Top Wildlife Removal in Spokane, Washington Ranked

When raccoons rummage through your trash or squirrels nest in your attic, it's more than a nuisance-it's a problem that requires a safe and legal solution. Wildlife removal in Spokane involves the humane and regulated management of wild animals that have become a conflict on residential or commercial property. This service is crucial for protecting your home from damage, preventing health hazards, and ensuring the ethical treatment of local wildlife. For Spokane residents, navigating this process means understanding state regulations, knowing when to call a professional, and finding a licensed expert who can resolve the issue effectively and permanently.

Orkin

111 N Vista Rd #6, Spokane Valley, WA 99212

Orkin provides residential and commercial pest control services in Spokane, WA. They handle a wide range of pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, birds, and wildlife. Orkin offers customized pest plans and uses treatments such as liquid termite barriers, Sentricon® bait, and dry foam void filler to address infestations. With over 120 years of experience, Orkin supports year-round pest management and offers 24/7 availability for pest control needs in Spokane.

4.8

2.1k Reviews

Critter Control of Greater Spokane

spokane

Critter Control of Greater Spokane is a full-service pest and wildlife control company based in Spokane, WA. They offer a wide range of services including humane wildlife exclusions, rodent control, and pest management for ants, bed bugs, wasps, and more. The company specializes in handling difficult wildlife such as raccoons, squirrels, bats, skunks, moles, voles, and gophers, using live trapping and exclusion methods to protect homes and commercial properties. Critter Control also provides repairs and sanitation following removal to prevent further infestations. Their trained specialists use advanced techniques to ensure effective and humane removal of nuisance animals, serving both residential and commercial clients.

4.8

186 Reviews

Alta Pest Control

9514 E Montgomery Ave #20, Spokane Valley, WA 99206

Alta Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company serving Spokane, WA, and surrounding areas. They offer year-round pest management with quarterly treatments targeting a wide range of pests including ants, rodents, termites, bed bugs, and stinging insects. Their services also include rodent exclusion, attic insulation, and moisture control to provide comprehensive protection. Alta Pest Control uses certified methods such as Sentricon® termite bait stations and emphasizes clear communication about each treatment. They provide ongoing service with a satisfaction guarantee and a 48-hour response commitment.

4.6

1.9k Reviews

Castle Wildlife and Specialty Services

spokane

Castle Wildlife and Specialty Services is a wildlife removal and bird pigeon control company based in Spokane, WA. They specialize in managing and removing various wildlife including bats, birds, squirrels, raccoons, and more from homes and businesses. Their services include wildlife exclusion, removal, sealing, and remediation such as sanitizing and insulation replacement. They follow best management practices and governmental guidelines to handle protected species in the region. One notable capability is their expertise in bat management, addressing health concerns like rabies and histoplasmosis while preserving ecological balance.

4.7

33 Reviews

Terminix

15320 E Marietta Ave SUIte #7, Spokane Valley, WA 99216

Terminix is a pest control company serving Spokane, WA, specializing in managing a wide range of pests including bed bugs, ants, rodents, termites, and wasps. The Spokane Valley branch offers customized pest inspections and treatments tailored to local pest issues, with expertise in termite control and rodent prevention. Their services include interior and exterior inspections, regular treatments, and guarantees on termite damage repair. Terminix technicians are familiar with seasonal pest patterns in the area and use EPA-approved products to ensure safe treatment around pets.

3.9

58 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Spokane

The Spokane area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, many of which are opportunistic and can adapt to living near humans. ¹ These animals are often drawn to residential areas by the promise of food, water, and shelter. Identifying the specific animal causing trouble is the first step toward a proper resolution.

Small to Medium Mammals: These are the most frequent culprits for homeowners. The list includes:

• Raccoons: Intelligent and dexterous, known for tipping over garbage cans and seeking refuge in attics or chimneys.
• Squirrels: Both tree and ground squirrels can cause significant damage by chewing on wires, wood, and insulation, especially when nesting in structures.
• Skunks: Notorious for their defensive spray, they often take up residence under decks, sheds, or porches.
• Opossums: The only marsupial in North America, they are scavengers that may raid pet food or compost.
• Rodents: Rats and mice are common invaders that pose serious health risks and property damage.
• Bats: While beneficial for insect control, bats can roost in attics and their accumulated droppings (guano) create health hazards.
• Burrowing Animals: Moles, gophers, and woodchucks (marmots) can destroy lawns, gardens, and landscaping.

Large Mammals: Encounters in densely populated areas are less common but do occur, often requiring immediate attention from state authorities. ^{2 3 4} This group includes:

• Coyotes: Adaptable predators that may prey on small pets.
• Deer and Elk: Can cause landscape damage and pose a collision risk on roads.
• Black Bears, Cougars, and Moose: While rare in city limits, sightings in outlying areas happen and represent a significant public safety concern that must be reported.

Washington State Regulations and Your Responsibilities

Wildlife management in Washington is strictly governed. It's important to know that Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services (SCRAPS) handles only domestic animals like dogs, cats, and stray livestock. ⁵ For all wild animal issues, the primary authority is the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). ^{6 7 8 9}

As a property owner, you have both rights and responsibilities. The state encourages a progressive approach, starting with the most humane and least invasive methods. ^{7 10 11}

1. Prevention and Exclusion: This is always the first and best line of defense. The goal is to make your property less attractive to wildlife.

