With the necessary information and supplies, you may be able to tackle some wildlife issues on your own. However, you should also know when it is time to call wildlife removal services. There are various tips you should keep in mind to find an effective and humane company.
Request a Written Estimate & Inspection
Wildlife removal companies may not be able to give you an exact cost over the phone. However, they can give you a summary of their fees and services. Fees that they may charge for on-site inspection may be applied to the total once the work has been completed. During their initial visit to you, you can ask them to do the following:
- Identify the animals that are using the structure
- Identify all entry points as well as any possible entry points
- Determine whether there are offspring present
- Determine how they came up with these answers
The majority of companies should provide their customers with images that explain how the animal is making use of a structure. They will also inform you on what needs to be fixed to ensure that your structure is wildlife-proof.
Gather Information on How the Issue will be Handled
Make sure you get the detailed information regarding how the issue will be resolved. You also want to know how the animals will be treated. Will the company kill the animals? If they make that decision, why? Are there offspring that will be left alone or orphaned? You also want to make sure you find out if the method they use will take care of the problem for the long term.
Stand Firm on Using Humane Techniques
If you are dealing with an animal(s) that are inside a structure, recommend that they use exclusion strategies to get rid of them. For example, the wildlife company can remove the animals hands-on or implement one-way doors. These tactics will result in the release of them outside the structure.
Watch out for Unexpected Fees
Make sure that you avoid signing a contract that consists of an open-ended clause. This means that the company can charge you for the removal of every animal that may be trapped on your property. Since this is a practice that is considered unethical, it will not get rid of the issue in the future.
Seek Referrals
Make sure that you get a hold of a company referral from a local wildlife rehabilitator, animal control company, or humane society. Be sure to ask these references how they came to the conclusion that this wildlife company practices services that are humane. You can also ask previous customers for references.
Additionally, you want to make sure that the company of your choosing is insured and licensed. You can do this by requesting written assurance that the practices of the company are in compliance with state, local, and federal laws. Confirm that the company is insured and has all required licenses.
Prevent Future Problems
Finally, you want to make sure that the wildlife removal company can provide a wide range of animal proofing services that come with a minimum one-year guarantee against recurrence. The job is not solved until the all-access and entry points have been identified and refitted with preventative material that will challenge wild animals.