Wildlife removal in Georgia

Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division regulates commercial nuisance animal control. Paid operators need an NWCO permit (written exam required). Georgia is relatively permissive for relocation compared to other states, allowing transport and release within 72 hours with landowner permission, but rabies-vector species have strict limitations.

Get connected with a provider in Georgia

Call (833) 567-5793

Call hours: Mon–Sun, 8 AM–6 PM. Coverage varies by location.

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Most common wildlife calls in Georgia

Residential nuisance wildlife calls across Georgia concentrate heavily around five persistent species. Each presents distinct property damage risks and legal handling protocols:

Raccoons in attics and chimneys

Raccoons are powerful animals capable of tearing through rotted fascia, prying open soffit returns, and nesting inside uncapped chimney flues. In Georgia, maternal denning peaks from late winter through spring. Removing adult raccoons while kits remain trapped inside wall cavities can lead to severe structural damage. Learn how raccoon removal works, including humane eviction strategies and roundworm latrine sanitization.

Gray and flying squirrels in rooflines

Squirrels enter through dime- to golf-ball-sized gaps along ridge vents, gable vents, and roof intersections. Once established in attic insulation, their continuous gnawing habit presents serious fire hazards when electrical wiring insulation is stripped. Review proven methods for professional squirrel removal from attics and whole-house exclusion repairs.

Colonial bats in attics and tile roofs

Bats squeeze through exterior gaps as narrow as 3/8 of an inch, colonizing dark attic corners and roof valleys. Because bats are ecologically valuable and federally or state protected throughout Georgia, poisons and lethal traps are strictly illegal. Exclusion must be carefully timed around breeding cycles to avoid trapping non-volant pups inside. Read our guide to humane bat exclusion services and state-regulated exclusion calendars.

Snakes in crawl spaces and basements

Snakes follow rodent scent trails into damp crawl spaces, basements, and foundation gaps across Georgia. While the majority of indoor encounters involve nonvenomous rat snakes or garter snakes, venomous species such as copperheads, cottonmouths, or rattlesnakes require extreme caution. If a snake is discovered in an occupied living space, contact local specialists for emergency snake removal rather than risking an unverified strike.

Skunks and opossums under decks and porches

Low-clearance concrete porches, deck steps, and open foundation vents offer attractive winter denning sites for skunks and opossums. Skunk burrowing can undermine slab stability, while seasonal territorial spraying permeates subflooring and indoor living areas. Technicians utilize humane cage trapping and subterranean barrier trenching for long-term skunk removal under decks and humane opossum removal.

What wildlife removal costs in Georgia

Wildlife removal costs across Georgia vary depending on the animal species, attic accessibility, the degree of biohazard remediation, and the scope of structural exclusion sealing required. Basic initial physical inspections and trap deployments typically range from $150 to $350. Multi-day trapping setups for terrestrial species such as raccoons, opossums, or groundhogs generally run between $300 and $700.

When animals enter an attic or crawl space, costs depend heavily on exclusion and decontamination. One-way bat exclusion doors and targeted roofline sealing commonly average between $400 and $1,500+. Full attic remediation—including HEPA vacuuming of hazardous droppings, antimicrobial fogging to neutralize pheromones, and replacing soiled insulation—often ranges from $1,500 to $5,000+, an investment frequently covered in part by homeowners insurance policies for qualifying raccoon damage. For real-world itemized breakdowns and pricing variables, see our complete wildlife removal cost guide.

What Georgia law allows

Paid wildlife work requires an NWCO permit from the DNR Special Permit Unit. A structural pest control license alone does not cover it.
Permit holders may possess nuisance wildlife for under 72 hours for transport and release into suitable habitat with landowner permission.
Rabies-vector species (such as raccoons and skunks) that scratched or bit a person or pet require health-department protocols before any release decision.
Bats: exclusion only, never lethal removal. Avoid exclusion April 1 to July 31 unless it is confirmed no flightless young are present.

Rules paraphrased from the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division — the primary source. Last reviewed 2026-07-16. Compare wildlife regulations, trap check mandates, and operator licensing standards across state borders in our comprehensive guide to wildlife removal laws by state.

Relocation rules

Georgia is more permissive: permitted operators may release wildlife into suitable habitat with landowner permission within 72 hours. But rabies-vector animals involved in any bite or scratch incident go through health-department screening first.

Bat rules

Georgia allows bat exclusion only - never lethal removal - and exclusion should be avoided April 1 to July 31 unless a professional confirms no flightless young are present.

City guides in Georgia

Dalton

Whitfield County · Common calls: squirrels, raccoons, bats

Macon

Bibb County · Common calls: flying squirrels, gray squirrels, raccoons

Augusta

Richmond County · Common calls: snakes, raccoons, gray squirrels

Columbus

Muscogee County · Common calls: bats, raccoons, gray squirrels

Roswell

Fulton County · Common calls: flying squirrels, raccoons, rat snakes

Alpharetta

Fulton County · Common calls: gray squirrels, bats, raccoons

Georgia wildlife law FAQs

Does my pest control company’s license cover wildlife removal in Georgia?

No. Georgia treats wildlife work as a separate credential: a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator permit from DNR, with its own written exam. The Structural Pest Control Act license covers insects and rodents, not raccoons, bats, or squirrels.

Can trapped wildlife be relocated in Georgia?

Often yes. NWCO permit holders may hold animals under 72 hours and release them into suitable habitat with landowner permission. The exception: rabies-vector species that bit or scratched someone must go through health-department protocols before any release.

What is the bat maternity season window in Georgia?

Georgia DNR guidelines advise against bat exclusion between April 1 and July 31 to prevent trapping flightless bat pups inside attics and wall voids. Quality technicians focus on entry inspection and sealing unentered secondary gaps until the breeding window closes.

Are native non-venomous snakes protected in Georgia?

Yes. Under Georgia state law (O.C.G.A. 27-1-28), it is a misdemeanor to kill non-venomous snakes. Property owners encountering snakes should keep pets back and arrange professional humane removal and habitat exclusion.

Talk to someone about your wildlife problem

Call (833) 567-5793

Call hours: Mon–Sun, 8 AM–6 PM. Coverage varies by location.