Top Wildlife Removal in Puyallup, Washington Ranked

Discovering an uninvited animal in your attic, walls, or yard can be unsettling and potentially hazardous. Wildlife removal is the professional service of safely and legally evicting nuisance animals from your property and preventing their return. It matters because improper handling can risk your safety, violate state laws, and lead to recurring problems. This guide will help you understand your options in Puyallup, from do-it-yourself prevention to hiring certified experts, so you can find the right local solution for your specific situation.

Cascade Pest Control

1420 5th Ave Suite 2260, Seattle, WA 98101

Cascade Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company serving Seattle, WA, and nearby areas. Established in 1979, they specialize in environmentally safe pest and rodent control services tailored to the unique needs of homes and businesses in the region. Their licensed technicians provide comprehensive inspections and treatments for common Seattle pests such as ants, spiders, rodents, termites, and wasps. Cascade Pest Control offers rodent removal and prevention, including damage remediation and exclusion services, along with ongoing pest prevention maintenance programs to protect properties year-round.

5.0

809 Reviews

Insulation Co

1420 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122

Insulation Co is a Seattle, WA-based company specializing in attic and crawl space services. Their offerings include insulation installation and removal, mold remediation, ventilation improvements, and rodent proofing and clean-up. They also provide sump pump installation and drainage solutions. The company focuses on improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality through services like duct sealing and insulation. Insulation Co also handles rodent and pest exclusion with humane removal and sanitization. Their expertise includes mold removal and moisture control to maintain healthy living spaces.

5.0

251 Reviews

Insight Pest Solutions

3635 S Cedar St Suite F, Tacoma, WA 98409

Insight Pest Solutions is a pest control company based in Tacoma, WA, specializing in the removal of ants, spiders, rodents, and other wildlife. They offer comprehensive pest control services including inspections and treatments to prevent and address infestations. Their team of certified local exterminators uses methods they trust in their own homes to ensure effective and safe pest management.

4.9

4.4k Reviews

PURCOR Pest Solutions

450 Alaskan Way S Ste: 200-269, Seattle, WA 98104

PURCOR Pest Solutions provides pest and termite control services in Seattle, WA. They manage a variety of pests including ants, mice, spiders, roaches, rodents, and seasonal invaders for both homes and businesses. Their services include pest prevention, rodent removal, termite inspections, and wildlife cleanup, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. PURCOR is locally managed and committed to serving the Seattle community with expert pest control solutions.

4.9

1.1k Reviews

Issaquah Pest Control

1315 NW Mall St Suite 4, Issaquah, WA 98027

Issaquah Pest Control is a family-owned and operated pest control company serving Seattle, WA. They offer a wide range of services including bed bug treatment, rodent control, termite inspections, mosquito control, and wildlife removal. The company is certified and licensed, using safe and quality products to address pest problems efficiently. With over 8 years of experience, Issaquah Pest Control specializes in comprehensive pest management solutions such as ant and wasp control, as well as crawlspace insulation to improve home energy efficiency. They emphasize kindness and professionalism in their approach and provide thorough communication throughout the service process.

4.9

572 Reviews

See more providers in Puyallup, WA

Common Wildlife Issues in Puyallup

Puyallup's mix of suburban neighborhoods, green spaces, and proximity to natural areas makes it a prime habitat for various animals seeking food and shelter. Knowing which critter you're dealing with is the first step toward an effective solution.

Small Mammals and Rodents:

• Squirrels: Often enter attics and eaves to nest, chewing on wires and wood.
• Rats and Mice: These rodents seek warmth and food in garages, crawl spaces, and walls, contaminating areas with droppings.
• Raccoons: Intelligent and dexterous, they raid trash cans and can tear through roof vents to access attics.
• Bats: Small colonies may roost in attics or soffits; their removal is sensitive due to health regulations and conservation status.
• Opossums and Skunks: Typically found under decks, sheds, or porches, they can create odor issues and dig up lawns.

Larger Nuisance Wildlife: For larger animals like coyotes, beavers, or otters, the approach differs. Notably, encounters with big game such as deer, bears, or cougars require immediate contact with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and should not be handled by homeowners or standard removal services ^{1 2}.

Your Options for Wildlife Control

When faced with a wildlife issue, you generally have three paths: preventive measures, do-it-yourself removal, or hiring a professional. The best choice depends on the animal, the location, and the level of risk.

Prevention and Exclusion

The most effective long-term strategy is to make your property less attractive to wildlife. The WDFW emphasizes removing food, water, and shelter ^{3 4}.

• Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on trash cans, avoid leaving pet food outside, and harvest ripe fruit from trees.
• Block Entry Points: Seal gaps in your home's exterior with durable materials like hardware cloth or metal flashing. Pay special attention to roof vents, chimney caps, and areas where utility lines enter ^{4 5}.
• Modify Habitat: Keep tree branches trimmed back from the roofline, store firewood away from the house, and clear dense brush.

DIY Removal and Legal Considerations

For minor issues, some homeowners consider handling removal themselves. Washington state law allows property owners to trap certain nuisance animals on their own property without a permit, but strict rules apply ^{3 6}. It is illegal to trap and relocate most animals beyond the immediate property where they were caught, as this can spread disease and is often inhumane ². The regulations (WAC 220-417-030 and WAC 220-440-060) specify legal trap types, checking frequencies, and humane dispatch methods ^{3 6}.

Scare tactics like loud noises or bright lights can sometimes encourage an animal to leave on its own, but these are often temporary fixes ⁴. For animals already inside a structure, one-way exclusion doors can be installed over the main entry hole, allowing animals to exit but not re-enter ⁴. This method requires correctly identifying all entry points and ensuring no young are trapped inside.

When to Call a Professional Wildlife Control Operator (WCO)

In many cases, professional intervention is the safest, most effective, and legally compliant choice. State law requires anyone who traps or removes nuisance wildlife for a fee to be a certified Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) ^{7 6}.

You should strongly consider hiring a certified WCO for:

• Health and Safety Risks: If the animal appears sick, injured, or is in a precarious location (like inside a wall).
• Large Infestations: Such as a colony of bats or a family of raccoons.
• Hard-to-Reach Areas: Animals deeply embedded in attics, chimneys, or crawl spaces.
• Uncertainty: If you cannot safely identify the species or the extent of the problem.
• Prevention and Repair: Experts don't just remove the animal; they find and seal entry points and can often handle cleanup and damage repair.

Understanding Costs for Professional Wildlife Removal in Puyallup

The cost for professional animal removal and exclusion in Puyallup is not a flat fee; it varies based on several factors. Homeowners can expect a range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars for a complete service ⁸.

Key factors influencing price include:

• Type of Animal: Removal techniques and risks differ. Removing a single opossum from under a deck is typically less involved than extracting a squirrel family from an insulated attic.
• Extent of Infestation: The number of animals present directly impacts the time and materials required.
• Location and Accessibility: An animal in an easy-to-reach garage will cost less to remove than one trapped in a high, confined attic space.
• Required Services: Most companies provide an inspection, removal, exclusion (sealing entry points), and optional cleanup/sanitation. The final bill will reflect which of these services are needed.
• Damage Repair: Additional costs apply for repairing chewed wires, replacing contaminated insulation, or fixing structural damage caused by the animals.

A preliminary inspection by a local Puyallup WCO, such as those from Critter Control or Animal Evictor, might cost between $100 and $200 ^{1 9 8}. The total project cost for removal and exclusion often falls between $300 and $1,500, with complex jobs exceeding that ⁸. Always request a detailed, written estimate before work begins.

Local Regulations and Who to Contact

Navigating local and state rules is a crucial part of wildlife management in Puyallup.

• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW): This is the primary authority for all wild animals. Their website offers extensive guidance on living with nuisance wildlife, lists certified Wildlife Control Operators, and outlines trapping regulations ^{7 3 6}. For immediate dangers from big game (bear, cougar, moose), contact WDFW Enforcement directly.
• Certified Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs): These are the licensed professionals you hire for removal services. They understand the legal protocols for trapping, euthanizing, or releasing animals in compliance with state law ^{7 2}.
• Puyallup Animal Control: It's important to know that the City of Puyallup's Animal Control services, governed by municipal code (PMC § 8.04.020), primarily handle domestic animal issues-such as stray dogs, cats, and livestock-not wild animals ^{10 11}. For wildlife, you will need to contact a private WCO or the WDFW.

The Professional Removal Process

When you hire a certified WCO in Puyallup, you can expect a systematic approach designed to solve the problem permanently.

1. Inspection and Assessment: The professional will identify the animal species, locate all entry points, and assess the extent of the infestation and damage.
2. Humane Removal: Using methods appropriate for the species and situation-such as live traps, one-way doors, or direct hand-removal-the animals are evicted.
3. Exclusion and Prevention: This critical step involves sealing all identified entry points with durable materials to prevent re-entry. This is what turns a simple removal into a long-term solution.
4. Cleanup and Restoration (Optional): Many companies offer services to decontaminate affected areas, remove droppings, and replace soiled insulation, which is important for restoring air quality and preventing odor.
5. Follow-up: Reputable operators often provide a warranty on their exclusion work and may schedule a follow-up visit to ensure the problem is resolved.

Frequently asked questions

Sources