cleanup. They serve both residential and commercial properties, addressing issues from attics to outdoor areas with a focus on long-term prevention.

4.9

77 Reviews

Ehrlich Pest Control

1321 Millersport Hwy, Williamsville, NY 14221

Ehrlich Pest Control provides residential and commercial pest control services in Buffalo, NY. They offer treatments for common pests such as bed bugs, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, and wildlife, using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods tailored to local regulations. The company serves a variety of business sectors including warehouses, retail stores, and food processing facilities, helping protect properties from pest-related damage and health risks. Ehrlich Pest Control combines local expertise with industry-leading technology to deliver effective pest management solutions.

4.8

46 Reviews

Jack's Nuisance Wildlife Removal

88 Old Orchard Dr, Williamsville, NY 14221

Jack's Nuisance Wildlife Removal is a full-service wildlife control company based in Buffalo, NY. They specialize in managing urban and suburban wildlife damage for both residential and commercial customers. Licensed by the New York Fish & Wildlife Commission, they handle a wide range of wildlife control issues, including rodent and bird pigeon control, with a focus on humane and professional solutions. The company serves Buffalo and the surrounding areas and is available seven days a week to discuss and schedule wildlife removal services.

4.6

17 Reviews

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Understanding Nuisance Wildlife in Western New York

Niagara Falls and its surrounding natural areas create a vibrant habitat that we share with numerous animal species. While seeing wildlife can be a delight, conflicts arise when these animals seek food, water, or shelter in our homes and businesses. Common problem mammals in the region include squirrels, raccoons, skunks, bats, woodchucks (groundhogs), foxes, and opossums ^{1 2}. Bird nuisances often involve starlings, pigeons, and house sparrows, while Canada geese require specific handling protocols due to their protected status ^{1 3}. The goal of effective animal control is not to harm the local ecosystem but to manage these interactions humanely and legally, protecting both property and public health.

What You Can Do: DIY Prevention and Legal Actions

Before considering trapping or removal, the most effective and lasting strategy is to make your property less attractive to wildlife. This approach, often called exclusion or habitat modification, is something every resident can undertake.

Key Prevention Steps:

• Seal Entry Points: Carefully inspect your home's exterior, especially the roofline, vents, and foundation. Use sturdy materials like hardware cloth, steel wool, or metal flashing to seal any holes or gaps. Remember, a gap as small as a quarter can admit mice, and a raccoon can exploit an opening the size of a baseball.
• Remove Food Sources: Secure trash cans with tight-fitting, locking lids. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight. Pick up fallen fruit from trees and clean up spilled birdseed from feeders, which can attract rodents and larger animals.
• Clear Shelter Sites: Trim tree branches that overhang your roof to limit access for squirrels and raccoons. Clear away brush piles, tall grass, and junk near your home's foundation, as these provide cover for animals like skunks and woodchucks.
• Use Deterrents: Temporary solutions like motion-activated lights, sprinklers, or noise devices can sometimes encourage an animal to move on. Visual scare tactics, such as reflective tape or plastic owls, may offer short-term relief for bird problems ^{1 4 3}.

For certain unprotected species, New York State law allows homeowners to "take" (trap or kill) animals on their own property. This category typically includes bats, squirrels, woodchucks, rats, mice, pigeons, starlings, sparrows, and crows ^{1 4 3}. However, critical legal restrictions apply: You must always check local city and county ordinances regarding the use of firearms or traps. Most importantly, it is illegal for you to capture and relocate the animal elsewhere^{1 5 6}. Relocation spreads disease, often dooms the animal to starvation, and is prohibited by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).

When You Must Call a Professional Wildlife Control Operator

While DIY efforts are excellent for prevention, certain situations legally and practically require the expertise of a licensed professional. Knowing when to make that call can save you time, money, and potential legal trouble.