• Remove Attractants: Secure garbage cans with locking lids, never leave pet food outdoors, and clean up fallen fruit from trees.
• Install Barriers: Use chimney caps, vent covers, and hardware cloth to seal potential entry points into your home's exterior.
• Use Deterrents: Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can scare off animals from gardens or yards.

2. Eviction: If an animal is already inside a structure like an attic or shed, you may attempt to encourage it to leave on its own. ¹⁰ This process, however, requires caution. You must first identify the species and all entry points. Critically, you must ensure no young animals are present inside, as evicting a mother will leave helpless babies behind, which is both inhumane and creates a worse problem. ¹⁰

3. Trapping (A Last Resort with Strict Rules): Trapping is heavily regulated. ^{12 13 14 15 16}

• Licensing: It is generally illegal to trap wildlife for a fee without a Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) license.
• Property Owner Rights: A property owner (or their immediate family/tenant) may trap or kill certain species, like raccoons, if they are causing damage to crops or domestic animals. ¹⁶
• Legal Traps: Live cage traps are the most common legal method for homeowners. The use of body-gripping traps (like Conibear traps) is prohibited without a special permit from WDFW, which is only granted after non-lethal methods have failed. ¹⁵
• Disposition: What you do with a trapped animal is critical. Relocating wildlife off your property is often illegal in Washington, as it can spread disease and disrupt ecosystems. Animals must be handled in accordance with WDFW regulations, which often means euthanasia for certain species. ¹⁴

When and How to Call for Professional Animal Control

There are clear situations where DIY methods are insufficient or unsafe, and hiring a professional becomes necessary.

When to Call a Professional:

• The animal is inside the living spaces of your home or in a dangerous location (like a wall).
• You suspect a breeding female with young is present.
• The animal is large, aggressive, or potentially rabid (e.g., a raccoon out during the day acting disoriented).
• There is a significant accumulation of droppings (like from bats or rodents), which requires specialized cleanup for health reasons.
• You are uncomfortable or unable to safely perform exclusion or eviction work.
• Repeated infestations occur, indicating a need for professional-grade exclusion work.

Who to Call:

1. Wildlife Emergencies: For an injured or sick wild animal, or an immediate public safety threat (e.g., a cougar in a schoolyard), call the Washington State Patrol at (509) 456-4101, WDFW Enforcement at (360) 902-2936, or 911. ^{6 17 18 19}
2. General Wildlife Questions: Contact the WDFW Spokane office directly at (509) 892-1001 for guidance. ⁶
3. Animal Bites: Any bite from a wild animal should be taken seriously. Immediately clean the wound and contact the Spokane Regional Health District at (509) 324-1560 ext. 7 to assess rabies risk and necessary treatment. ²⁰
4. Professional Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs): For active removal and exclusion services, you should hire a WDFW-certified Wildlife Control Operator. ^{2 6} These are licensed professionals trained in humane wildlife control techniques, state laws, and proper exclusion methods to solve your problem and prevent its return.

Understanding Costs for Wildlife Control Services

The cost for professional wildlife removal in Spokane is not a flat fee; it varies significantly based on multiple factors. ^{12 21 22 23 24} Most reputable WCOs will provide a free or low-cost initial inspection and quote.

Key Factors Influencing Price:

• Type of Animal: Removing a single squirrel differs in complexity and cost from evicting a colony of bats or a family of raccoons.
• Location of the Problem: An animal in an easily accessible crawl space is less expensive to remove than one deep in an attic insulation or inside a wall void.
• Extent of Infestation: The number of animals and the duration they've been present affect the price.
• Required Services: A basic removal job costs less than a service package that includes full exclusion (sealing all entry points), cleanup/sanitization of contaminated areas, and repair of structural damage.
• Urgency: Emergency or after-hours services typically command a higher rate.

General Price Ranges: While you should always get a specific quote, homeowners can expect costs to range from several hundred dollars for a straightforward removal and minor exclusion to over a thousand dollars for complex jobs involving major repairs, extensive cleanup, or difficult-to-reach animals. ^{6 12 21 25 26} Remember, WCOs are private businesses, and you pay directly for their expertise and services.

The Professional Process: What to Expect from a WCO

Hiring a certified Wildlife Control Operator ensures the job is done legally, humanely, and effectively. A professional service typically follows a multi-step process:

1. Inspection and Assessment: The operator will thoroughly inspect your property to identify the animal species, locate all entry points, assess the extent of the infestation, and look for damage.
2. Solution and Quote: Based on the inspection, the WCO will explain the best course of action, which should prioritize humane removal and permanent exclusion. They will provide a detailed written quote outlining the work to be done and the total cost.
3. Humane Removal: Using approved methods, the professional will remove the animals. This may involve live-trapping and euthanasia in accordance with state law, or using one-way exclusion doors that allow animals to leave but not re-enter.
4. Exclusion and Repair: This is the most critical step for a permanent solution. The WCO will seal all identified entry points with durable materials like steel mesh, hardware cloth, or specialized vent covers. They may also perform repairs to damage caused by the wildlife.
5. Cleanup and Sanitization: For health and odor reasons, professionals often offer biohazard cleanup services to safely remove droppings, urine, and nesting materials, followed by sanitizing the affected area.
6. Follow-up and Warranty: Many reputable companies offer a warranty on their exclusion work, guaranteeing that if the animals return within a certain period, they will address the problem at no additional cost.

Choosing a WCO who emphasizes exclusion and prevention, rather than just trapping, is key to a long-term solution. By understanding the local wildlife, state regulations, and the professional services available, Spokane residents can effectively and responsibly manage human-wildlife conflicts on their property.

Frequently asked questions

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