Top Wildlife Removal in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Ranked

Finding an unexpected animal in your attic, chimney, or under your deck can be unsettling. In Harrisburg, managing conflicts with local wildlife requires a specific approach that balances effective removal with Pennsylvania's conservation laws. This guide explains what you can do, when to call for help, and how to navigate the regulations to resolve your nuisance wildlife issue safely and legally.

Seek Pest Solutions

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Seek Pest Solutions is a pest control company serving Philadelphia, PA, offering services for both residential and commercial properties. Their expertise includes bed bug treatment, rodent control, bee and wasp removal, and wildlife removal. The team has over 25 years of combined experience and follows environmentally conscious practices through their Green Pest service. They focus on protecting homes from pests that can spread diseases and provide tailored solutions to each situation.

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Harrisburg

The Susquehanna River Valley and urban green spaces provide excellent habitat for many species that can sometimes become a problem for homeowners. Knowing what you're dealing with is the first step.

• Mammals: The most frequent culprits include squirrels (both gray and flying), raccoons, skunks, bats, groundhogs (woodchucks), mice, and rats. Occasionally, properties near more rural edges may encounter issues with opossums or even feral hogs^{1 2 3}.
• Birds: While common birds like pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows have fewer restrictions, others such as woodpeckers, gulls, and Canada geese are often protected and may require permits for management^{1 2}.

Understanding Pennsylvania Wildlife Regulations

All native wildlife in Pennsylvania is protected by law under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). This is the most critical factor for any animal control effort in Harrisburg^{4 5 6}.

• Landowner Rights & Limits: Property owners have certain rights to address wildlife causing damage, but these actions must comply with PGC regulations. You generally cannot trap and relocate wildlife without a permit^{4 7}.
• Protected Species: For species not explicitly listed as "nuisance wildlife" or during closed seasons, any trapping or handling requires specific authorization from the PGC. This includes many bird species and larger mammals^{5 6}.
• The Right Resource: Before taking significant action, your primary contact should be the Pennsylvania Game Commission. They provide guidance on what you can do yourself and when a permit or professional is necessary^{8 5}.

What You Can Do: DIY Prevention and Removal

For many common situations, homeowners can take effective, legal steps to encourage wildlife to leave and prevent their return.

1. Prevention and Exclusion (The Best Solution): This is always the first and most effective line of defense. It involves making your property less attractive and accessible.

• Seal Entry Points: Carefully inspect your home's exterior, especially the roofline, attic vents, soffits, and foundation. Use sturdy materials like hardware cloth, steel wool, or metal flashing to seal any gaps larger than a quarter-inch. Remember, squirrels can fit through a hole the size of a golf ball, and mice only need a dime-sized opening^{1 9}.
• Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on trash cans, bring pet food indoors at night, and clean up fallen birdseed or fruit from trees.
• Modify Habitat: Trim tree branches that overhang your roof, keep woodpiles away from the house, and seal off crawl space accesses.

2. Safe DIY Removal Methods:

• Live Trapping: For species like squirrels and raccoons, live trapping on your property is often allowed, but relocation is heavily regulated and often illegal due to disease spread and ecological concerns. Always check current PGC rules before setting a trap^{8 4}.
• Exclusion Techniques: This is a one-way door system that allows animals to exit but not re-enter. It is a common and effective method for evicting bats, raccoons, and squirrels from an attic once young are mobile. Proper timing is crucial^{8 3}.
• Encouraging Departure: For animals like skunks under a shed, you can often gently encourage them to leave by loosely blocking the entrance with straw or newspaper. If it's pushed open overnight, the animal has likely left, and you can then permanently seal the hole⁹.

When to Call a Professional Wildlife Control Operator

While some situations are manageable, others demand expert intervention for safety, legal, and practical reasons.

• Dealing with Protected or Dangerous Species: If the animal is a bat colony, a bear, a coyote, or a protected bird species, professionals have the permits and experience to handle them legally^{8 2}.
• Complex Infestations: A single squirrel is one thing; a family of raccoons in the chimney with babies is another. Professionals can assess the situation, including whether young are present, and execute a humane removal plan^{1 9}.
• Health and Safety Risks: Any animal that appears sick, injured, or aggressive poses a direct threat. Never attempt to handle a wild animal with your bare hands. Professionals also manage the significant biohazards left behind, such as droppings, urine, and nesting materials, which require proper sanitation^{2 9}.
• Extensive Property Damage: When wildlife has chewed wiring, torn insulation, or soiled areas with waste, removal is only half the job. Professionals offer repair and restoration services to make your home safe and sound again¹⁰.

What to Expect from Professional Animal Removal Services

A reputable wildlife control operator in Harrisburg will typically follow an integrated process:

1. Inspection: A thorough assessment to identify the species, entry points, extent of infestation, and any damage.
2. Humane Removal: Using legally approved methods such as live traps or exclusion devices to remove the animals.
3. Exclusion & Repair: Sealing all potential entry points with durable materials to prevent re-entry. This may involve installing chimney caps, vent guards, or repairing damaged wood.
4. Cleanup & Sanitation: Decontaminating affected areas to remove health hazards from feces, urine, and parasites.
5. Prevention Advice: Providing recommendations to keep your property wildlife-free in the future.

Understanding Costs for Wildlife Control

Professional services are an investment in resolving the problem completely. Costs in Harrisburg can vary based on the animal, infestation size, and necessary repairs^{10 11}.

• Squirrel or Raccoon Removal: A standard removal job, including trapping and basic exclusion, often ranges from $250 to $500 or more.
• Additional Fees: Services are often itemized. You may see per-animal trapping fees, hourly labor rates for complex removals, and material costs for exclusion work (e.g., per-foot charges for sealing).
• Repair and Restoration: Fixing damage like chewed siding, attic insulation, or ductwork is billed separately and can significantly add to the total project cost.

Frequently asked questions

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