Wildlife exclusion is the process of humanely removing nuisance animals from a home and permanently sealing the entry points they used to get in, rather than just trapping and releasing an animal that can return or be replaced by another. Pest control targets insects like ants, roaches, and termites, while wildlife exclusion deals with vertebrate animals like raccoons, squirrels, opossums, rats, and bats. Prickly Pear handles both, which means one company can solve a property’s full pest and wildlife picture instead of juggling two vendors.

Scratching, thumping, or scurrying sounds in the attic or walls — especially at dawn or dusk — usually indicate wildlife rather than insects, since insects don’t make audible movement noises large enough to hear through drywall. Other wildlife signs include torn attic insulation, chewed wiring, entry holes at the roofline or soffit, and droppings larger than a grain of rice. If you’re unsure, a free inspection can identify the exact species and entry point before any work begins.

Wildlife removal cost depends on the species, the number of entry points, and how much is required to seal the home and repair the damage left behind. 

Simple single entry point exclusion jobs are lower priced while complex jobs involving multiple sealed entry points, attic sanitation, and damage repair can cost considerably more. Our on-site inspection gives you an exact, itemized number rather than a phone estimate or a number written on a piece of paper. Our pricing is transparent and our recommendations are clear. 

Yes — our professional wildlife exclusion uses one-way doors and exclusion barriers designed to let animals leave on their own and prevent them from re-entering, rather than harming them. Texas law also protects certain species (see the “is it legal to trap and relocate” question below), so our technicians are trained to handle removals within legal, humane guidelines.

No, Prickly Pear cannot warranty that an animal will never come back. However, our complete exclusion package is designed to seal all possible entry points and we back that up with our “furever” warranty. 
Prickly Pear warranties our work and that animals will not gain entry through the hole we sealed. If an animal does come back into your home, we will inspect to determine how it is coming and going and if it is due to a defect in our work, we will repair that work at no cost. If it is a new spot, we will put together a plan to get the animal out and the new hole sealed. 

Most single-species jobs are completed in two visits the first is for entry point sealing and placing the camera and one-way door. The second is to remove the one-way door, close the final hole, and repair any damage. However, complex removals, multiple animals, mothers and babies, can take more visits. Large jobs involving extensive attic damage or an evolving situation, can result in more visits. All visits are scheduled with a 1 hour arrival window, you receive confirmations and reminders via text. When the technician is on the way you will receive a text notification as well. 

Yes — Prickly Pear repairs common wildlife damage including chewed soffit, torn insulation, and compromised roofline entry points as part of the exclusion service. Our field team fabricates and installs galvanized metal soffit repairs to hardened, animal-proof standards rather than patching with materials that can be re-chewed.

Texas regulates trapping and relocation of nuisance wildlife, and some species (including many bats) are protected under state and federal law with specific seasonal restrictions. Prickly Pear’s wildlife team are trained on these regulations and practices. To maximize humane treatment of the wildlife, minimizing impact Prickly Pear’s first solution is to install a one-way door and let the wildlife continue to exist without relocating. 
When trapping is necessary, our team follows the law to ensure the highest success for the animal and the lowest risk to the environment. 

Easy food sources (trash, pet food, bird feeders, fruit trees), water sources, and accessible shelter (gaps in rooflines, uncapped chimneys, deck and shed voids) are the most common draws. Attics are especially attractive because they’re warm, dry, dark, and largely undisturbed — ideal denning conditions for raccoons, squirrels, and rats.

Yes — Prickly Pear’s preventive inspection identifies vulnerable entry points (roofline gaps, vent screens, foundation gaps) before an animal finds them, which is significantly cheaper than remediating an active infestation with attic damage and sanitation needs.