Wildlife in Your Home?
Here's Who to Call in Hampton Roads.
Precision Pest Management handles pest control: insects, termites, rodents, mosquitoes, and bed bugs. Wild animals like raccoons, squirrels, bats, and snakes require a completely different license and set of skills that we do not have.
This page will point you to the right people for wildlife removal, and explain how PPM can help once the animals are gone.
Already dealt with the animals? We handle what comes next.
Pest Control vs. Wildlife Removal: What's the Difference?
These are two separate industries with separate licenses in Virginia. Calling the wrong type of company wastes your time and theirs.
Requires a separate Virginia license. Specialists trap, handle, and relocate wild animals in compliance with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) regulations.
Animals: raccoons, squirrels, bats, snakes, birds, deer
Licensed through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. We treat insects, rodents, and other common household pests.
Pests: termites, mosquitoes, mice, rats, bed bugs, cockroaches, ants
The overlap: After wildlife is removed, animals almost always leave behind droppings, damaged insulation, and entry points that attract insects and rodents. That part is exactly what Precision Pest Management handles.
Who to Call for Wildlife Removal in Hampton Roads
For any wild animal situation, your first call should be to your city's animal control department or a licensed wildlife removal operator. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (dwr.virginia.gov) also maintains a statewide directory of licensed nuisance wildlife control operators by region.
| City | Animal Control Contact | Phone | PPM Pest Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach Animal Control | 757-385-4444 | Our Virginia Beach Services |
| Norfolk | Norfolk Animal Control | 757-441-5505 | Our Norfolk Services |
| Chesapeake | Chesapeake Animal Services | 757-382-8080 | Our Chesapeake Services |
| Hampton | Hampton Animal Control | 757-727-6111 | Our Hampton Services |
| Portsmouth | Portsmouth Animal Control | 757-393-5346 | Our Portsmouth Services |
| Suffolk | Suffolk Animal Control | 757-514-7800 | Our Suffolk Services |
| Newport News | Newport News Animal Control | 757-933-2311 | Our Newport News Services |
Common Wildlife Situations in Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads sits between coastal marshes, wooded suburbs, and the Great Dismal Swamp. That geography means a wide range of wildlife ends up in places it should not be. Here is who handles each situation.
🐿️Squirrels in the Attic
Squirrels are one of the most frequent attic intruders across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and surrounding cities. They chew through fascia boards and roof vents, especially in fall when they are searching for winter shelter. Wiring and insulation damage can be significant.
Who to call: A licensed wildlife removal company in your city (see the table above). Do not attempt to trap squirrels yourself. Improper trapping can be illegal and often makes the problem worse.
How PPM can help after: Squirrel activity frequently overlaps with rodent problems. Once removal and exclusion work is complete, contact us if you are seeing mouse or rat activity in the same areas.
🦝Raccoons
Raccoons are intelligent and surprisingly strong, capable of tearing into crawl spaces, soffits, and outdoor garbage areas. They are common in suburban neighborhoods near waterways throughout Hampton Roads. Raccoons can carry rabies and raccoon roundworm, so contact with them or their droppings should always be left to a professional.
Who to call: A licensed wildlife removal specialist. Do not attempt to trap a raccoon yourself.
🦇Bats
Bat removal is one of the most legally regulated wildlife situations a homeowner can face. Virginia prohibits bat exclusion during maternity season, which runs from May 1 through August 15, to protect nursing pups. Bats roost in attics and wall voids, and their guano accumulates quickly, creating a health hazard.
Who to call: A licensed bat exclusion specialist specifically. Timing is critical. Call early in the season.
How PPM can help after: Bat guano frequently attracts carpet beetles and flies. After a licensed specialist completes the exclusion, we can treat secondary insect infestations.
🐦Birds and Pigeons
Pigeons, starlings, and sparrows are the most common nuisance birds in Hampton Roads. They nest in HVAC systems, roof voids, and on commercial buildings. Bird droppings are corrosive, can carry disease, and create slip hazards. Most bird species are federally protected, so removal requires permits and humane deterrent methods.
Who to call: A wildlife or bird control specialist with experience in exclusion and deterrent installation.
How PPM can help after: Bird droppings attract secondary insect infestations. We can treat those once birds are excluded.
