How Much Does Wildlife Removal Cost in 2024?

Wildlife Removal Cost Factors

As you estimate your budget to rid your home of unwanted critters, consider these key wildlife removal cost factors.

Type of Wildlife

Various animals may nest in or around your home, and each species has different removal methods. As a result, there are different cost ranges for removing different animals. Some municipalities offer free removal services via government-funded animal control agencies, though this is typically limited to domesticated animals and some large wildlife like feral cats.

Bats

Bat removal costs $200 to $550 depending on the severity and location of the infestation. While it may cost less than $500 to remove a few bats, you may pay between $600 to $1,500 to remove a large colony of bats from your attic. Bats are a protected species, so the only legal removal involves sealing access points and installing a one-way window for voluntary departure. Estimates usually include live trapping, cleanup, and sanitation of the impacted areas. 

Birds

Bird removal costs $100 to $700, depending on the type of bird and the size of the infestation. Local and state laws vary regarding protected species and the legality of removal, so check with your local animal control agency for specifics. The cost of removing birds from your home may increase if you need to remove nests from hard-to-access locations, like out of a vent or from inside the eaves of the roof. 

Moles, Gophers, and Groundhogs

Hiring a gopher and mole exterminator costs $50 to $550 on average. This price could rise if the critters gather in a crawl space or under the yard. Pros can set live humane traps during an initial visit and then return to relocate the moles, gophers, or groundhogs. Other methods may include using repellents or fumigation. 

Possums

Possum removal costs $250 to $500. This price includes live trapping of a single animal, relocation, and sealing off entry points. A wildlife removal professional may recommend installing a metal mesh fence at least six inches below ground to keep these pests off your property. 

Raccoons

Raccoon removal costs $200 to $600. Similar to removing moles, groundhogs, and possums, removing raccoons humanely usually involves live trapping, sealing off entrances, and relocation services. Sometimes, multiple visits may be needed to catch and remove reclusive raccoons. Raccoon nest removal can cost up to $750. 

Rodents

Rodent removal costs $175 to $550, depending on how easy it is to access the infestation and the number of animals involved. Live trapping is the preferred humane method of rodent removal, but exterminators may opt for poisons and other traps when dealing with rats and mice. Lethal methods tend to be cheaper than live capture and relocation. 

Skunks

Skunk removal costs $300 to $600, including live trapping of the animals, relocating them, and sealing up entry points. The intense odor of skunks can lead to more significant cleanup and disinfection to remove the smell. Skunks can hide inside crawlspaces and other difficult-to-reach areas, possibly adding $1,500 to $15,000 to your cleaning costs. 

Squirrels

Squirrel removal costs $300 to $600—or more if you discover a larger population living on your property. Like with other rodents, you can ask a pro to set live traps for squirrels so they can be relocated elsewhere. An exclusive door should be installed over every entry point, costing $225 to $400 each. Some squirrels are protected species, so it may be illegal to use poison. 

Dead Animal Removal Cost

Dead wildlife removal costs less than removing a live animal because trapping isn’t needed. Removing a dead animal from your home costs $150 to $250, depending on accessibility. You’ll pay extra to have drywall patched up to seal nests and entryways. If the dead animal is in a crawlspace, attic, or other more easily accessible areas, you may pay less.

Removal Method

Removing wildlife from your home varies in cost based on who you hire and which removal method they use. Generally speaking, Terminix wildlife control costs 20% to 40% more than local animal removal services. Critter Control prices for rodent and pest removal tend to be similar. 

Trapping and releasing a single animal from your home is typically less expensive than installing exclusion barriers. Poison is usually cheaper than live capture, but may not be desirable or even legal in some cases. 

Public animal control may remove animals but only offers services for certain animals in certain places. They don’t generally handle wild animals. 

Labor

The labor aspect of wildlife removal costs $50 to $250 per hour, on average. Many local animal removal services charge a minimum service call fee of $150 to $250. You may pay $100 to $300 for an initial inspection, the cost of which can be put toward the removal service. 

Labor costs increase if pros need to seal off more entry points or install more exclusion barriers. Infestations in hard-to-reach places also increase labor costs. You may also need to pay for cleanup, sanitization, and removing droppings and other debris. 

Ongoing Costs

You may incur ongoing costs to prevent future infestations. Removing animals from your home can take a single visit or several days. Trapping and releasing a large bat colony in the attic may take up to a month.

Once they’re gone, you can take steps to minimize the chances of them returning. This can involve sealing off potential entry points, checking traps regularly, and implementing various repellants or noise devices to deter the return of wildlife into your home or property. To prevent future bird infestations, installing netting and spikes costs $500 to $1,000. Spraying pesticides to kill the grubs that attract moles costs $70 to $80 per month. 

Costs to Repair Wildlife Home Damage

Bats, rodents, and other wildlife on your property can damage walls, destroy insulation, and chew through electrical wiring. The extent of your home damage can be far-reaching and expensive to repair. It’s important to call a wildlife removal pro at the first signs of an infestation.

Some common types of property damage caused by wildlife infestations and their associated repair costs include:

• Drywall repair costs $300 to $875. Animal removal experts may need to cut through your drywall to access rodent nests and other infestations. 

• Replacing insulation costs $950 to $2,150. Various pests may damage insulation with chewing or urine, necessitating the installation of fresh insulation material.

• Wiring repair costs $6 to $8 per square foot. Rodents, in particular, can damage electrical wiring in your walls by chewing on it. 

• Duct repair costs $200 to $700. This may involve proper cleaning for health reasons and to reduce the risk of damage from mold, rust, and leaking. 

• Siding repair costs $350 to $1,300. Pests that build nests in the side of your home or under the roofline may damage the siding. 

• Crawl space cleaning and repair pricing costs $1,500 to $15,000. Rodents and insects can cause serious damage to crawl spaces and your home’s foundation, causing wooden beams to mold or rot.

• Chimney repair costs $160 to $750. This may range from a thorough cleaning to prevent fire hazards from animal droppings to rebuilding a broken chimney.

Wildlife Removal vs. Extermination

Setting humane live capture traps for relocation and release is preferable in most cases. Humane capture may be legally required for certain species, especially if they’re protected. The noted exception is for certain rat and mouse infestations where you may be allowed to use poisons for full extermination.

Poisoning wild animals is illegal in many parts of the country. It can also expose your family to toxic chemicals. While live animal removal costs more than extermination, it’s often the better option. 

Does Wildlife Removal Increase Home Value?

Removing wildlife may not directly increase your home’s value, but you can’t sell your home if you know it has a pest problem. A home inspection will fail if you have an animal infestation. Wild animals can transmit diseases and infections and damage parts of your home, including the insulation, foundation, and electrical wiring. It is crucial to address a wildlife infestation as soon as you see signs of an animal presence. 

Budgeting for Wildlife Removal

To reduce the cost of removing unwanted wildlife from your home, follow these useful budget-saving tips:

• Get quotes from multiple service providers: Compare prices and services, including what the estimate includes.

• Check your homeowner’s insurance policy: While your insurance may not cover wildlife removal costs, it may cover some home repairs and cleanup costs.

• Invest in preventative measures: Paying for exclusion barriers and sealing off possible entry points helps reduce the chances of future infestations.

• Negotiate a guarantee: Wildlife removal pros may offer a warranty on their work in case the animals return within a certain timeframe.

• Address the problem early: Deal with wildlife problems early before they become major infestations with significant house damage.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.