FAQ
Common questions about wildlife removal in Utah, answered without the upsell.
Bat Removal
Are bats protected in Utah?
Yes. All Utah bat species are protected under Utah Division of Wildlife Resources rules. Killing or harming bats is illegal. Humane exclusion is the only legal way to remove a colony from a structure.
Why is bat guano dangerous?
Guano accumulates rapidly and can corrode metal, stain surfaces, and emit a strong odor. It can also harbor Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus that causes respiratory illness. We perform complete guano removal and decontamination using HEPA vacuums and full PPE.
How do you exclude bats?
We seal every entry point except the main exit, then install a one-way device that lets bats fly out at dusk but blocks re-entry. After the colony is fully out (typically a few days), we seal the final exit and warranty the work.
What does the warranty cover?
Every Utah Wildlife Specialists exclusion is covered under a written warranty. If bats return through any opening we sealed, we come back at no charge.
How much does bat removal cost?
Pricing depends on building size, colony size, and the extent of guano cleanup. We provide a free estimate. Call (801) 675-8829 to schedule an inspection.
When is bat exclusion done in Utah?
Bat maternity season runs roughly mid-May through mid-August. During that period, exclusion is restricted because flightless pups would be trapped inside. We schedule exclusions before mid-May or after mid-August. Inspection and planning can happen any time.
Pigeon Control
Why are pigeon droppings a problem?
They are acidic and corrode metal roofing, gutters, signage, and HVAC components. They are also a slip hazard and a respiratory health risk because of the fungi and bacteria they harbor.
Will the pigeons come back?
Pigeons are persistent. The right deterrent system, properly installed, breaks the roosting cycle. Our deterrent installations are backed by a written warranty.
Do you handle commercial properties?
Yes. We service warehouses, parking decks, sign frames, agricultural facilities, and HOA-managed buildings across Utah.
How much does pigeon control cost?
Pricing depends on the size of the area and the type of exclusion needed. We provide a free estimate. Call (801) 675-8829.
Solar Panel Critter Guard
Why do animals get under solar panels?
The 4-6 inch gap between the panel and the roof is warm, sheltered, and predator-free. Pigeons nest there in spring, and squirrels chew wires looking for nesting material year-round.
Will the guards damage my roof?
No. Guards clip directly onto the aluminum panel frame with stainless clips. We do not drill, screw, or otherwise penetrate the roof or the panels.
Will the guards void my solar warranty?
No. Because we attach to the frame rather than the panel, our installation is non-invasive and does not void manufacturer warranties. Always confirm with your installer if you have questions.
How long does installation take?
Most residential systems take a single half-day visit. Cleanup adds time depending on how long the wildlife has been there.
Raccoon Control
How do raccoons get into an attic?
They pull open soffits, fascia boards, or attic vents. A determined raccoon can defeat a hardware-cloth-screened vent in minutes if it has been weakened. Spring is the most common nesting season.
Are your methods humane?
Yes. We use live trapping or hand removal, and for mothers with kits we reunite the litter outside in a den box rather than separating them.
How much does raccoon removal cost?
We provide a free estimate. Pricing depends on entry-point complexity and whether attic remediation is required.
How fast can you respond?
Same-day appointments are available across Utah. Call (801) 675-8829 to schedule an inspection.
Squirrel Removal
Why are squirrels in my attic a problem?
Squirrels chew on electrical wires, which can cause wire damage and electrical fires. They also damage framing, fascia, and stored items, and a squirrel that dies inside the walls creates an unbearable smell.
How do you remove squirrels?
We use humane live trapping and one-way exclusion devices that let squirrels exit but block them from returning. After they are out we seal the entry points.
Do you clean up after the squirrels?
Yes. We clean up droppings and urine and decontaminate damaged insulation so the affected areas are safe to use again.
How fast can you respond?
Same-day appointments are available across Utah. Call (801) 675-8829.
Are you licensed?
Yes. Utah Wildlife Specialists is licensed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and our technicians are background-checked and fully insured.
Skunk Removal
Are skunks in Utah a rabies risk?
Yes. Skunks are one of the primary rabies carriers in Utah. You should never approach a skunk yourself. Call a professional and keep pets and children inside until the skunk is removed.
How do you trap skunks without getting sprayed?
We use spray-proof live traps designed for skunk removal. The skunk can be removed humanely without releasing its scent.
Why are skunks under my deck or shed?
Decks, sheds, and porch foundations offer dark, sheltered den sites. Skunks dig in to bear young in spring. After we remove them we seal the foundation gaps.
Do you handle the skunk smell too?
Yes. We treat residual odor and clean the den area as part of skunk removal so the smell does not linger.
Bird Control
What are the signs of a bird in my vent?
Chirping or rustling from the dryer, bathroom, or kitchen vent. Reduced dryer performance. Unusual smells. If you hear it inside the wall, the nest is already in the vent line.
Why is a bird-blocked vent a fire hazard?
Nesting material blocks airflow. A dryer running into a blocked vent overheats and the nest is dry, flammable kindling. Vent capping eliminates the recurring risk.
Will deterrents harm the birds?
No. Spike strips and netting prevent landing without injuring the birds. Rotating spinners scare them off without contact. We do not use poisons.
How fast can you respond?
Same-day appointments are available across Utah. Call (801) 675-8829.
Vole Removal
How do I tell voles from gophers or moles?
Voles leave surface runways through grass (looks like someone laid garden hose down and pulled it up). Gophers leave fan-shaped soil mounds. Moles leave volcano-shaped mounds. Voles also chew bark on young trees; gophers and moles do not.
Why is vole damage worst in spring?
Voles tunnel under snow cover all winter, protected from predators. When the snow melts you discover the runways and the girdled tree bark all at once.
Are your methods safe for pets and kids?
Yes. We use locked, tamper-resistant bait stations and place traps inside runway tunnels. Every technician is background-checked and fully insured.
Will the voles come back?
Vole populations cycle. We knock down the active population and remove the habitat features that brought them in. If they return we will too.
Gopher Removal
How do I know it is a gopher and not a mole or a vole?
Gophers leave fan-shaped or kidney-shaped soil mounds with a plug in the center. Moles leave volcano-shaped mounds. Voles do not mound at all - they make surface runways through grass.
Are your methods safe for pets and kids?
Yes. We trap inside tunnel systems, so traps are not exposed to surface animals. We do not use surface bait.
How fast can you respond?
Same-day appointments are available across Utah. Call (801) 675-8829.
Will the gophers come back?
An untreated property attracts new gophers into the abandoned tunnel system. We recommend prevention strategies after removal so the cycle stops.
Mole Removal
How do I tell a mole from a gopher or a vole?
Moles leave volcano-shaped soil mounds and raised surface ridges across the lawn. Gophers leave fan-shaped or kidney-shaped mounds with a plug. Voles do not mound at all and instead leave surface runways through grass.
Are your methods safe for pets and kids?
Yes. We use in-tunnel traps placed below the soil surface, not surface bait. Technicians are background-checked and fully insured.
How fast can you respond?
Same-day appointments are available across Utah. Call (801) 675-8829.
Will the moles come back?
Untreated lawns with active grub and earthworm populations draw new moles in. We treat the soil conditions alongside the trapping work so the problem stops at source.
Snake Removal
Is the snake in my yard venomous?
Only the Great Basin rattlesnake is venomous in Utah. Gopher snakes, the most common non-venomous species in the state, are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because they mimic the rattle behavior. Do not approach any snake until a licensed handler can confirm the species.
Are rattlesnakes protected in Utah?
Yes. Under Utah Division of Wildlife Resources rules, native snakes including rattlesnakes are protected and cannot be killed except in defense of life. Removal must be done by licensed handlers using humane capture techniques.
When are rattlesnakes most active?
Great Basin rattlesnakes emerge from hibernation in April and remain active through October. Peak activity is from May through September, with the highest risk on warm afternoons and warm evenings.
How fast can you respond?
Same-day emergency response is available for rattlesnake calls across the Wasatch Front. Call (801) 675-8829.
Rodent Exclusion
How small a gap can a mouse fit through?
A house mouse can fit through a gap the diameter of a pencil. Norway rats need about a quarter inch. That is why surface-level pest sprays don't fix a rodent problem - the rodents come back through the same gaps.
Why isn't trapping enough?
Trapping removes the active rodents but does nothing about the entry points. New rodents find the same gaps and the cycle restarts. We seal first, trap second.
Are rodent droppings dangerous?
Yes. Mouse urine and droppings can carry hantavirus, salmonella, and other pathogens. We clean and decontaminate with HEPA-filtered equipment and full PPE.
How long does the work take?
Most homes can be sealed in a single visit. Trapping runs over 1-3 follow-ups depending on how established the population is.