Questions to ask a wildlife or exclusion professional
- What license or permit do you hold for wildlife work in Colorado, and can I see it?
- Which species do you think are involved, and how did you identify them?
- Will you confirm no animals, including young, are left inside before sealing?
- Do you use one-way exclusion doors, and how long do they stay up?
- What materials will close each opening, and will you photograph them?
- If a carcass is found during exclusion, will you remove it, or should I arrange that separately?
A typical order of work
- First
- Identify whether anything alive is still in the building. If so, a licensed wildlife professional handles removal or one-way exclusion.
- Next
- Locate and remove any carcass, nest and contaminated material.
- Then
- Treat residue and air so the odor is resolved.
- After the space is confirmed empty
- Seal permanent entry points and repair damaged vents, screens and soffits.
- A few weeks later
- Recheck for new droppings, scratching or chewed sealant.
Where odor cleanup and wildlife work meet
Odor cleanup deals with what died; wildlife control deals with what is still alive and how it got in. They overlap at the entry point. A hole in the soffit that let a squirrel in will let the next one in too, and a carcass removed without sealing that hole often means another one later.
In Colorado, handling and relocating many wild animals is regulated, and some species need specific permits. A wildlife professional can confirm the building is empty, often using one-way doors that let animals leave but not return, before permanent repairs close the openings. Odor cleanup and sealing can then happen in the right order.
Ask both providers to coordinate, so the final repair is not done before the space is confirmed empty.
Common questions
Can I trap and relocate a raccoon myself?
Relocating wildlife is restricted in Colorado and can spread disease. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife guidance first, and consider a licensed professional.
Can a roofer seal the holes instead?
A roofer can repair damage, but should seal openings only after a wildlife professional confirms no animals are inside.
General information for Sloan's Lake, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.