Understanding the Differences Between Municipal Animal Control and For-Hire Wildlife Control Services

When it comes to dealing with animals in urban or suburban settings, there are two main types of services available: municipal animal control and for-hire wildlife control. While they may seem similar at first glance, they differ in scope, responsibility, and the costs involved. Understanding these differences is crucial when you encounter wildlife issues at home or in your community.

Municipal Animal Control: What You Need to Know

Municipal animal control is a service provided by local government agencies (cities, towns, or counties) to manage and respond to issues involving stray or domesticated animals, such as dogs and cats. Their main focus is typically on animal welfare, public safety, and enforcing laws that regulate pet ownership. Municipal animal control officers are usually responsible for responding to calls about:

  • Stray pets

  • Animal cruelty or neglect

  • Public safety concerns involving pets

  • Animal bites and diseases

In most cases, municipal animal control does not handle issues involving wildlife. Instead, they are often focused on managing domesticated animals, and their jurisdiction is limited to animals that are specifically identified under local laws, such as pets. Wildlife, including raccoons, squirrels, opossums, or bats, is often left to specialized professionals.

For-Hire Wildlife Control: Professional Help for Nuisance Wildlife

For-hire wildlife control, on the other hand, is a specialized service provided by licensed nuisance wildlife control operators (NWCOs) who are experts in managing nuisance wildlife. These professionals are not employed by municipalities or government agencies. They are independent contractors or employees of private companies, and they typically charge for their services.

Why do wildlife control operators charge for their services? The short answer is that wildlife control involves specialized knowledge, equipment, and time. Wildlife control operators are trained to humanely and safely capture and relocate animals that pose a threat to property, public health, or safety. They also provide services such as:

  • Identifying potential entry points for wildlife

  • Trapping and removing animals that have invaded homes or businesses

  • Relocating animals to appropriate habitats

  • Offering exclusion services to prevent future wildlife intrusions

  • Providing advice on how to safely handle wildlife encounters

Since these services require knowledge of local wildlife laws, the skills to safely handle animals, and equipment (traps, cages, etc.), it’s understandable why these services are not free. They often also involve a risk to the health and safety of the wildlife control operator, so the cost of these services ensures the worker's safety, and often includes a guarantee of the work performed.

Licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators: How to Find Help in Indiana and Kentucky

If you're dealing with a nuisance wildlife issue in your area, it's essential to find a licensed and reputable wildlife control operator to address the situation. In both Indiana and Kentucky, wildlife control operators must be properly licensed to ensure they are following local and state laws and providing humane, ethical services.

To find a list of licensed nuisance wildlife control operators in your area, here are some resources:

  • Indiana: You can visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website and look for licensed wildlife control operators (NWCOs). They maintain a directory of licensed professionals who are authorized to handle wildlife issues across the state. You can access this list by visiting the Indiana DNR's "Nuisance Wildlife Control" section on their website.

    https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/living-with-wildlife/nuisance-wildlife-control-operators/

  • Kentucky: In Kentucky, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) offers a similar service by listing licensed wildlife control operators. You can find the list of licensed operators on the KDFWR website under the "Wildlife Control" section.

    https://app.fw.ky.gov/NuisanceControl/

Why Nuisance Wildlife Control, LLC is the GO-TO Service in Evansville, Indiana, and Surrounding Communities

For residents in Evansville, Indiana, and the surrounding communities, Nuisance Wildlife Control, LLC is the trusted name when it comes to wildlife removal and management. Whether you're dealing with squirrels in your attic, raccoons rummaging through your trash, or bats in your walls, Nuisance Wildlife Control offers safe, humane, and professional solutions to help resolve your wildlife issues quickly and efficiently.

With years of experience and a deep understanding of local wildlife, Nuisance Wildlife Control offers services that include:

  • Humane wildlife removal

  • Exclusion services to prevent future infestations

  • Property inspections to identify potential entry points

  • Advice on keeping your home or business safe from wildlife intrusions

The experts at Nuisance Wildlife Control, LLC are fully licensed and trained to handle all types of wildlife-related concerns, and they take pride in their prompt, professional service. If you're in need of wildlife control services in Evansville or surrounding areas, don't hesitate to contact them at 812-801-7712 or visit their website at www.nuisancewildlifectrl.com.

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