Table of Contents

• Key Points
• Understanding Greenville’s Wildlife Landscape
• Why Professional Wildlife Extraction is Essential
• What to Expect From Quality Wildlife Control Services
• Choosing a Wildlife Extraction Service in Greenville
• Preventing Wildlife Infestations
• Find Wildlife Removal Services Near You
• References

Key Points

When it comes to wildlife, the line between charming visitors and unwelcome intruders can blur quickly. Did you know that raccoons, often spotted rummaging through trash cans, are capable of carrying over 13 zoonotic diseases, including rabies and leptospirosis?¹ That’s not just a nuisance—it is a health risk. 

Whether there are squirrels in the attic or skunks under the porch, wildlife conflicts are more common than ever as urbanization encroaches on natural habitats.² This blog dives into how professional wildlife control services can help you reclaim your space safely and humanely, while protecting both your family and the local ecosystem. Ready to learn how to do critter control? Let’s jump in!

Understanding Greenville’s Wildlife Landscape

Greenville’s unique ecosystem provides a home to a diverse array of wildlife. Some of the main species you will find include:

• Armadillos: Armadillos are avid diggers, constantly searching for insects and grubs, which can cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, and landscaping. They are also known to carry leprosy.³
• Bats: While beneficial for insect control, bats can become a nuisance when they roost in attics or walls. Their droppings (guano) pose health risks and require thorough cleanup. 
• Beavers: Beavers fell trees to build dams and lodges. This can lead to flooding of roads or agricultural land. Beaver activity can also cause blockages in culverts and drainage systems. 
• Birds: While generally harmless, birds can cause problems when they nest in gutters or vents. They can also spread diseases and damage property with droppings. 
• Coyotes: Coyotes are natural predators and pose a threat to pets, especially small dogs and cats. They are a particular threat to livestock in more rural areas. While rare, coyotes can attack small children as well. 
• Feral hogs: Feral hogs can cause extensive environmental damage, disrupting soil and water sources, and destroying vegetation. They can also damage fencing and other structures. In fact, wild pigs are such a problem that many states, including South Carolina, have lifted any hunting restrictions on the animals to help control the ever-growing populations.⁴
• Foxes: Foxes can be a threat to small animals, but the main problems they cause include digging dens in yards and rummaging through garbage. They can also carry diseases, including rabies. 
• Groundhogs and moles: Groundhogs create extensive underground systems with multiple entrances. These burrows can undermine foundations, patios, driveways, and even building structures, leading to costly damage. 
• Opossums: Opossums are nocturnal marsupials that often scavenge for food in garbage cans and under decks. Like many wild animals, opossums can carry diseases and parasites, including fleas, ticks, and mites.
• Raccoons: Known for their intelligence and adaptability, raccoons often seek shelter in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces, leading to building damage and the threat of foul odors from their droppings.
• Rodents (Rats and Mice): These pests can quickly multiply and contaminate food sources, posing health risks.
• Skunks: A skunk’s main nuisance is the unpleasant odor that comes from their notorious defense mechanism. They can also cause damage from digging in lawns and gardens, and it is possible for them to carry diseases that pose serious health risks to humans. 
• Snakes: Various snake species, including venomous copperheads, can be found in Greenville’s wooded areas and residential neighborhoods. While nonvenomous species are generally harmless, they can be an unsavory addition to a backyard gathering.
• Squirrels: These agile rodents can cause significant damage to wiring and insulation as they build nests in homes.

Why Professional Wildlife Extraction is Essential

Attempting to remove wildlife on your own can be risky and ineffective. It can also potentially violate federal, state, or local laws. Here’s why professional wildlife extraction is crucial:

• Safety: Wildlife can be unpredictable and aggressive, especially when cornered or protecting their young. Professionals have the training and equipment to handle animals, minimizing the risk of bites, scratches, and other injuries.
• Proper Identification: Identifying the specific animal is essential for effective removal and prevention. Professionals can accurately identify species and understand their behavior patterns.
• Humane Removal: Ethical wildlife extraction prioritizes the well-being of the animals. Professionals use humane methods to capture and remove wildlife, avoiding unnecessary harm or suffering. In most cases, state law determines whether animals should be relocated or euthanized, and a good pest control company will follow these exactly.
• Damage Assessment and Repair: Wildlife infestations often cause damage to homes, including chewed wires, torn insulation, and contaminated droppings. Professionals can assess the damage and recommend necessary repairs.
• Prevention Strategies: Simply removing the animal is often not enough. Professionals can identify entry points and implement preventative measures to stop future infestations.
• Legal Compliance: Certain wildlife species are protected by federal and state laws.⁵ As mentioned, professionals are knowledgeable about regulations and ensure that all removal activities are legal and ethical.
• Disease Prevention: Many wild animals carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets. Professionals take precautions to minimize the risk of disease transmission.

