How Much Does Wildlife Removal Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Wildlife removal involves safely and humanely eliminating unwanted animals from your home or property. The average cost for wildlife removal is $399, with a range between $190 and $612. Factors influencing cost include your location, the type of wildlife, and the extent of the infestation. Hiring a professional is essential to safely and effectively addressing the problem and preventing future issues.

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.

Bats

Bat removal costs $230 to $700, depending on the size and location of the infestation. Since bats are a protected species, pros use humane methods like sealing entry points and installing one-way exits. For extensive infestations, bat droppings cleanup can add $600 to $8,500 to your total cost.

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 and Groundhogs

Hiring a mole exterminator costs $100 to $550 on average, while groundhog removal costs $150 to $200. 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 $400 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 easily the infestation can be accessed 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 to your cleaning costs.

Squirrels

Squirrel removal costs $200 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. Some squirrels are protected species, so it may be illegal to use poison.

Dead Animal Removal

Removing a dead animal from your home costs between $150 and $250, depending on how accessible it is. Since trapping isn't needed, it's usually less expensive than live removal. You may pay extra if the pro needs to repair drywall to seal entry points.

Removal Method

The method used to remove wildlife affects the overall cost. Live trapping and relocation are common but may cost more than using poisons, which might not be legal or safe. Installing exclusion barriers can add to the cost, but help prevent future infestations. Note that public animal control usually doesn't handle wild animals, so hiring a professional wildlife removal service is often necessary.

Labor

Most wildlife removal pros charge a minimum service fee of $150 to $250, which may include an initial inspection. Labor costs can increase if the pro needs to seal multiple entry points, install exclusion barriers, or access hard-to-reach areas. Cleanup and sanitization services can also add to the overall cost.

Ongoing Costs

You’ll incur additional costs for ongoing prevention to prevent future infestations. After the animals are gone, pros can seal entry points, install exclusion devices, or set up repellents to keep wildlife from returning. For example, installing bird netting or spikes costs $20 to $35 per 10 feet.

Wildlife Removal vs. Extermination

Wildlife removal focuses on humanely capturing and relocating animals, which is often legally required for protected species. Extermination methods, like using poisons, may be used for rats and mice, but can pose risks to your family and pets. While humane removal might cost more than extermination, it ensures safety and complies with legal regulations.

Costs to Repair Wildlife Damage

Wildlife like bats and rodents can cause significant damage to your home—chewing through walls, destroying insulation, and damaging electrical wiring. Repairing this damage can be costly, so it's important to call a wildlife removal pro at the first sign of an infestation. Here are some common wildlife repair tasks and their costs.

• Drywall repair costs $300 to $900. Animal removal experts may need to cut through your drywall to access rodent nests and other infestations.

• Replacing insulation costs $1,000 to $2,500. Various pests may damage insulation with chewing or urine, necessitating the installation of fresh insulation material.

• Wiring repair costs $2 to $4 per square foot. Rodents, in particular, can damage electrical wiring in your walls by chewing on it.

• Duct repair costs $12 to $25 per linear foot. Proper cleaning may be necessary for health reasons and to reduce the risk of damage from mold, rust, and leaking.

• Siding repair costs $350 to $1,400. Pests that build nests in the side of your home or under the roofline may damage the siding.

• Crawl space repair costs $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.

Budgeting for Wildlife Removal

Here are some tips to save money on wildlife removal:

• Get multiple quotes: Compare prices and services from different pros.

• Check your insurance: Homeowner's insurance might cover repair and cleanup costs.

• Invest in prevention: Sealing entry points and installing exclusion devices can prevent future infestations.

• Ask about guarantees: Some pros offer warranties if the animals return.

• Act quickly: Address the problem early to avoid costly damage.

DIY vs. Hiring an Animal Control Professional

It may be tempting to take matters into your own hands when dealing with wildlife, particularly if the infestation is small, but this is not advisable. Hiring a wildlife removal professional ensures humane removal methods, safe treatment of problem areas and animal handling, and proper repairs. Animal removal pros are also knowledgeable about sealing entry points and tactics for preventing future infestations. Hiring a pro ensures the safety of you and your family along with lasting results.

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.