What Orkin does and how their wildlife removal service operates

Orkin is a pest control company owned by Rollins Inc. that offers wildlife removal alongside traditional pest control. They send a technician to your property to inspect for animals, remove them using live traps or one-way doors depending on the species and situation, and then seal entry points to prevent return. The company operates in most U.S. states and some Canadian provinces, though service availability and pricing vary by location.

When you contact Orkin for wildlife removal, they typically schedule an inspection visit where a technician identifies what animal is present, where it entered, and what damage or risk it poses. After the inspection, they provide a written estimate for removal and exclusion work. If you move forward, they return to trap or remove the animal, dispose of it according to local regulations, and seal the entry points. The timeline from first call to completion usually spans several weeks, depending on the animal type and how many visits removal requires.

Key Takeaways

  • Orkin charges separately for inspection, removal, and exclusion work — the inspection fee may be waived or credited if you hire them for the full job.
  • Removal methods depend on the animal: live traps for raccoons and squirrels, one-way doors for bats, and other approaches for different species.
  • You will need to be present or grant access for the initial inspection and for follow-up visits to check traps or confirm the animal has left.
  • Orkin handles disposal and sealing, but you are responsible for cleanup of droppings or nesting material inside your home, which may require a separate biohazard service.
  • Pricing is not standardized and depends on your location, the animal species, the number of entry points, and the extent of exclusion work needed.

How the inspection and estimate process works

The first step is a phone call or online request to schedule an inspection. Orkin will ask what animal you have seen or heard, where you noticed it (attic, walls, basement, chimney), and when the activity started. They use this information to route the right type of technician and set expectations for the visit.

During the inspection, the technician walks your property inside and out, looking for entry holes, droppings, nesting material, damage to siding or vents, and other signs of animal activity. They will ask you questions about where you hear or see the animal, whether you have noticed damage, and how long the problem has been happening. After the walkthrough, they provide a written estimate that breaks down the cost of removal, exclusion (sealing entry points), and any additional services. Some Orkin locations credit the inspection fee toward the removal work if you hire them; others do not.

Removal methods and what happens to the animal

Orkin uses different removal methods depending on the animal. For raccoons, squirrels, and opossums, they typically set live traps baited with food, check them daily, and remove the trapped animal. For bats, they install one-way doors that let bats leave but prevent them from re-entering, then seal the opening after the bats have exited. For other animals like groundhogs or foxes, the method varies based on local regulations and the specific situation.

Once an animal is trapped or removed, Orkin disposes of it according to your state's wildlife regulations. Some states require live release within a certain distance; others allow euthanasia. Orkin follows the law in your area, but you should ask during the estimate what will happen to the animal if that matters to you. The company does not relocate animals to a different property — that is illegal in most states because relocated wildlife often dies and can spread disease to local populations.

Sealing entry points and preventing return

After the animal is removed, Orkin seals the entry holes and gaps where it got in. This is called exclusion work and is critical because a new animal of the same or different species will use the same opening if it is left open. Technicians use materials like steel mesh, caulk, and hardware cloth depending on the location and size of the hole. They also trim tree branches near your roof, install chimney caps, and find vents — all to reduce future entry points.

Exclusion work is priced separately from removal and can be the larger part of the bill, especially if your home has multiple entry points or if the animal has caused structural damage that needs repair before sealing. Orkin will identify all visible entry points during the inspection and include them in the estimate, but they cannot may provide they have found every possible opening, particularly in older homes or those with complex rooflines.

What you need to do before, during, and after service

Before the technician arrives, make sure someone is home or you have arranged access to your property. The inspection requires the technician to enter your attic, basement, crawl space, or other areas where the animal may be hiding. If you are not present, you will need to leave a door unlocked or provide a key.

During removal, you may need to stay out of certain areas while traps are set or checked. If the animal is in your attic or walls, the technician will need access to those spaces on multiple visits — usually daily for the first week or two to check traps. Once the animal is removed and entry points are sealed, your involvement is mostly done, though Orkin may offer a follow-up visit to confirm no new activity has occurred.

After removal, you are responsible for cleaning up any droppings, urine, or nesting material left behind. This is a health concern because animal waste can carry diseases like hantavirus or histoplasmosis. Orkin does not typically include this cleanup in their removal service, though some locations offer biohazard cleanup as an add-on. If you choose not to use Orkin for cleanup, wear a respirator and gloves, and follow your local health department's guidance on safe removal of contaminated material.

Pricing and what affects the cost

Orkin does not publish standard pricing online because the cost of wildlife removal varies widely based on location, the animal species, how many entry points need sealing, and whether structural damage requires repair. A straightforward raccoon removal in a suburban area might cost several hundred dollars, while a complex bat exclusion project or removal of multiple animals could cost significantly more.

The estimate you receive will itemize the inspection fee, removal cost, exclusion cost, and any additional work. Ask whether the inspection fee is refundable or credited toward the job, what the timeline is, and whether the price includes follow-up visits to confirm the animal has left. Some Orkin locations offer service plans or warranties that cover re-treatment if the animal returns within a certain period, though these vary by location and are not automatic.

Alternatives to Orkin for wildlife removal

Orkin is one option, but other wildlife removal companies operate in most areas. Local wildlife control operators, humane societies, and animal control departments may also handle removal, often at different price points and with different philosophies about live release versus other methods. Some areas have municipal animal control that handles certain animals for free or low cost, though they typically focus on domestic animals and common pests rather than wildlife in attics.

If you want to compare, get estimates from at least two other local wildlife removal companies. Ask each one the same questions about their removal method, what happens to the animal, what exclusion work they recommend, and whether they offer any warranty or follow-up service. This will help you understand the range of approaches and costs in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to remove an animal from my home?

The timeline depends on the animal and the situation. A single raccoon in a live trap might be removed in one to two weeks. Bats using a one-way door may take several weeks to leave naturally. If multiple animals are present or if the animal is hiding in a wall, removal can take a month or longer. Orkin will give you an estimate of the timeline during the inspection.

Will Orkin remove the animal humanely?

Orkin uses live traps for most mammals and one-way doors for bats, which are considered humane methods. However, state law determines what happens after capture — some states require live release, others allow euthanasia. Ask Orkin what your state's law allows and what method they will use before you sign the estimate.

What if the animal comes back after Orkin seals the entry points?

A different animal may find a new entry point if your home has openings Orkin did not identify or seal. Some Orkin locations offer a warranty period during which they will re-treat at no charge if the same species returns. Ask about this during the estimate and get the warranty terms in writing.

Do I have to be home for every visit?

Yes, someone needs to be present or the technician needs access to your property for the inspection and for trap checks. If you cannot be home, you can arrange a time that works for you, but the technician cannot work if the house is locked and no one is there to let them in.

Can Orkin prevent future wildlife problems?

Sealing entry points reduces the risk that another animal will enter the same way, but it does not prevent all future problems. Keeping tree branches trimmed, securing garbage cans, and removing food sources (pet food, bird seed, fallen fruit) also help. Orkin can advise on these steps, but prevention is an ongoing responsibility that falls on you.