What to Expect From Quality Wildlife Control Services

When you hire a reputable wildlife extraction service in Greenville, SC, you are signing up for the following services:

• Inspection: A thorough inspection of your property to identify the animal, its entry points, and the extent of the infestation is the first phase. This allows pest control experts to assess the extent of the problem and formulate solutions. 
• Humane Capture: Technicians will have appropriate traps and techniques to safely capture the animal.
• Relocation: A pest control service will know how to safely and legally transport the animal to a suitable habitat away from residential areas. In instances where state laws require wild animals to be euthanized, removal services will have practices in place to do so humanely.
• Sanitization: Technicians will clean and disinfect affected areas to remove droppings and other contaminants.
• Exclusion: Most quality wildlife removal services will seal entry points and implement other preventative measures to stop future infestations.
• Damage Repair: Some services are prepared to repair damage caused by the animal, such as chewed wires or torn insulation.
• Follow-up: A quality pest control company will recommend follow-up inspections to ensure the problem has been completely resolved.

Choosing a Wildlife Extraction Service in Greenville

When selecting a wildlife extraction service in Greenville, SC, consider the following factors:

• Experience and Expertise: Look for a company with a proven track record and experienced technicians.
• Humane Practices: Ensure that the company uses humane methods to capture and relocate wildlife.
• Licensing and Insurance: Verify that the company is properly licensed and insured by all relevant state or local agencies.
• Reputation: Read online reviews and testimonials to assess the company’s reputation.
• Pricing: Obtain quotes from multiple companies and compare their services and prices.
• Warranty: Ask about warranties on both wildlife removal services and repairs.
• Emergency Services: Determine if the company offers 24/7 emergency services.
• Local Knowledge: A final criterion is that the company knows and understands local wildlife, including relevant laws and regulations. Understanding regional animal behaviors, the specific challenges caused by the climate, and the local regulations, is vital. 

Preventing Wildlife Infestations

There are a few DIY preventative measures that can help home or business owners minimize the risk of wildlife infestations:

• Seal Entry Points: Plug cracks and holes in your building’s foundation, walls, and roof.
• Trim Trees and Shrubs: Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from your home to prevent animals from accessing your roof.
• Secure Garbage Cans: Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids that cannot be easily knocked over.
• Remove Food Sources: Avoid leaving pet food or other food sources outside.
• Maintain Your Yard: Keep your yard clean and free of debris.
• Inspect Regularly: Periodically inspect your property for signs of wildlife activity.
• Install Chimney Caps: Install chimney caps to prevent animals from entering your chimney.
• Use Hardware Cloth: Install hardware cloth over vents and other openings.

Find Wildlife Removal Services Near You

Dealing with unwanted wildlife can be a stressful experience, but professional wildlife extraction services in Greenville, SC, can provide safe, humane, and effective solutions. By understanding the local wildlife, taking preventative measures, and choosing a reputable service, you can protect your home and ensure the well-being of our wild neighbors.

At Precision Pest & Wildlife Removal, we offer a wide variety of pest control and prevention services to address almost any wildlife issue. Our experienced technicians can help you quickly and effectively address your wildlife or other pest problems. Contact us today for the best wildlife removal Greenville SC has to offer.

References

1. “Raccoons and Wildlife,” King County (WA) Government,https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/disease-illness/zoonotic-diseases/diseases-by-animal/raccoons.
2. Daria Corcos, Pierfilippo Cerretti, Valerio Caruso, et al., “Impact of Urbanization on Predator and Parasitoid Insects at Multiple Spatial Scales,” PLoS One, April 2019, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6447152/.
3. Ilanna Vanessa Pristo de Medeiros Oliveira, Patrícia Duarte Deps, and João Marcelo Azevedo de Paula Antunes, “Armadillos and Leprosy: From Infection to Biological Model,” Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, September 2019, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6746198/.
4. “Wild Pigs,” South Carolina Species Information, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, retrieved on April 14, 2025, from: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/publications/nuisance/wildpigs.pdf.
5. “South Carolina Natural Heritage Program,” South Carolina Heritage Trust Program, retrieved on April 14, 2025, from: https://natural-heritage-program-scdnr.hub.arcgis.com/.