Top Wildlife Removal in Nashville, Tennessee Ranked

Nashville's vibrant urban landscape and surrounding green spaces create a unique habitat where wildlife and people often intersect. When raccoons, squirrels, bats, or other wild animals find their way into your attic, crawl space, or yard, it becomes a nuisance wildlife situation that requires safe and legal resolution. Understanding your options for animal control and removal is crucial, as Tennessee has specific regulations governing how these situations must be handled. This guide provides essential information on managing wildlife conflicts, from understanding local laws to finding qualified professionals who can humanely and effectively address your problem.

Elite Wildlife Removal and Prevention, LLC

nashville

Elite Wildlife Removal and Prevention, LLC is a locally owned company based near Nashville, Tennessee. They provide wildlife removal and prevention services throughout middle Tennessee and surrounding areas. The team is certified and trained, focusing on safely removing animals, repairing damage, and preventing future wildlife intrusions. They stay current with industry standards to ensure effective service.

5.0

186 Reviews

A-Team Wildlife Removal

nashville

A-Team Wildlife Removal is a wildlife removal company based in Nashville, TN. They specialize in safely and responsibly resolving wildlife issues in homes, including animals in attics, crawl spaces, and around properties. The company emphasizes a humane and state law-compliant approach, focusing on proper removal, identifying entry points, and preventing future problems while treating each home with care.

5.0

165 Reviews

EcoPro Pest Control

127 Split Rail Ln, Spring Hill, TN 37174

EcoPro Pest Control provides a range of pest management services in Nashville, TN, including bed bug treatment, cockroach and ant control, rodent management, termite inspections, mosquito control, bee and wasp removal, and wildlife removal. The company serves both residential and commercial clients, offering personalized and eco-friendly solutions. EcoPro Pest Control is family-owned and operated, with certified and insured technicians who focus on protecting homes and businesses from common pests in the area. Their services cover neighborhoods in and around Spring Hill, TN, near Nashville, and include professional insulation removal, attic restoration, and sanitation.

5.0

154 Reviews

EcoPro Pest Control

1441 New Hwy 96 W, Franklin, TN 37064

EcoPro Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company serving Nashville, TN, and surrounding areas including Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, and Columbia. They offer environmentally-friendly pest management services for homes and businesses, addressing issues such as ants, bed bugs, mosquitoes, roaches, rodents, spiders, termites, ticks, wasps, and wildlife. EcoPro Pest Control also provides repair and exclusion services to help prevent pest entry. With over 12 years of experience, the company emphasizes personalized service and uses proven methods to protect properties effectively.

5.0

134 Reviews

Terminix

802 N Cumberland St B, Lebanon, TN 37087

Terminix provides comprehensive pest control services in Nashville, TN, specializing in the treatment and prevention of common pests such as bed bugs, termites, ants, rodents, mosquitoes, and wildlife. Their local technicians are familiar with the specific pest challenges in the area and offer tailored solutions including termite inspections, mosquito control, and wildlife removal. Terminix also offers ongoing pest protection plans and guarantees for termite damage repair. They serve a wide range of communities around Nashville, ensuring homes and businesses are protected throughout the year.

5.0

132 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Nashville

Nashville's mix of urban development, parks, and waterways supports a diverse array of wildlife. While many species are a natural part of the ecosystem, several can become problematic when they enter human dwellings or cause property damage. The most frequently encountered nuisance animals in the area include: ^{1 2}

Mammals:

• Raccoons: Intelligent and dexterous, they are notorious for rummaging through trash and gaining entry into attics and chimneys.
• Squirrels: Both Eastern gray squirrels and flying squirrels can chew wiring, insulation, and structural wood, posing a fire hazard and causing significant damage. ³
• Rodents: Rats and mice are common invaders that contaminate food and can spread disease.
• Opossums: Often found under decks or in crawl spaces, they are generally less destructive but can still be a nuisance.
• Skunks: Known for their potent defensive spray, they may den under sheds or porches.
• Bats: These protected species can roost in attics or eaves; their removal is strictly regulated. ⁴
• Armadillos: Primarily a concern for lawns and gardens, as their digging can be extensive.

Birds:

• Pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows are considered non-protected nuisance birds. Most other bird species are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Act and cannot be harmed or relocated without permits. ⁵

Reptiles:

• Various snakes are present, with occasional encounters with venomous species like the copperhead. ⁶

Understanding Tennessee Wildlife Laws and Landowner Rights

Before taking any action, it's vital to understand the legal framework. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) sets regulations to protect both wildlife and property owners. ⁷

Your Rights as a Landowner or Tenant: If non-protected wildlife like raccoons, opossums, skunks, or squirrels are causing property damage, you have the right to capture them on your property without a permit. ^{8 9} You may purchase and use live traps. However, once an animal is captured, you face strict disposal rules.

