Top Wildlife Removal in Madison, Wisconsin Ranked

Living in harmony with nature is part of Madison's charm, but when wildlife like raccoons, squirrels, or coyotes decide to move into your attic or raid your garden, it becomes a nuisance problem requiring professional animal control. Effective wildlife management is crucial for protecting your property from damage and ensuring the humane, legal treatment of local species. This guide will help you understand your options for dealing with nuisance wildlife, from simple prevention you can do yourself to knowing when it's time to call a licensed removal expert.

Critter Ridder Wildlife Solutions

4605 Helgesen Dr, Madison, WI 53718

Critter Ridder Wildlife Solutions in Madison, WI specializes in nuisance wildlife removal and exclusion services. They handle a variety of pests including bats, birds, squirrels, raccoons, and rodents. Their process includes inspection, identification, exclusion, repairs, and remediation such as insulation replacement and sanitization to prevent re-entry and address related issues. Critter Ridder is part of Kwik Kill Pest Control Inc. and offers comprehensive wildlife control solutions from start to finish.

5.0

103 Reviews

Critter Control Madison

madison

Critter Control Madison provides wildlife removal and pest control services in Madison, WI. They handle a variety of nuisance animals including raccoons, rodents, squirrels, birds, and bats using humane removal methods. Their process includes inspection, removal, exclusion, and repair to ensure long-term solutions and restoration of damaged property. The company also offers specialized treatments for parasites and sanitation after animal removal. Critter Control Madison emphasizes safe, humane practices and has many years of experience in wildlife control. They are available around the clock to assist with wildlife issues.

4.9

153 Reviews

Pest Badger Madison

madison

Pest Badger Madison is a licensed and insured pest control company serving Madison, WI. They provide comprehensive pest management services including bed bug treatment, rodent control, mosquito control, and wildlife removal. Their approach starts with a thorough inspection, followed by eco-friendly treatment applications and ongoing prevention measures to keep homes pest-free. Pest Badger uses environmentally safe products suitable for homes with children and pets, focusing on effective and responsible pest elimination.

4.9

90 Reviews

AAAC Wildlife Removal of Madison, WI

madison

AAAC Wildlife Removal of Madison, WI specializes in humane wildlife removal and pest control services in Madison, Wisconsin. They handle a variety of animals including raccoons, rats, bats, squirrels, snakes, and birds, focusing on safe extraction and thorough damage repair. Their services include attic cleanup, insulation replacement, and permanent pest control solutions such as bat colony exclusion and bird control. The company also conducts detailed inspections to identify entry points and biohazards, providing professional repairs to prevent re-entry. With over 15 years of experience, AAAC Wildlife Removal combines skilled trapping techniques with home repair expertise to address wildlife issues effectively. They follow state laws and prioritize humane methods in all their work, ensuring both animal welfare and property protection.

4.7

375 Reviews

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control

madison

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control provides humane wildlife removal services in Madison, WI. They specialize in safely removing animals such as raccoons, squirrels, skunks, bats, rodents, and birds from homes and businesses while respecting the balance between urban life and nature. Their approach includes preventing future invasions and addressing damage caused by wildlife. Skedaddle emphasizes ethical treatment and comprehensive solutions that include cleaning and repair, supporting both community safety and wildlife conservation. Serving Madison and surrounding Wisconsin communities, they offer expertise in managing urban wildlife challenges with a focus on coexistence.

4.8

64 Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Madison

Madison's mix of urban neighborhoods, lakes, and wooded areas creates ideal habitats for a variety of animals. Knowing which species are most likely to cause issues is the first step in managing them.

• Raccoons: These intelligent, dexterous mammals are frequent visitors, known for tipping over garbage cans, tearing up lawns for grubs, and seeking shelter in attics, chimneys, and under decks ^{1 2}.
• Squirrels: Both gray and fox squirrels can become a significant problem when they enter homes, often through roof vents or gaps in soffits. Inside, they can chew on electrical wiring, creating a fire hazard, and build nests in insulation ^{1 3}.
• Skunks & Opossums: These animals are often drawn to yards for food and shelter. Skunks dig for insects and can cause a memorable odor problem, while opossums, which are generally beneficial for tick control, may take up residence under sheds or porches ^{1 4}.
• Coyotes: Coyotes are increasingly common in urban and suburban areas of Dane County. While they play a vital ecological role, they can prey on small pets and become bolder if they lose their natural fear of people ^{1 5}.
• Birds: Canada geese can degrade lawns and water quality, while pigeons, starlings, and woodpeckers can nest in or on buildings, causing noise, mess, and structural damage ^{6 4}.
• Beavers & Muskrats: For properties near lakes or wetlands, these rodents can cause significant issues by felling trees and digging bank dens that can undermine structures ¹.

What You Can Do: Prevention and Hazing

For many minor wildlife conflicts, homeowners can take effective, non-lethal action. The core principle is to make your property less attractive by removing food, water, and shelter.

Remove Attractants

This is the most effective long-term strategy for animal control. Secure your garbage and recycling bins with tight-fitting lids or bungee cords. Do not leave pet food outdoors overnight. Take down bird feeders if they are attracting squirrels, raccoons, or bears. Clear away brush piles, tall grass, and woodpiles that provide cover for small animals near your home ^{1 2 3}.

Practice Safe and Effective Hazing

Hazing is the use of deterrents to scare wild animals away and reinforce their natural fear of humans. It is particularly recommended for coyotes. If you see a coyote in your yard, be big and loud: yell, wave your arms, throw small objects (like tennis balls) in its direction, or use an air horn or spray it with a hose ⁵. The key is consistency-every person in the neighborhood should haze coyotes whenever they are seen too close to homes. Never feed a coyote, intentionally or unintentionally, as this leads to habituation and more dangerous encounters ^{5 7}.

Seal Your Home

Carefully inspect the exterior of your house for potential entry points. Look for loose siding, gaps in roof soffits, uncapped chimneys, and holes where utilities enter. Use sturdy materials like hardware cloth, sheet metal, or concrete patch to seal these openings. Crucially, always ensure no animals are inside before permanently sealing an entry hole. Trapping a mother animal outside while her young are inside creates a worse problem ^{2 7}.

When to Call a Professional Wildlife Removal Service

While DIY methods work for prevention, many situations require the expertise of a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator. These professionals have the knowledge, tools, and legal authority to handle complex or dangerous situations safely and humanely.

You should contact a professional for:

• An animal inside the living spaces of your home (e.g., a squirrel in the kitchen, a raccoon in the fireplace).
• Signs of an active infestation in an attic, wall void, or crawl space (e.g., noises, droppings, damaged insulation).
• Removing animals that are sick, injured, or behaving aggressively.
• Handling protected species, such as most birds, whose nests and eggs are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act ^{8 6}.
• Performing exclusion work, which involves installing one-way doors or other devices that allow animals to leave but not re-enter, followed by complete sealing of the entry points.
• Cleaning up significant amounts of droppings or nesting material, which can pose health risks.

Understanding Wildlife Removal Costs in Madison

The cost for professional animal removal varies based on the species, the extent of the problem, and the repairs needed. Here are typical price ranges for the Madison area:

• Squirrel or Raccoon Removal: Typically ranges from $300 to $800. This often includes live trapping (if necessary), removal, and basic exclusion/sealing of the primary entry point ^{1 9}.
• Bat Exclusion: A more specialized and involved process, usually costing between $500 and $1,000 or more. It requires installing one-way exclusion devices at all potential entry points and meticulous sealing after the colony has left ^{2 7}.
• Bird Control: Installing deterrents like netting, spikes, or wire systems to prevent roosting and nesting can cost between $200 and $600+, depending on the size and accessibility of the area ⁹.
• Coyote or Fox Removal: While hazing is free and encouraged, if lethal removal by a professional is deemed necessary, costs can start around $300 and vary significantly based on the situation ⁵.

Wisconsin Laws and Regulations

It is illegal to possess, transport, or keep most native wild animals as pets without specific permits from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) ^{8 10}. However, Wisconsin law provides some flexibility to landowners dealing with nuisance animals on their own property.

• Landowner Exemption: In many cases, a property owner or occupant can trap or hunt certain nuisance animals (like raccoons, coyotes, beavers, and skunks) on their land without a hunting or trapping license. However, all local firearm ordinances and state trapping regulations must still be followed ^{10 11}.
• 24-Hour Rule: If you find an injured or truly orphaned wild animal, you may possess it for up to 24 hours for the sole purpose of transporting it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator ⁸.
• Protected Species: Special rules protect threatened/endangered species, and federal law protects nearly all native birds, their eggs, and active nests. Always consult the WDNR before attempting to handle these animals ^{8 6}.

Who to Contact for Help

Knowing which agency or company to call saves time and ensures the problem is handled correctly.

• For Guidance & Protected Species: Contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). They provide extensive resources on nuisance wildlife and can advise on legal removal options ^{1 8}.
• For Injured/Orphaned Wildlife: Reach out to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, such as the Wisconsin Humane Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, for advice and intake ³.
• For Professional Removal: Contact a licensed nuisance wildlife control company (e.g., Critter Control, AAAC Wildlife Removal) that specializes in humane trapping, exclusion, and repair ^{2 7 12}.
• For Deceased Animals on Public Property: Call your local City of Madison or Dane County government offices for removal from roads or parks. Note that municipal animal services typically do not handle live wild animal removal from private property ⁵.

Frequently asked questions

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