Wildlife Removal Specialists in Chattanooga: Live Animal Capture and Relocation
Wildlife Removal Specialists operates as a live-capture and relocation service for animals inside or around Chattanooga homes and businesses, with no lethal methods used. The operation focuses on removing raccoons, opossums, squirrels, bats, and snakes, then sealing entry points to prevent return, and serves Hamilton County and surrounding areas within roughly 30 miles of the city.
What Wildlife Removal Specialists Actually Does
The business handles both the animal removal itself and the exclusion work that stops future entry. A typical job involves trapping and relocating the animal (usually within 5 to 10 miles of the capture site, depending on species), then identifying how it entered: gaps in soffit, holes in fascia, uncapped chimneys, or open vents. The team seals these openings with steel mesh or hardware cloth rated to withstand animal chewing. This two-part approach addresses the immediate problem and the structural vulnerability that created it.
The service does not handle pest control for insects or rodents, nor does it remove dead animals. It also will not relocate animals to state lands without a permit from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, so relocated animals typically stay within the county.
Removal and Exclusion Pricing
Removal costs range from $350 to $650 per animal, depending on species and how far into the structure it has traveled. A raccoon in an attic typically costs more than one in a crawl space. Exclusion work (sealing entry points) costs $200 to $1,200 per job, based on the number and accessibility of openings; a single soffit gap might run $250, while a full-house bat exclusion with multiple chimney and vent treatments can exceed $1,000.
Many customers find that exclusion, though a separate expense, saves money over time by eliminating repeated removal calls. Some operators in the region charge removal and exclusion as a bundled price; Wildlife Removal Specialists separates them so homeowners can choose to exclude after the immediate problem is solved, though waiting typically costs more once animals have nested or caused damage.
Emergency removal (evenings, weekends, or holidays) adds 50 percent to the standard removal fee. Prices are estimates and should be confirmed by phone or site visit.
How Wildlife Removal Specialists Compares to Other Chattanooga Options
Critter Control, a national franchise with a Chattanooga location, charges similarly for removal ($400 to $700 range) but operates on a monthly recurring service model for exclusion and monitoring, which costs $80 to $150 monthly for 12 months. This suits homeowners who want ongoing inspections but increases total cost if the problem is one-time. Wildlife Removal Specialists does not require a service contract, allowing customers to pay once and move on.
Skedaddle, another franchise-style operation, emphasizes humane relocation and has been present in the Chattanooga market; its pricing aligns with Wildlife Removal Specialists for removal, but it tends to bundle exclusion into a higher single estimate. For a homeowner facing a single raccoon and ready to seal the entry point themselves or hire a handyman, Wildlife Removal Specialists' unbundled pricing offers more flexibility.
Local wildlife trappers operating as independent contractors (found through the Better Business Bureau or animal control referrals) may charge $250 to $400 for removal but often lack the exclusion expertise or insurance to back the work if new animals enter, making them appropriate only for customers with basic animal-removal needs and tolerance for follow-up calls.
Who This Service Suits and Who It Does Not
Choose Wildlife Removal Specialists if you have a specific animal in your home, want it removed alive without lethal traps, and plan to hire someone to seal the entry points or do so yourself. The service also works well for commercial properties (warehouses, restaurants, office buildings) where live removal prevents health code violations and liability.
This service is not suitable if you need pesticide application for rodent or insect infestations, if you have already had exclusion work done and want a warranty against future entry (the company does not offer multi-year guarantees), or if you need emergency removal outside Hamilton County at the same price (the travel radius increases costs).
What the First Call Involves
Contact by phone triggers a brief assessment of the problem: animal type, location in the structure, how it entered (if visible), and timeline. An estimate requires an in-home inspection, which typically takes 30 to 45 minutes and is free if the customer books removal. If exclusion work is also quoted, the technician will photograph entry points and provide a written estimate with materials and labor itemized.
Removal typically occurs within 2 to 7 days. The trapping phase lasts 3 to 14 days depending on the animal's behavior and access to the trap. Relocation happens once the animal is caught, and exclusion work begins only after the animal is confirmed gone, usually verified by one-way door monitoring.
Hours, Availability, and Logistics
Wildlife Removal Specialists operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for calls and estimates. Emergency removal (outside these hours) is available by phone appointment but is rare; most homeowners can wait overnight without safety risk, though they may hear animal activity in walls or attics. Service coverage includes Chattanooga proper and unincorporated Hamilton County; calls outside this area may be declined or charged travel fees. Confirm current hours and service boundaries when you call, as these can shift seasonally during high-activity periods (spring and fall, when animals seek shelter or mates).
Wildlife Removal Specialists fills a critical gap between do-it-yourself animal exclusion and animal control services focused on lethal removal, making it worth considering as soon as you confirm an animal is present rather than waiting for damage to accumulate.
