When to Call an Exterminator vs. a Wildlife Removal Company

When you hear scratching in the attic or see something dart across your floor, your first instinct might be to call for help—but who should you call? An exterminator? Or a wildlife removal company?

The answer depends on what kind of pest you’re dealing with and how the problem should be handled. Understanding the difference between extermination and wildlife removal can help you take the right steps to protect your home, family, and even the animals themselves.

In this post, we’ll explain the key differences between exterminators and wildlife removal companies and help you know when to call which professional.

The Key Difference: Pests vs. Wildlife

At first glance, both exterminators and wildlife removal experts deal with unwanted animals—but they specialize in very different types of intruders.

• Exterminators are trained to handle insects and small pests that reproduce quickly and live in large numbers. Think ants, roaches, termites, fleas, and mice.
• Wildlife removal specialists focus on larger, often solitary animals like raccoons, squirrels, bats, opossums, skunks, and birds. These are typically wild animals that accidentally wander into human spaces.

While there’s some overlap—such as rats and mice, which some exterminators and wildlife pros both handle—the approach and purpose are usually quite different.

When to Call an Exterminator

Call an exterminator if you’re dealing with:

1. Insects or Bugs in the Home

Roaches in the kitchen? Ants in the pantry? Bed bugs in the bedroom? These are classic exterminator jobs. Exterminators are equipped with the chemicals and tools to identify, treat, and prevent insect infestations.

2. Widespread Infestations

Exterminators are best for pests that live and reproduce in colonies. If you see one cockroach, there are likely dozens more hiding nearby. Exterminators are trained to locate nests and treat the entire infestation at its source.

3. Rodent Infestations (Mice or Rats)

Some exterminators specialize in rodent control, especially when the problem is inside walls, ceilings, or crawl spaces. If you're seeing droppings, hearing gnawing sounds, or spotting chewed wires, an exterminator may offer baiting and trapping solutions.

4. Pest Prevention

Many exterminators offer quarterly pest control plans that treat the perimeter of your home to prevent future insect and rodent problems.

In short: If it’s an infestation of bugs or small rodents inside your home, an exterminator is likely the right call.

When to Call a Wildlife Removal Company

Call a wildlife specialist if you’re dealing with:

1. Larger Wild Animals

Raccoons in the attic, squirrels in the soffit, bats in the chimney, or a possum under your deck? These animals require safe, humane removal, often in accordance with local wildlife laws. A wildlife removal expert knows how to remove and relocate these animals safely.

2. Seasonal Animal Activity

In spring and fall, many animals look for a warm place to nest or raise their young. Your attic, chimney, or crawlspace can seem like the perfect shelter. Wildlife pros can identify signs of nesting, remove animals without harming them, and ensure that babies aren’t left behind.

3. Dead Animal Odors

A terrible smell in your walls or under your floorboards could be a deceased animal. Wildlife removal experts can locate and remove the carcass and clean the area to prevent contamination or attracting other pests.

4. Damage to Your Home

Wildlife animals often tear through insulation, ductwork, siding, and vents to get inside your home. A professional wildlife removal company not only gets the animals out but also offers exclusion services—sealing entry points and repairing damage to keep them from coming back.

5. Protected or Regulated Species

Bats, certain birds, and even some squirrel species are protected under local or federal law. Removing them without proper knowledge or permits can result in fines. Wildlife professionals understand these regulations and handle removal in a legal, ethical way.

In short:  If you’re dealing with wild animals (especially larger or protected species), call a wildlife removal company that knows how to handle the job humanely and legally.

What Happens If You Call the Wrong One?

Calling the wrong professional won’t necessarily harm your situation, but it can waste time and money. For example:

• An exterminator may not be equipped to trap a raccoon or deal with baby squirrels in your attic.
• A wildlife removal expert won’t be able to spray for cockroaches or treat termite damage.

If you're unsure what kind of animal you're dealing with, many wildlife removal companies offer free inspections or can help you identify the problem based on signs like droppings, sounds, damage, or footprints.

Combo Situations: When You Might Need Both

There are cases when both an exterminator and a wildlife removal expert are needed. For example:

• A family of raccoons damages your attic insulation, and a follow-up mouse infestation moves in.
• Bats are removed from your attic, but bugs that feed on their droppings are left behind.
• A dead animal in your walls attracts flies or beetles.

In these cases, wildlife specialists often work in tandem with pest control companies to clean up, repair, and sanitize after the animals are removed—and to prevent future pest issues.

Choosing the Right Professional

Here’s a quick summary to help you decide: