If you have unwanted wildlife trying to live in or around your home, asking Alexa to send you the closest company to remove them may be easy. Unfortunately, this may not be the company you need to do the job. Not every exterminator is suitable for every situation. There are some criteria you may want to sort them by when choosing the right one. Here are a few suggestions. 

1. Type of Wildlife

Numerous types of nuisance wildlife occasionally invade your space. Some of these can be extremely dangerous, especially when approached incorrectly. Others carry deadly diseases or engage in extensive property damage. Some of the most common nuisance wildlife include the following:

• Skunks
• Raccoons
• Bats
• Squirrels
• Rats
• Snakes
• Birds
• Bees

There may be others, depending on where you live in the country. Not every company is prepared to remove every type of wildlife. For example, a company specializing in removing bees may not be comfortable removing bats, rats, or squirrels. Look for companies that specialize in the removal of your specific species.

2. Time Frame

Most people want the nuisance wildlife removed as quickly as possible, but some nuisance invasions pose a danger that needs emergency removal. If this is the case, you will want to find a company that offers emergency services. Some exterminators are actually on call 24 hours per day. You can schedule other non-emergency appointments through most companies' websites online.

Just know that certain species are nocturnal. While the company may set traps during the day, the actual capture may only occur after dark when the animals start moving.

3. Removal and Relocation Versus Extermination

When searching for residential wildlife removal in your area, look for a company that will humanely remove the animals from your home and relocates them to a safe space. Insist on live trapping and release versus extermination. It is not the animal's fault that they are not welcome in your area. 

Most humane exterminators will relocate any animal not infected with rabies or other serious diseases. If they suspect an animal is rabies positive, they will have it tested before being humanely euthanized. 

4. Damage Remediation

When wildlife invades your space, they often cause significant damages that many times serve as their ingress or egress. Repairing or at least addressing these damages will prevent the animals from reentering your home. 

Some companies will perform these repairs along with cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting the affected areas. Other companies will not. Which company you choose will depend on your comfort level in doing these tasks or hiring someone else to perform them once the exterminator in your area removes the animals. For more information, contact a local exterminator in your area.