When wildlife invades your home, your first instinct might be to handle the problem yourself. After all, there’s an abundance of DIY solutions and traps readily available. However, tackling wildlife removal on your own can lead to serious health, safety, and property risks. At Two Guys Wildlife Removal, we’ve seen firsthand the complications that arise from DIY attempts. Here’s why calling a professional is always the safer, more effective option.
1. Health Risks from Wildlife
Wild animals, including squirrels, rats, raccoons, and bats, can carry diseases that pose serious health risks to humans. For example:
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Rats can spread hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella through their droppings, urine, and bites.
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Raccoons are known carriers of rabies and roundworm, which can be fatal if transmitted.
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Bats can spread rabies and carry histoplasmosis, a fungal infection associated with bat droppings.
Attempting to trap or handle these animals without proper protective gear and knowledge exposes you to these harmful pathogens. Professionals like the team at Two Guys Wildlife Removal are trained to handle wildlife safely and use the appropriate equipment to prevent exposure to dangerous diseases.
2. Injuries from Improper Handling
Wild animals are unpredictable. When threatened, they can become aggressive and lash out. Squirrels may bite, raccoons can scratch, and stinging insects like wasps can swarm. Without the right experience, trying to corner or trap an animal can quickly result in injuries.
For example:
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Bites and Scratches: Wild animals, even small ones like squirrels, can inflict painful bites or scratches if they feel trapped.
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Stings: Disturbing a wasp or hornet nest without the proper precautions can lead to painful, and in some cases, life-threatening stings.
A professional wildlife removal service has the tools, training, and techniques to safely trap and remove wildlife without risking injury to you or the animal.
3. Ineffective Removal and Recurring Infestations
DIY wildlife removal methods often provide only temporary relief. Store-bought traps may catch one or two animals, but they don’t address the root cause of the problem. Wildlife often finds its way into homes through hidden entry points in attics, basements, or walls.
Without addressing these vulnerabilities:
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The same animals may return after you’ve removed them.
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Other animals may find their way into your home through the same entry points.
At Two Guys Wildlife Removal, we not only remove the animals but also provide exclusion repairs to seal off any entry points. This prevents wildlife from returning, giving you long-term peace of mind.
4. Improper Use of Traps and Poisons
Some DIY wildlife removal solutions involve using traps or poisons. While these may seem like easy fixes, they often lead to more problems:
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Traps: Improper use of traps can result in harm to the animal or to yourself. For example, live traps must be handled with care to ensure the safe relocation of the animal. Failure to do so can result in injuries to both you and the trapped animal.
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Poisons: Using poisons to deal with rodents or other pests can be extremely dangerous. Not only can poisons be harmful to pets and children if not used properly, but they can also lead to animals dying in hard-to-reach areas of your home, creating serious sanitation problems.
Licensed professionals, like those at Two Guys Wildlife Removal, use humane and safe methods for trapping and removing animals. We ensure that both the animal and your household are protected during the removal process.
5. Lack of Sanitation and Cleaning
Removing the animal is only part of the solution. Wild animals leave behind waste, fur, and nesting materials that can carry harmful bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens. If you don’t clean the affected area thoroughly, these contaminants can continue to pose health risks even after the animals are gone.
For example:
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Rodent Droppings: Leftover droppings from rats and mice can harbor dangerous bacteria like salmonella, which can contaminate surfaces and food.
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Nests: Wildlife nests are often full of parasites like fleas and mites that can infest your home if not properly cleaned.
At Two Guys Wildlife Removal, we provide sanitation services as part of our wildlife removal process. We clean and disinfect the areas affected by the wildlife to eliminate any remaining health hazards.
6. Damage to Property
Animals like raccoons, squirrels, and rats can cause significant damage to your home as they try to gain entry. Squirrels, for instance, may chew through wires, leading to fire hazards, while raccoons can tear through insulation and roofing materials.
DIY removal methods often overlook these hidden damages, allowing the problem to persist long after the animals are gone. Professional wildlife removal services include property inspections to assess the damage caused by the animals and recommend necessary repairs to prevent further issues.
7. Legal Restrictions
Certain wildlife species are protected by law, meaning it’s illegal to harm or remove them without proper licensing. For example, bats are protected in many areas because of their important role in the ecosystem. Removing them without following legal guidelines could result in hefty fines.
Professionals like the team at Two Guys Wildlife Removal are licensed and knowledgeable about the local laws regarding wildlife removal. We ensure that all removal processes are in compliance with regulations, so you don’t have to worry about unintentionally breaking the law.
Conclusion
While it may be tempting to try wildlife removal on your own, the risks far outweigh the potential savings. From health hazards to ineffective solutions and legal concerns, DIY wildlife removal can lead to more harm than good. By calling a professional like Two Guys Wildlife Removal, you ensure that the job is done safely, humanely, and effectively.
Our experienced team serves Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the surrounding areas, offering fast, affordable, and professional wildlife removal services. Don’t take chances with your safety or your home—contact us at (757) 943-4172 for a free estimate and let the professionals handle your wildlife problem.
