When you hear scratching in the attic or spot a raccoon rummaging through your garbage, your first instinct might be to handle the situation yourself. After all, how hard could it be to chase away a squirrel or patch up a hole?
The truth is, DIY wildlife removal can lead to serious consequences, both for you and the animal. Without proper training and equipment, homeowners expose themselves to injury, disease, and even legal trouble. That’s why professional wildlife control is not just the safer option, it’s the smarter one.
Risk #1: Physical Injury
Wild animals may appear calm or frightened, but when cornered, they can become highly aggressive. Raccoons, squirrels, skunks, groundhogs, and bats will bite, scratch, or claw when they feel threatened.
Even something as seemingly harmless as a squirrel can cause severe lacerations or infections. Raccoons and skunks have powerful jaws and strong claws. Trying to remove them without proper gloves, traps, or knowledge of their behavior increases the risk of being seriously hurt.
Ladders, crawlspaces, and tight attic spaces also pose fall hazards during removal attempts. Every year, thousands of homeowners end up in the emergency room after slipping from a roof or attic while attempting wildlife control on their own.
Risk #2: Exposure to Disease and Parasites
One of the greatest hidden dangers of DIY wildlife removal is the risk of disease transmission. Wild animals often carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be passed to humans and pets.
Common wildlife-borne illnesses include:
- Rabies (commonly found in raccoons, bats, and skunks)
- Leptospirosis
- Histoplasmosis (from bat or bird droppings)
- Roundworms and tapeworms
- Ticks and fleas carrying Lyme disease and other infections
Many of these diseases can be transmitted through a bite, scratch, or even airborne particles from urine and feces. Without protective equipment and proper containment procedures, homeowners put their health and their family’s health at risk.
Risk #3: Unintended Consequences
Removing a wild animal might seem like the end of the problem, but wildlife removal requires more than just eviction. Animals often return if the original entry point isn’t sealed properly, or if their scent remains in the area.
Even worse, homeowners may unknowingly separate a mother from her babies, leaving behind orphaned animals that will die in walls or ceilings, causing odor issues and secondary infestations from maggots, flies, or other scavengers.
Professionals know how to assess the full situation: checking for nests, identifying entry points, and ensuring safe, humane, and permanent solutions.
Risk #4: Legal and Ethical Issues
In many states, wildlife removal is heavily regulated. Certain animals, especially bats, are protected by law, and removing them outside of designated seasons can result in steep fines.
Some species cannot be killed, trapped, or relocated without permits, and using inhumane methods may violate both local and federal laws.
By hiring a professional wildlife control company like A Plus Wildlife, you ensure compliance with all wildlife protection laws while using ethical, humane methods of removal.
Why Choose Professional Wildlife Control?
Here’s what you get when you leave wildlife removal to trained experts:
- Proper identification of species and nesting patterns
- Safe, humane removal techniques that reduce animal stress
- Biohazard cleaning to remove droppings, urine, and contaminated materials
- Entry point sealing to prevent future intrusions
- Legal compliance with wildlife and conservation laws
Most importantly, you get peace of mind knowing the job is done right and that your family and home are safe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is it dangerous to remove wildlife from my home on my own?
DIY wildlife removal puts you at risk for bites, scratches, falls, and exposure to diseases like rabies and histoplasmosis. Without the proper tools or training, you could also unintentionally separate animals from their young or create future infestations by missing entry points.
2. What diseases can I catch from wild animals in my attic or crawlspace?
Common diseases include rabies, leptospirosis, histoplasmosis (from bat or bird droppings), and roundworms. Wildlife can also carry fleas, ticks, and mites that spread to humans and pets.
3. Can I legally remove animals like bats or raccoons myself?
In many states, certain species such as bats are protected by law, and removing them during restricted seasons can lead to fines. Raccoons and other animals may also require permits or specific methods for legal removal. Hiring professional wildlife control ensures you’re compliant with local regulations.
4. What happens if I trap and relocate the animal myself?
Trapping and relocating animals without addressing the entry point or removing attractants means they, or others, will likely return. Additionally, relocating animals far from their habitat can be illegal and inhumane, often leading to their death.
5. What does professional wildlife control include?
A reputable wildlife control service like A Plus Wildlife will:
- Inspect your property
- Humanely remove the animal(s)
- Sanitize contaminated areas
- Seal entry points
- Offer long-term prevention solutions
This approach protects both you and the animal while ensuring the problem doesn’t come back.
Don’t Risk It — Call the Pros
At A Plus Wildlife, we’ve seen the aftermath of DIY gone wrong, from infected bite wounds to raccoons tearing back into the attic just days after a homeowner “sealed it up.” Our trained technicians use the latest equipment and humane strategies to protect your home and health.
When you’re dealing with unwanted wildlife, don’t take chances. Professional wildlife control isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Call A Plus Wildlife today for safe, effective, and reliable wildlife removal you can trust.