Top Wildlife Removal in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Ranked

When raccoons take up residence in your attic or skunks den under your porch, it's more than a nuisance-it's a potential threat to your property and health. Wildlife removal is the specialized service of safely and legally evicting these uninvited animals from your home or business and preventing their return. In Milwaukee, navigating this process requires understanding local regulations and knowing which professionals to call, as city services are limited to domestic animals. This guide will help you identify common local wildlife issues, understand your options, and connect with qualified experts to resolve your situation effectively.

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control

milwaukee

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control provides humane wildlife removal and exclusion services in Milwaukee, WI. They address urban wildlife challenges involving raccoons, squirrels, skunks, bats, rodents, and birds, using ethical methods that safely relocate animals to natural habitats. Their expertise includes thorough property assessments to identify entry points and prevent future intrusions, ensuring long-term solutions tailored to local wildlife behavior. Skedaddle emphasizes environmentally conscious practices that support the local ecosystem while maintaining the safety and integrity of homes and businesses. They also serve surrounding Wisconsin communities such as Lake County, Madison, and Waukesha.

4.9

172 Reviews

Critter Control Milwaukee

milwaukee

Critter Control Milwaukee provides wildlife removal and pest control services in Milwaukee, WI. They handle a variety of nuisance animals including raccoons, rodents, squirrels, bats, opossums, skunks, and birds. Their process includes inspection, humane trapping and removal, exclusion to prevent re-entry, and repair of any damage caused by wildlife. The company offers specialized services such as bat exclusion with bat valves and rodent control with sealing of entry points. They serve both residential and commercial properties, addressing issues from attics to crawl spaces and outdoor areas.

4.8

229 Reviews

Pest Badger Waukesha

milwaukee

Pest Badger Waukesha offers comprehensive pest control services in Milwaukee, WI, addressing issues with bed bugs, ants, rodents, mosquitoes, and wildlife. Their process includes thorough inspections, eco-friendly treatments, and prevention measures to help keep homes pest-free. The company also provides lawn care services such as fertilization and weed control. Pest Badger uses products that are safe for children, pets, and beneficial wildlife while effectively targeting pests.

4.9

43 Reviews

Bat Specialist of Wisconsin

milwaukee

Bat Specialist of Wisconsin provides bat removal and control services in Milwaukee, WI. The company focuses on humane and environmentally responsible methods to safely remove bats from buildings and prevent future infestations. Their approach avoids pesticides, traps, and netting, ensuring bats are safely reintroduced to their natural habitats.

5.0

17 Reviews

Orkin

16335 W Lincoln Ave, New Berlin, WI 53151

Orkin provides comprehensive pest control services in Milwaukee, WI, specializing in residential and commercial pest management. Their expertise includes bed bug treatment, termite inspections and control, rodent and ant extermination, mosquito control, bee and wasp removal, and wildlife management. Orkin uses science-backed methods and advanced technology to address pest problems effectively, including Sentricon® bait systems for termite control. With over 120 years of experience in the pest control industry, Orkin offers 24/7 availability to respond to urgent pest issues and supports year-round pest management tailored to seasonal pest activity in the region.

4.5

1.7k Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Milwaukee

The Milwaukee area is home to a diverse array of wildlife that can sometimes come into conflict with human habitats. Knowing which animal you're dealing with is the first step toward a solution.

Raccoons are perhaps the most notorious urban wildlife in Milwaukee. These intelligent, dexterous animals are adept at finding food in garbage cans and creating dens in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces. Their presence often leads to significant damage from chewing and contamination from droppings. ^{1 2}

Squirrels and Rodents, including tree squirrels, rats, and mice, frequently invade attics and wall voids. Their constant gnawing can damage electrical wiring (a fire hazard), insulation, and structural wood. The scratching and scurrying sounds in ceilings are a common complaint. ^{1 3}

Bats are unique among Milwaukee's nuisance wildlife due to their protected status. While beneficial for insect control, bat colonies in attics or buildings pose health risks from guano accumulation and potential rabies exposure. Their removal is strictly regulated and requires professional exclusion techniques, not extermination. ^{1 4}

Ground-Dwelling Animals like skunks, opossums, woodchucks (groundhogs), and moles are frequent culprits. Skunks and opossums often take shelter under decks, sheds, or porches, with skunks presenting a notorious odor problem. Woodchucks and moles cause extensive damage to lawns, gardens, and foundations through their digging and burrowing. ^{1 2 4}

Less common but impactful are beavers and foxes. Beavers near water bodies can flood properties and damage trees, while foxes may prey on small pets or poultry. ^{2 4}

Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities

In Wisconsin, property owners have specific rights to address nuisance wildlife, but these rights come with important legal boundaries set by state and federal regulations. ⁵

What You Can Do Yourself Landowners and occupants can manage certain species on their own property without a hunting or trapping license if the animals are causing damage. This generally applies to species like coyotes, beavers, foxes, raccoons, woodchucks, rabbits, and squirrels. The law also allows for the removal of unprotected species, such as house sparrows, starlings, opossums, and skunks, if they are a nuisance. Non-lethal methods are always encouraged and legal for anyone to use. These include hazing (using noise or motion to scare animals away), installing exclusion devices like chimney caps or vent screens, and using commercially available repellents. ^{5 6}

Critical Legal Restrictions However, significant restrictions limit DIY removal, especially in an urban setting like Milwaukee:

• Firearm Discharge: Using a firearm within Milwaukee city limits is typically unlawful, eliminating that option for lethal control. ⁵
• Relocation Laws: It is illegal to relocate live-trapped wildlife to any Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)-controlled land. Releasing an animal on another private property requires explicit written permission from the landowner. Improper relocation often simply moves the problem and can spread disease. ^{5 7}
• Protected Species: This is the most critical area. It is illegal to harm, trap, or disturb endangered or threatened species, or most migratory birds (and their active nests containing eggs or young) without specific federal and state permits. This includes many bird species and bats. Attempting to remove these animals yourself can result in heavy fines. ^{6 8}

When and How to Seek Professional Help

For most wildlife conflicts beyond simple prevention, hiring a professional is the safest, most effective, and legally compliant path.

City Services vs. Private Companies It's essential to know who to call. The Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) handles stray, lost, or injured domestic animals like dogs and cats. They may also respond to sick or severely injured wild animals. However, for active nuisance wildlife removal-such as a raccoon in the attic or bats in the belfry-you must contact a private, state-licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO). The City of Milwaukee does not provide wild animal capture or removal services for nuisance situations. ^{9 3 10}

The Role of a Professional Wildlife Removal Service A licensed NWCO brings expertise in animal behavior, proper trapping and exclusion techniques, and a thorough understanding of Wisconsin wildlife laws. Their process typically involves:

1. Inspection: Identifying the animal species, locating all entry points, and assessing the extent of the damage and contamination.
2. Humane Removal: Using species-appropriate methods to remove the animals, which may include live trapping, one-way exclusion doors, or hands-on extraction.
3. Exclusion & Repair: Sealing all potential entry points with durable materials to prevent re-entry. This is the most crucial step for a permanent solution.
4. Cleanup & Restoration: Sanitizing affected areas and removing contaminated insulation. Repairing chewed wires, ductwork, or structural damage caused by the animals.

What to Expect: Costs of Wildlife Removal in Milwaukee

Wildlife control is a paid service, and costs can vary widely based on the animal involved, the severity and location of the infestation, and the necessary repairs. Most companies charge an initial inspection or service call fee, which can range from approximately $150 to $300+. This fee is often applied toward the total cost if you proceed with their services. ^{1 11 12}

Cost Ranges by Common Species:

• Raccoon Removal: Due to the complexity of removing adults and young from an attic, along with necessary exclusion work, costs commonly range from $300 to $600+. If attic restoration and cleanup of contaminated insulation are required, the price can increase significantly. ^{1 13}
• Bat Exclusion: This is a specialized, multi-step process. Professionals must install one-way exits after ensuring no flightless young are trapped inside and then seal every potential entry point. Costs often start around $400 and can exceed $1,000+ for large colonies or complex structures. ^{11 14}
• Squirrel Removal: Similar to raccoons, removing squirrels from an attic typically falls in the $200 to $500+ range, including basic exclusion work to seal entry holes. ^{1 15}
• Skunk or Opossum Removal: Removing a single animal from under a deck or porch is often less involved, with costs potentially ranging from $150 to $400+. ^{11 13}

Remember, the lowest price isn't always the best value. A reputable operator will provide a detailed plan for removal, exclusion, and cleanup, ensuring the problem is solved permanently and in compliance with all regulations.

Preventing Future Wildlife Conflicts

After your wildlife issue is resolved, prevention is key. Simple steps can make your property less attractive to nuisance animals:

• Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on garbage cans, bring pet food indoors at night, and clean up fallen birdseed or fruit from trees.
• Seal Entry Points: Conduct seasonal inspections of your roof line, siding, vents, and foundation. Seal any gaps or holes with sturdy materials like steel wool, hardware cloth, or sheet metal.
• Modify Habitat: Trim tree branches that overhang your roof, keep woodpiles away from the house, and consider installing chimney caps and vent screens.

Frequently asked questions

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