Skip to content
Southernlots Pest Control
Noises in the attic? Take a breath.

Rodent & Wildlife Removal Services for Homeowners

Request an estimate today

Is something living in your attic, walls, or crawl space? You are not alone, and it is fixable. Rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, and other animals look for warm, dry shelter, especially after heavy rain or when summer heat pushes them indoors.

Southernlots Pest Control is a referral service. We do not do the work. We connect you with an independent local provider in our network who can find the animal, remove it, and help close the entry points. This page is first-timer friendly. It explains what to look for, what to expect, and how to ask good questions before you hire anyone. You will also find tips on costs, humane handling, and keeping animals out once the job is done.

Is Something Living in My Attic or Walls?

It might be. Scratching, thumping, or squeaking that comes from above or behind a wall is a common sign. Many first-timers feel nervous here. That is normal. Ask, then act, and you will get through it.

Here is the good news. Providers in our network deal with this often. They know how to tell a mouse from a squirrel by sound, droppings, and damage.

Get Started

What Should I Do in the First Hour?

Stay calm. Do not poke at the noise or try to trap anything yet. A frightened animal can bite or scratch.

  • Keep kids and pets away from the area.
  • Do not enter a crowded attic or crawl space alone.
  • Do not block holes you find. An animal may be trapped inside.
  • Write down what you hear and when.
  • Take photos of droppings or damage from a safe distance.

These notes help a provider plan the visit.

Why Can't I Just Wait It Out?

Because the problem usually grows. Rodents breed fast. A few mice can turn into a crowd in a matter of weeks. Larger animals may have babies in a nest, and that adds time pressure.

In hot, humid weather, droppings and urine can soak into insulation. Smells get worse. Chewed wires can also be a fire risk, so do not put this off.

What Signs Should I Look For?

You may not see the animal at all. Watch for clues instead.

Sounds

Scratching at dusk or after dark often means rats, mice, or flying squirrels. Heavy thumping in the daytime can point to squirrels or raccoons.

Droppings and Smells

Small dark pellets near walls, in the pantry, or in the attic are a red flag. A musty or sharp odor can mean a nest nearby.

Damage

Look for chewed wires, torn insulation, gnawed boxes, greasy rub marks along walls, or a bent vent cover outside.

Which Animals Do Providers Usually Handle?

In many homes, the usual suspects are roof rats, house mice, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and sometimes bats or birds. Armadillos can dig around slabs and foundations.

Each animal needs a different method. That is why a proper inspection comes first.

Get Started

How Does Removal Actually Work?

It is simpler than you might think. Most visits follow the same path.

Inspection

The provider checks the roof line, vents, soffits, and attic. They look for entry holes and signs of nesting.

Removal

They use traps, one-way doors, or other methods that fit the animal and the season. Some methods need a few follow-up visits.

Sealing Up

Removal alone is not enough. Holes must be closed, or new animals move right in. Ask what materials the provider uses.

Cleanup

Many providers offer droppings cleanup and insulation help. Ask if this is part of your estimate or a separate item.

Is Humane Handling Required?

Often, yes. Rules about trapping and moving animals vary by state and even by city. Some animals are protected, and baby seasons can limit when certain work is allowed.

Ask the provider how they follow local rules. A good provider can explain this clearly and in plain words.

How Do I Choose a Provider?

Ask a few simple questions before you say yes.

  • Are you licensed or permitted for wildlife work where I live?
  • Will you inspect first and explain your findings?
  • Does the estimate include sealing entry points?
  • Do you carry liability insurance?
  • What happens if the animals come back?

Get the answers in writing. A written quote helps you compare options with confidence.

Get Started

Can Insurance Help With the Damage?

Some policies may cover sudden damage, but many do not cover damage from animals living in a home over time. Check your policy. Providers can often help document damage for a claim.

How Do I Keep Animals Out Next Time?

Prevention matters a lot after removal. A few habits go a long way.

  • Trim tree limbs that touch the roof.
  • Cap chimneys and screen vents.
  • Seal gaps around pipes and wires.
  • Store pet food and bird seed in tight bins.
  • Keep trash lids closed.
  • Check the attic after big storms.

Older pier-and-beam homes need a look at the crawl space too. Slab homes with hot attics often need roofline checks.

Ready for Your Next Step?

You have the basics now. The next move is simple. Ask for an estimate and let a local provider take a look. No obligation, and no pressure.

Get Started

What's Included

Attic and Wall Inspection

A provider checks the roof line, vents, attic, and walls to find where animals get in.

Humane Removal

Methods are chosen to fit the animal, the season, and local rules.

Entry Point Sealing

Gaps and holes are closed to help stop new animals from returning.

Cleanup Options

Many providers can clean droppings and help with damaged insulation. Ask what is included.

What Rodent and Wildlife Removal Typically Costs

Prices depend on the animal, how hard the space is to reach, and how much repair is needed. These are typical U.S. ranges only. Always get a written quote before work begins.

ItemTypical rangeNotes
Inspection visit$75 – $300Some providers apply it to the job
Mouse or rat removal$300 – $800May need follow-up visits
Squirrel or raccoon removal$350 – $1,000Depends on nests and babies
Bat exclusion$500 – $3,000Rules and timing vary by area
Entry point sealing$200 – $1,500Depends on number of openings
Droppings cleanup$300 – $2,500Size of the area matters

Get Started

How It Works

Tell Us What You Hear

Share the sounds, signs, and where in the home you notice them. Small details help.

Get Matched Locally

Southernlots Pest Control connects you with an independent provider in the network near you.

Review the Inspection Findings

The provider checks the home and explains the animal, the damage, and the plan.

Approve the Written Estimate

Read the quote, ask your questions, and say yes only when you feel ready.

Why Call Southernlots Pest Control

Ask Before You Act

A local provider can explain what is likely happening before you spend anything.

Simple Process

We keep each step plain and calm, so a first-timer is never left guessing.

Local Providers

Independent providers in our network know nearby homes, weather, and common animals.

No Pressure

Request an estimate, compare your options, and decide at your own pace.

Other Services

Need rodent & wildlife removal services in Pell City?

  • Connects you with independent local providers
  • Plain-language help for first-timers
  • Written quotes
  • No obligation
No obligation
Questions

Rodent & Wildlife Removal Services FAQ

How do I know if I have mice, rats, or something bigger?
Sounds and droppings give clues. Tiny pellets and light scratching often mean mice. Larger droppings and heavier noise can mean rats. Thumping in daylight may point to squirrels or raccoons. A provider can confirm.
Can I remove wildlife from my attic myself?
It is risky. Animals can bite, carry disease, and may have babies inside. Local rules also apply to trapping and moving wildlife. Ask a provider in our network to inspect first, then decide what to do.
Will the animals come back after removal?
They can if entry holes stay open. Ask the provider to seal gaps, cap vents, and explain any warranty in writing. Trimming branches and storing food in tight bins also helps keep animals out.
Contact

Tell us what happened

Not sure what you are seeing? Send a message with your city and a quick description, and we will point you toward a local provider in our network.

No obligation
Request a callback