Top Wildlife Removal in Allentown, Pennsylvania Ranked

Discovering an uninvited animal in your home or on your property can be unsettling. Wildlife removal in Allentown involves the safe, humane, and legal eviction of nuisance animals like raccoons, squirrels, bats, and snakes from residential and commercial spaces. This service is critical for protecting your property from damage and your family from potential health risks associated with wildlife. The following guide will help you understand your options, local regulations, and how to connect with qualified professionals for animal control and exclusion services.

Critter Control

philadelphia

Critter Control is a pest and wildlife removal company serving Philadelphia, PA. They provide comprehensive inspections, humane trapping and removal, exclusion services to prevent re-entry, and repair of damage caused by pests and wildlife. Their expertise includes controlling rodents, birds, raccoons, squirrels, bats, and other nuisance animals. With over 40 years of experience, Critter Control follows local and federal regulations to ensure safe and effective wildlife management.

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Understanding Nuisance Wildlife in Allentown

Allentown's mix of urban spaces, parks, and proximity to natural areas creates an environment where human and animal habitats frequently overlap. While wildlife is a valued part of our local ecosystem, certain species can become problematic when they seek food and shelter in our homes and businesses. Effective wildlife management requires knowing which animals are common culprits and why they pose a problem.

Common Problem Species in the Lehigh Valley

The most frequent calls for wildlife extraction in Allentown involve mammals that are adept at exploiting urban resources. Knowing what you're dealing with is the first step toward a solution.

• Raccoons: These intelligent, dexterous animals are often attracted by unsecured garbage, pet food left outdoors, and accessible compost piles. They seek shelter in attics, chimneys, and under decks, and can cause significant structural damage while creating a mess. ¹
• Squirrels: Primarily tree squirrels, these rodents commonly invade attics and wall voids, especially in the fall as they search for warm nesting sites. Their constant gnawing can damage electrical wiring, insulation, and wooden beams, creating a fire hazard. ¹
• Bats: Small colonies of bats may roost in attics or behind shutters. While beneficial for insect control, their guano (droppings) can pose serious health risks and create odor problems. Their removal is often regulated due to their protected status. ¹
• Rats and Mice: These rodents are a year-round concern, seeking food and shelter indoors. They contaminate food supplies and can spread diseases through their droppings and urine.
• Snakes: Occasionally, non-venomous snakes like garter snakes or rat snakes may enter basements or garages in search of prey (often rodents). While generally harmless, their presence can be alarming. ²

What You Can Do: Prevention and DIY Limits

Before wildlife becomes an indoor tenant, proactive measures are your best defense. Many nuisance wildlife situations can be prevented with simple, consistent habits.

Effective Wildlife Prevention Strategies

• Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on garbage cans, avoid leaving pet food outside overnight, and manage compost bins carefully.
• Seal Entry Points: Conduct seasonal inspections of your home's exterior. Look for gaps in soffits, loose roof vents, cracks in foundations, and holes around utility lines. Use sturdy materials like hardware cloth, steel wool, or metal flashing to seal potential entryways.
• Modify the Habitat: Keep tree branches trimmed back at least 6-8 feet from your roofline. Store firewood away from the house and keep yards free of dense brush or debris piles where animals can hide.

The Rules of DIY Trapping and Removal

Pennsylvania law grants landowners certain rights to address nuisance wildlife, but it comes with important restrictions and responsibilities. ³

You may trap certain species causing damage on your property, but you cannot trap beavers, bobcats, migratory birds, big game, or any threatened or endangered species without specific authorization. ³ If you choose to trap:

• Traps must be checked at least once every 36 hours. ³
• You are required to contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) region office before setting traps to understand the specific regulations for the animal in question. ³
• You are responsible for the humane dispatch or release of the trapped animal in accordance with state law.

For many homeowners, the logistics, legal risks, and ethical considerations make hiring a licensed professional the preferred and safest choice.

When and Who to Call for Professional Help

Knowing which agency or professional to contact saves time and ensures the problem is handled correctly. The response differs significantly depending on whether the animal is domestic or wild.

Allentown Animal Control & Health Bureau

• Allentown Animal Control, managed through the city's Public Works Department, primarily handles issues with domestic animals like dogs and cats running at large, stray pets, and animal cruelty cases. They do not typically provide wildlife removal services. ⁴
• The Allentown Health Bureau should be contacted for reports of animal bites on humans to investigate potential rabies exposure. ⁴

Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC)

For all true wildlife issues, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is the primary regulatory authority. ³ You should contact the PGC:

• For problems with protected species (like bats).
• If you need a list of licensed Wildlife Conservation Officers (WCOs) or permitted nuisance wildlife trappers in your area. ^{3 5}
• For guidance on large-scale infestations or when DIY methods have failed.
• Before undertaking any trapping of regulated species. ³

Licensed Wildlife Removal Professionals

For direct service, a licensed and insured wildlife removal company is often the most efficient solution. These specialists, who may be licensed as Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs), provide:

1. Inspection: Identifying the species, entry points, and extent of the problem.
2. Humane Removal: Using live traps, exclusion devices, or other legal methods.
3. Exclusion: Sealing entry points to prevent re-entry after removal.
4. Clean-up & Restoration: Sanitizing affected areas and repairing damage (e.g., attic insulation, chewed wires).

Understanding Wildlife Removal Costs in Allentown

The cost for professional animal removal services in Allentown is not fixed and can vary widely based on the species, the severity of the infestation, the location of the animals within the structure, and the extent of damage. Most companies charge a service or inspection fee for the initial assessment. ⁶

• Squirrel or Raccoon Removal: For a relatively straightforward removal from an attic, costs can start in the few hundred dollar range. However, if the animals have caused significant damage requiring insulation replacement, wiring repair, or if there are babies present requiring special handling, the total cost can easily exceed $1,000. ⁷
• Bat Exclusion: This is typically a more complex and therefore more expensive job. It involves installing one-way exclusion devices at all potential exit points and then permanently sealing the structure, often requiring specialized knowledge of bat behavior and state regulations. ⁸
• Rodent Control: Ongoing rat or mouse control programs may involve an initial set-up fee and recurring monthly or quarterly service charges for monitoring and maintenance.

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

Navigating Local Regulations and Legal Responsibilities

Allentown residents must comply with both city ordinances and Pennsylvania state game laws. Key points include:

• Leash Laws: The City of Allentown requires that pets (dogs and cats) be leashed or otherwise controlled when in public spaces. ^{5 9}
• Trapping Regulations: As noted, state law requires landowners to contact the PGC before trapping most nuisance wildlife. ³ Relocating trapped animals is often illegal and ecologically unsound, as it can spread disease and simply transfer the problem.
• Protected Species: Special federal and state protections apply to species like bats. Disturbing a maternity roost, for example, can carry significant penalties. A professional will know how to navigate these regulations legally.

Finding Qualified Wildlife Removal Help

For a centralized starting point, the City of Allentown's official website provides links to relevant resources, including the Lehigh Valley Humane Society and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. ⁴ When vetting private companies, look for:

• Proof of licensing and insurance.
• References or reviews from local customers.
• A clear explanation of their methods, guaranteeing humane and legal practices.
• A comprehensive service approach that includes prevention and exclusion, not just trapping.

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