Wildlife Removal in New York City, NY
NYS DEC-licensed NWCO wildlife removal for NYC homes and businesses. Raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, bats, and birds removed humanely, legally, and permanently from your New York City property.
Urban Wildlife in New York City — A Growing Challenge
Urban wildlife is increasingly common in New York City. Decades of wildlife recovery efforts and the adaptation of species to urban environments have dramatically increased raccoon, opossum, squirrel, and skunk populations throughout all 5 boroughs. NYC's park system, mature tree canopy, abundant food sources, and the structural diversity of its housing stock — from detached single-family homes in Staten Island to dense brownstone blocks in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill — create habitat supporting large urban wildlife populations.
Wildlife problems in NYC homes most commonly involve animals accessing attic spaces or nesting beneath structures. Raccoons and squirrels regularly enter attics through damaged soffits, open ridge vents, and gaps around rooftop penetrations. Opossums and skunks den under ground-level decks, stoops, and low crawl spaces. Bats access homes through gaps as small as 3/8 of an inch in the building envelope. All of these situations require professional intervention under NYS DEC regulations — attempting wildlife removal without proper licensing is both illegal and potentially dangerous.
Wildlife Removal in New York City
Raccoon infestations in NYC attics cause significant damage — they tear insulation, create latrine areas that soak attic flooring and ceiling drywall with urine and feces, and can damage electrical wiring. Female raccoons with young kits are particularly dangerous to approach and will defend their young aggressively. In neighborhoods with mature tree canopy — Forest Hills, Park Slope, and the Bronx — overhanging branches provide raccoons with direct roof access. Tree limb trimming is an important part of long-term raccoon prevention at these properties.
Squirrel infestations in attics are extremely common in NYC — eastern grey squirrels are among the most abundant urban wildlife species in the city. They chew through wood, insulation, and electrical wiring (a documented fire risk). The sound of squirrels in an attic is a rapid, energetic scurrying and scratching — distinct from the slower, heavier movement of raccoons. Squirrels are active primarily at dawn and dusk, which is when the sounds are most pronounced.
How We Remove Wildlife in New York City
- One-way exclusion devices — Installed over the primary entry/exit point, allowing animals to leave but not re-enter; the most humane and effective approach for squirrels, raccoons, and bats
- Live trapping by licensed DEC NWCO operators — For situations where exclusion alone is not appropriate; all trapping performed by technicians holding valid NYS DEC NWCO licenses
- Entry point sealing with heavy-gauge materials — After confirmed animal clearance, all entry points sealed with heavy-gauge hardware cloth, metal flashing, or concrete depending on the location
- Attic remediation guidance — Assessment of contamination and damage after animal removal; guidance on insulation replacement, structural repair, and sanitization
⚠️ NYS DEC NWCO License Requirements — New York City
New York State requires a valid Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) license issued by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to trap and relocate the following species: raccoons, opossums, skunks, groundhogs, foxes, coyotes, and others. Unlicensed trapping of protected wildlife species in New York is illegal and can result in fines.
Additionally, New York law prohibits relocating certain wildlife species to locations more than a defined distance from the capture site — this means simply releasing a trapped raccoon in a park is not a legal option. Licensed NWCO operators are trained in both the legal and humane requirements of wildlife removal.
Every NYC Pest Control wildlife removal technician holds a current NYS DEC NWCO license. We carry proof of our credentials and can provide documentation of our license status on request. Always ask any wildlife removal company for their NYS DEC NWCO license number before hiring.
Wildlife Removal in New York City — FAQ
What wildlife commonly causes problems in New York City?
Urban wildlife problems in New York City span all 5 boroughs. Raccoons are abundant throughout the city, frequently denning in attics by accessing damaged soffits, fascia boards, and open eave gaps — they are particularly common in residential neighborhoods with mature tree canopy like Park Slope, Forest Hills, and the upper Bronx. Eastern grey squirrels are ubiquitous in all NYC parks and neighborhoods and regularly access attics in fall and late winter. Opossums shelter under ground-level decks, stoops, and crawl spaces throughout the outer boroughs. Skunks den under stoops, steps, and low-lying structures across Brooklyn and Queens. European starlings and house sparrows nest in building vents, HVAC openings, and eave gaps throughout Manhattan. Each species requires a different removal approach and has specific permit requirements under NYS DEC regulations.
Can I remove raccoons or squirrels from my New York City property without a license?
No. New York State law requires a valid NYS DEC Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) license to trap and relocate raccoons, opossums, skunks, and most other wildlife species. Trapping without the proper DEC license can result in fines. There are also strict requirements for where trapped wildlife can be relocated — wildlife cannot be transported more than a limited distance from the capture site. NYC Pest Control employs technicians holding NYS DEC NWCO licenses and can perform all legally required wildlife removal work. Never hire a wildlife removal company that does not carry valid DEC NWCO credentials.
What do I do if I find a bat in my New York City home?
Do not attempt to handle the bat. Per New York Department of Health guidelines, a bat found in a room where a person was sleeping — even if no contact was observed — should be contained and the circumstances reported to your local health department for rabies exposure assessment. Close the room door, open a window if possible to allow the bat to leave on its own if no exposure is suspected, and contact us immediately. If capture is required, our technicians will handle this properly. Bats that have been in contact with humans or pets may need to be submitted for rabies testing — do not kill the bat if this is a possibility, as testing requires an intact specimen.
Wildlife Removal Serving All of New York City
Wildlife in Your New York City Home? Call Today.
NYS DEC-licensed NWCO operators. Humane, legal wildlife removal throughout New York City. One-way exclusion devices, live trapping, and permanent entry point sealing.
New York City Wildlife Removal
NYS DEC NWCO licensed. Humane removal. Permanent exclusion. All 5 boroughs.
📞 Call (917) 203-6158