Northern Michigan is home to an abundance of wildlife—from raccoons and squirrels to bats, skunks, and more. While sharing our environment with these animals is part of the charm of living in the Traverse City area, problems arise when wildlife finds its way into homes, attics, basements, or crawl spaces. In such situations, it might be tempting to tackle the problem yourself. However, DIY wildlife removal can be dangerous, ineffective, and even illegal. Here’s why professional wildlife removal is the safer and smarter choice.
Health and Safety Risks
Wild animals carry diseases, parasites, and bacteria that can pose serious health threats to humans and pets. Raccoons, for example, are known carriers of rabies and raccoon roundworm, while bats can spread histoplasmosis through their droppings. Attempting to handle or trap these animals without proper training and protective gear exposes you to bites, scratches, and contamination.
Professional wildlife technicians are trained to safely identify, handle, and remove animals with minimal risk. They use specialized equipment and follow strict safety protocols to protect themselves and your family.
Risk of Injury or Property Damage
Wild animals become unpredictable when cornered or threatened. DIY trapping attempts can lead to aggressive animal behavior, causing injuries or additional damage to your home. Improper handling can also separate baby animals from their mothers, leading to even more problems later on.
Professionals not only remove animals safely but also assess your home for damage, such as chewed wires, insulation contamination, or structural issues—issues that untrained individuals might overlook.
Legal Considerations
Many species in Michigan are protected by state and federal laws that regulate how and when they can be removed. For example, bats cannot be removed during certain times of the year due to their breeding cycle. Mishandling wildlife can result in fines or legal action, even if the removal was unintentional or done with good intentions.
Licensed wildlife control companies are well-versed in local wildlife laws and always operate in compliance with them, ensuring ethical and legal removal methods.
Long-Term Solutions
DIY methods often focus on removing the animal but don’t address how or why the animal got into your home in the first place. Without sealing entry points or correcting attractants, the problem is likely to recur.
Professional wildlife control includes a comprehensive approach: identifying entry points, providing exclusion services, repairing damage, and offering cleanup and sanitization services to restore your home’s safety and integrity.
Peace of Mind
There’s no substitute for experience when it comes to handling wildlife. Hiring a professional gives you the peace of mind that the problem is being handled thoroughly and humanely, without putting you or your property at risk.
At Critter Control of Traverse City, our team is trained, licensed, and equipped to deal with all types of nuisance wildlife. We combine local knowledge with nationally backed standards to deliver safe, effective, and permanent solutions. Contact us today!