Critical Trapping and Relocation Rules:

1. On-Site Disposal: You must either release the animal or humanely euthanize it on your own property.
2. No Off-Site Relocation: It is generally illegal to transport and release live wildlife elsewhere. Doing so without a specific TWRA permit and the written permission of the release site's landowner violates state law. ^{9 10} This law helps prevent the spread of disease and ecological disruption.
3. For Off-Site Relocation: You must hire a TWRA-permitted Animal Damage Control (ADC) operator. These professionals hold the necessary permits for legal transport and release. ⁸
4. Protected Species: Special rules apply to federally or state-protected animals, including most native birds, bats, deer, and bear. You must obtain permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the TWRA before attempting to capture or disturb them. ⁷

Who to Call: Navigating Nashville's Wildlife Services

Knowing which agency or service to contact saves time and ensures the situation is handled correctly. The TWRA provides technical assistance and information but typically does not perform animal removal services for the public. ⁷

• Emergency/Public Safety Threat: If a wild animal is actively threatening or has attacked a person, call 9-1-1 immediately. ¹¹
• Sick, Injured, or Orphaned Wildlife: For a wild animal that appears ill, injured, or is a baby without its mother, contact Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC) at (615) 862-4017 or submit a request via the hubNashville online portal. ^{12 13} You can also reach out to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, such as the Nashville Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic at (615) 939-4181. ¹⁴
• Stray or Dangerous Domestic Animals: For issues involving dogs or cats, contact MACC. ¹²
• General Wildlife Questions & Regulations: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) regional office can be reached at (615) 781-6622 for questions about laws, technical advice, or concerns about general wild animal conditions. ¹⁵
• Nuisance Wildlife in Your Home or Building: For trapping and removal of animals from a structure, your best course is to hire a private, TWRA-permitted Animal Damage Control company. This is a paid service, as neither TWRA nor MACC typically provides free removal for nuisance situations inside homes. ^{7 16 17}

The Professional Wildlife Removal Process

When you hire a professional animal removal service in Nashville, they follow a structured process to resolve the issue completely and prevent recurrence.

1. Inspection and Assessment: A qualified technician will conduct a thorough inspection of your property to identify the species involved, locate all entry points, assess the extent of the infestation, and check for damage or contamination. Many companies offer free inspections and quotes. ¹⁸

2. Humane Trapping and Removal: Using a variety of specialized traps and techniques, the professional will safely capture the nuisance animals. The duration can vary from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the species and number of animals. Permitted operators will then legally transport and release the animals in accordance with TWRA regulations. ¹⁹

3. Exclusion and Repair: Simply removing the animals is not enough. To prevent future problems, the technician will seal all identified entry points with durable materials like steel mesh, hardware cloth, or chimney caps. This critical step, known as exclusion, is essential for a long-term solution. ^{20 21}

4. Cleanup and Decontamination: Wildlife droppings, urine, and nesting materials can pose serious health risks, carrying pathogens like histoplasmosis or parasites. Professional cleanup involves removing contaminated insulation, sanitizing the area with industrial-grade cleaners, and applying enzymatic treatments to neutralize odors. ^{1 22 23}

5. Follow-up and Prevention Advice: A reputable service will offer advice on making your property less attractive to wildlife, such as securing trash cans, trimming tree branches away from the roof, and removing other food sources.

Cost of Wildlife Removal Services in Nashville

Wildlife control is a paid service with costs set by individual operators, not regulated by the TWRA. ^{8 7} Prices in Nashville vary widely based on several factors: ^{24 25}

• Animal Species: Removing a colony of bats or a family of raccoons is typically more complex and costly than removing a single opossum.
• Infestation Severity and Location: Animals in an attic or within walls require more labor-intensive removal than those in a crawl space or garage.
• Scope of Services: The total cost will include multiple components:
  • Trapping/Removal: Fees for the trapping service itself, which may be per animal or per service period. ¹
  • Exclusion Work: Repairing entry points to prevent re-entry is a separate and vital charge. ¹⁹
  • Cleanup/Decontamination: Sanitizing and deodorizing the affected area is often an additional service. ^{18 20}
  • Minor Repairs: Fixing damage caused by the animals, such as chewed vents or damaged soffits.

It is highly recommended to contact several TWRA-permitted ADC operators for detailed, on-site estimates before making a hiring decision. ⁸ Be sure the quote clearly outlines all anticipated services-removal, exclusion, and cleanup-to avoid unexpected costs.

Frequently asked questions

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