Call a Licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) for:

• Protected Species: Dealing with deer, beaver, bear, otter, bobcat, or most migratory birds requires a licensed professional. These animals are protected by state and federal law, and special permits are needed for their handling ^{1 2}.
• The Need for Relocation: If an animal cannot be ethically excluded and must be removed, a licensed NWCO has the legal authority to trap and transport it in compliance with NYSDEC regulations.
• Complex Infestations: Animals living in attics, chimneys, or wall voids often require specialized equipment and techniques for safe removal, followed by comprehensive exclusion repairs to prevent re-entry.
• Health and Safety Risks: If you are unsure of the species, if there is a large colony (like bats), or if the access point is difficult to reach safely, a professional assessment is crucial.

Contact Animal Control or the Health Department for:

• Rabies Concerns: If an animal is acting strangely (e.g., disoriented, aggressive, or out during the day for a nocturnal species), appears sick, or has bitten a person or pet, contact your local animal control or health department immediately ^{2 7 8}.
• Immediate Danger: For an animal that is cornered inside a living space or posing a direct threat, animal control may be the fastest resource.
• Dead Wildlife: For reporting or removal of deceased wildlife on public property or roadways.

Navigating New York State Wildlife Regulations

Successfully managing a wildlife issue in Niagara Falls means working within a clear legal framework established by New York State. The primary authority is the NYSDEC, which sets the rules for all nuisance wildlife control.

The Role of the NYSDEC: The DEC's website is the definitive resource for homeowners. It provides species-specific guidance, explains the laws, and maintains the official list of licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs) ^{1 5 9}. Before hiring anyone, verifying their active NYSDEC license is a critical step.

The NWCO License: Professionals who trap and relocate wildlife for a fee must obtain an NWCO license from the state. This process involves fees, training, and mandatory reporting, which helps the DEC monitor wildlife populations and disease ^{5 6 10}. This license is your assurance that the operator understands and follows the complex regulations, including the strict rules against illegal relocation.

The Relocation Law: This is the most frequently misunderstood rule. New York State law prohibits the relocation of nuisance wildlife by anyone except a licensed NWCO following specific protocols ^{1 5}. The reason is sound: moving an animal simply transfers the problem to another community and can introduce diseases into new populations. An ethical NWCO will prioritize permanent exclusion methods that allow animals to leave but not return.

Understanding Wildlife Removal Costs

The cost for professional animal removal in Niagara Falls varies widely and depends on several key factors. There is no standard flat fee, as each job is unique.

Primary Cost Factors:

• Species: Removing a squirrel from a gutter is generally less involved than extracting a family of raccoons from an insulated attic.
• Extent of Infestation: A single animal versus a large colony will impact the time and materials required.
• Location and Access: Is the animal in an easy-to-reach crawl space or a high, steep section of roofing? Difficult access can increase cost.
• Required Services: Is it a simple trapping job, or does it require full exclusion repairs, cleanup, and decontamination?

Price Ranges (Estimates): While prices must be determined by a site-specific inspection, you can expect general ranges. A basic inspection and minor sealing might cost a few hundred dollars. For common problems like squirrel or raccoon removal from an attic, including trapping and exclusion work, costs often range from $500 to over $1,000 depending on complexity ^{1 11 12 13}. Always get a detailed, written estimate that breaks down inspection, removal, exclusion repairs, and any cleanup or sanitizing services.

Your Action Plan for Niagara Falls Wildlife Issues

When you discover unwanted wildlife, a calm, step-by-step approach yields the best results.

1. Identify the Problem: Safely observe from a distance. What animal is it? Where is it entering? What damage or signs (droppings, sounds) are present? Accurate identification is the first step to a proper solution.
2. Implement Immediate Prevention: While you research, take the basic DIY steps: secure trash, remove outdoor food sources, and note potential entry points. This may discourage further activity.
3. Consult the NYSDEC: Visit the DEC's Nuisance Wildlife website for official guidance on your specific animal situation and to find the list of licensed NWCOs serving Niagara County ^{1 14}.
4. Contact Licensed Professionals: If the problem is beyond DIY, contact 2-3 licensed NWCOs for assessments. Ask about their experience with your specific issue, their methods (emphasizing exclusion), and get detailed written quotes.
5. Choose a Solution: Select the operator who provides a comprehensive plan that includes not just removal, but also permanent exclusion and prevention advice to ensure the problem doesn't recur ^{4 15}.

Frequently asked questions

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