When wildlife finds its way into your attic, crawlspace, or walls, it’s tempting to try and solve the problem yourself. You might think, “I’ll just set a trap and seal up the hole—how hard can it be?”
But at Freedom Wildlife Solutions & Pest Control, we’ve seen how do-it-yourself wildlife removal often goes wrong. Not only can it be dangerous—it can also lead to much higher costs, serious health risks, and even liability issues down the road.
Here’s why DIY wildlife control isn’t worth the risk—and why calling a trained professional for NC pest control and wildlife removal services is always the better (and often cheaper) option.
Wildlife Carries Serious Health Risks
Many homeowners don’t realize that wildlife issues aren’t just inconvenient—they can be hazardous to your health. Wild animals carry diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans and pets.
Common Zoonotic Disease Risks:
- Rabies – Found in raccoons, bats, and other mammals. A single bite or even potential exposure can lead to recommended rabies shots, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- Histoplasmosis – A fungal disease caused by breathing in spores from bat or bird droppings. Medical treatment can be expensive—and doesn’t account for lost work time.
- Roundworm – Found in raccoon feces, and extremely dangerous if accidentally ingested.
- Snakebites – If misidentifying or mishandling a venomous snake, antivenom treatment can cost thousands—and the effects can be life-threatening.
When you try to remove wildlife yourself, you’re putting yourself directly in harm’s way, often without realizing how dangerous the situation actually is.
Working at Heights for Wildlife Removal Is a Leading Cause of Injury
A large percentage of wildlife intrusions involve access points high on the home—such as rooflines, gable vents, soffits, chimneys, or ridge vents. That means working on a ladder or roof, often while handling tools or traps.
According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of workplace injury and death—and that’s among trained professionals.
Now imagine doing that work without the right training, fall protection gear, or safety knowledge.
Our NC pest control and wildlife removal team uses:
- Multi-position ladders and stabilizers
- Harnesses and roof safety equipment
- Proper footwear and tools designed for safe access
Your health and safety are worth more than a DIY risk. One misstep could result in a trip to the ER—or worse.
The Tools and Equipment for Pest Control & Wildlife Removal Add Up Fast
To do wildlife work right, you need more than a trap. Most DIYers underestimate just how many tools and materials are needed for even a small job.
Common Tools Used by Wildlife Removal Professionals:
- Traps, one-way doors, and bait stations
- Animal monitoring cameras
- Seal-up materials like heavy-gauge metal flashing
- Commercial-grade caulking and fasteners
- Sprayers, disinfectants, and odor neutralizers
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
By the time you purchase everything you need, you could’ve hired a pro who already has everything on the truck—and knows how to use it efficiently.
DIY Wildlife Removal Takes Much Longer
Even with the right tools, wildlife removal is not a one-and-done job. It’s a process.
DIYers often:
- Miss subtle signs of activity
- Underestimate the number of animals
- Seal up entry points too soon
- Forget to monitor traps or exclusion devices
- Spend weeks troubleshooting and redoing work
Meanwhile, the animals continue to cause damage, contaminate insulation, or bring in parasites. Time is valuable—and your evenings and weekends are better spent not chasing squirrels in your attic.
Wildlife Removal & Pest Control Mistakes Can Be Expensive (or Illegal)
One of the most common DIY mistakes we see? Sealing an animal inside the house.
When a homeowner finds an entry point and seals it up without checking for active animals inside, a few things can happen:
- The animal panics and causes more damage trying to escape
- It dies in the attic or wall, creating horrible smells and cleanup costs
- Babies are trapped while the mother is outside
- You violate wildlife laws (some species, like bats, can’t be excluded during maternity season)
What started as a $500 problem now becomes a multi-thousand-dollar repair job.
If Something Goes Wrong—You’re Liable
Here’s a risk most DIYers never think about:
If something goes wrong during a DIY job—whether you fall, break something, or end up needing remediation—you’re responsible for all the costs.
When you hire a licensed and insured wildlife control company like Freedom Wildlife Solutions:
- You get trained professionals who understand animal behavior and building structures
- We’re fully insured—so if anything unexpected happens, we cover the cost
- Our work is backed by service agreements, documentation, and real results
- We handle compliance with state wildlife laws, so you stay protected
You’re not just paying for the labor—you’re investing in peace of mind and professional accountability.
DIY Wildlife Removal Can Be More Expensive in the Long Run
Let’s say you spend $300 on traps, tools, and materials. You spend three weekends chasing squirrels, climbing ladders, and sealing holes. A month later, they’re back—and now the insulation is ruined and wires are chewed.
Now you’re paying:
- Wildlife removal: $600–$1,200
- Attic cleanup or remediation: $1,000–$10,000
- Electrical repairs: $500+
- Medical bills (if exposed): Varies
- Your time: Priceless
What you thought would save money has now cost significantly more than hiring a pro to do it right the first time.
Leave Wildlife Removal to the Experts
At Freedom Wildlife Solutions & Pest Control, we’re trained, equipped, and ready to solve your wildlife problem safely and efficiently. We don’t guess—we inspect, document, remove, repair, and prevent.
We’re veteran-owned, 5-star rated, and licensed Wildlife Control Agents serving the entire Triangle area.
Call the Professionals at Freedom Wildlife Solutions & Pest Control
If you think you have wildlife in your home, skip the DIY stress and get it handled the right way.
Call us today or schedule your inspection online.
Save your time. Protect your home. And keep yourself out of the ER.