🐍Snakes
Most snakes found near Hampton Roads homes are harmless species like black racers and rat snakes, but the region also has copperheads and cottonmouths. Snakes typically enter homes in search of rodents or cool shelter. A snake inside your home is almost always a sign of a rodent problem.
Who to call: For venomous snakes, contact a licensed wildlife removal professional immediately. For non-venomous snakes, your city's animal control can often assist.
How PPM can help after: Snakes follow rodents. If snakes are appearing near your home, the most effective solution is eliminating the rodent activity drawing them there. That is what we do.
After the Wildlife Is Gone: How Precision Pest Management Can Help
Wildlife removal solves the immediate problem. But it rarely ends there. Once an animal has been living in your home, it leaves behind entry points, damaged materials, droppings, and often the food source that attracted it in the first place.
Rodent Control
Squirrels, raccoons, and snakes frequently move in because mice and rats are already present. We will identify and eliminate the rodent activity drawing wildlife to your home, and set up a prevention plan to keep them out.
Secondary Insect Infestations
Bat guano and bird droppings attract beetles, flies, and mites. Rodent nesting material can harbor the same. We treat these secondary infestations as part of our general pest control services.
Ongoing Prevention
Our recurring pest control plans maintain a pest-free environment year-round, reducing the conditions that attract wildlife in the first place. Fewer rodents means fewer snakes. Fewer insects means less reason for bats and birds to linger.
Not sure if you need pest control or wildlife removal?
Call us at (757) 854-9177. We will help identify what you are dealing with and connect you with the right service, even if that means referring you to a wildlife specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wildlife in Hampton Roads
Does Precision Pest Management do wildlife removal?
No, Precision Pest Management does not provide wildlife removal services. While we specialize in comprehensive pest and rodent control throughout Hampton Roads, the removal of wild animals like raccoons or squirrels requires a separate, specific license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. With over six years of experience protecting coastal homes from insects and rodents, we maintain strong relationships with licensed wildlife specialists in our community and can happily refer you to a trusted local resource. Contact our team to schedule a free pest inspection today.
Who do I call for a wild animal in my house?
You should start by calling your local animal control department to address an immediate threat from a wild animal in your house. For trapping, exclusion, or recurring wildlife issues across Hampton Roads, you must contact a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website provides a searchable list of qualified professionals covering all seven cities in our region, ensuring you find someone properly permitted. If you also need secondary pest cleanup within 24 hours of removal, call us to schedule a treatment.
Is it legal to remove wildlife from my home myself?
Whether it is legal to remove wildlife from your home yourself depends entirely on the specific species involved. In Virginia, many native animals, such as bats and most birds, are strictly protected under state and federal law and cannot be trapped or relocated without a permit. Handling unprotected wildlife in Hampton Roads still carries at least 3 to 4 major health risks, including potential disease transmission. We always recommend hiring a licensed professional to ensure safety. Contact our local team to discuss pest and residential rodent issues.
I had animals in my attic and now I have bugs. Can you help?
Yes, we can absolutely help eliminate the secondary insect infestations caused by animals in your attic. Bat guano, bird droppings, and raccoon dens frequently attract pests like carpet beetles, mites, and flies into your living spaces. Once a licensed specialist has safely removed the wildlife from your coastal Virginia home, our exterminators will perform a comprehensive treatment backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. We typically resolve these lingering pest issues within 24 to 48 hours. Call us today to schedule your free inspection and estimate.
I keep seeing snakes near my house. What should I do?
You should immediately inspect your property for signs of mice or rats, because snakes near your house almost always indicate an active rodent infestation. Snakes are drawn to traditional Hampton Roads neighborhoods specifically because rats are a primary food source. While we do not trap or remove snakes, our technicians can implement a targeted rodent baiting program that typically reduces the attractive prey population by 90 percent within four weeks. Contact our Virginia Beach-based team today to schedule your comprehensive free rodent inspection.
How do I know if I need pest control or wildlife removal?
If your problem involves insects, termites, bed bugs, or rodents like mice and rats, you need pest control services. If you are dealing with larger wild animals such as raccoons, squirrels, bats, or snakes, you require a licensed wildlife removal specialist. Navigating these categories in Hampton Roads can be confusing, but our experienced team has spent over six years helping local homeowners identify their specific issues. Contact our local office at (757) 854-9177 to schedule a free inspection or get a trusted wildlife referral.