List of Wildlife Removal Services
In South
Carolina, control of wildlife and animal damage is the responsibility of the individual property owner. Often,
wildlife problems can be eliminated by habitat modification, behavior modification, or a combination of the two.
Simple solutions to common wildlife problems include feeding pets indoors, proper disposal of food scraps, and
securing trash can lids. These measures serve to reduce food available to unwelcome wildlife and result in less
human-animal conflict. Exclusion of offending wildlife by fencing or wire mesh netting is also an effective
technique to reduce wildlife damage. In many cases, however, the solution involves the removal of the offending
animal.
The following is a list of individuals and businesses that provide assistance with wildlife control. Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs) are listed by counties in which they have agreed to operate. Also, by each individual's name is the wildlife species that they will provide assistance for.
It is imperative to note that these individuals and companies are in the business of wildlife control, and like most businesses, do charge a fee for their services. The amount charged is negotiable between the customer and the WCO, and will often depend on the distance traveled, number of trips required, time expended, and/or number of animals removed.
Please be reminded that a depredation permit will be required for anyone trapping or shooting wildlife during the closed season. Depredation permits may be obtained at no cost from any regional Wildlife Section or from a local Natural Resources Enforcement Officer. These permits are valid for 30 days (1 year for beaver), and are renewable if additional time is needed to alleviate the problem. Additional permits may be required when dealing with Federally-protected birds. A depredation permit is not required when capturing any furbearer or squirrel causing property damage within one-hundred yards of the property owner's home that is experiencing the damage.
This list, along with the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) link below, is furnished in order to provide the public a means of obtaining assistance with wildlife problems. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) in no way endorses or guarantees the services of any WCO on this list. It is strongly recommended that the property owner seeking assistance ask for references, and have the WCO explain in detail what services will be included before agreeing to or signing any contract for services. It is advisable to discuss your situation with several WCO agents before agreeing to any contract.
The List of Wildlife Control Operators is provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site. For a directory of Wildlife Control Operators certified by the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA), please see https://www.nwcoa.com/directorypublic.
For technical assistance, permit information, or other information concerning wildlife-related problems, contact any SCDNR Wildlife Section office listed below.
| Region 1 - Clemson 311 Natural Resources Drive Clemson, SC 29631 Phone: 864-654-1671 |
Dennis Wildlife Center 305 Black Oak Road Bonneau, SC 29431 Phone: 843-825-3387 |
|
Region 2 - Florence |
Webb Wildlife Center 1282 Webb Road Garnett, SC 29922 Phone: 803-625-3569 |
| Region 3 - Columbia 1000 Assembly Street Columbia, SC 29202 Phone: 803-734-3886 |
ACE Basin/Donnelley WMA 585 Donnelley Drive Green Pond, SC 29446 Phone: 843-844-8957 |
| Region 4 - Charleston 217 Ft. Johnson Road Charleston, SC 29422 Phone: 843-953-9300 |
Tips for Hiring a Wildlife Control Operator
When hiring a WCO, It is imperative that you:
- Ask for references.
- Compare prices of other WCOs in your area to assist with getting a fair price for the service. Some WCO work
can be expensive if it involves extra materials and/ or labor to solve your problem.
- Home visits may involve a service charge. A reasonable fee for the WCO's time and travel is customary. Do
not feel obligated to hire a WCO after a home or site inspection. Most WCOs can give an estimate over the
phone for routine wildlife situations. However, some situations will require a site inspection fi rst to
ascertain the amount of work to be done and the labor and materials required to complete the job. Comparison
shop fi rst before agreeing to a service charge.
- Get detailed instructions on the work to be performed.
- Have all services and any guarantees in writing.
- Do not sign any contract until an acceptable fee is agreed upon. A signed contract is usually considered a legal document and you will be responsible for any fees charged by the WCO.
- Understand that it is against state law to permit routine relocation of wildlife. No WCO listed in this booklet is permitted to relocate captured wildlife to another location.
- Do not allow any WCO to place any substance inside or around your home without investigating the effects of such substances. There are no registered poisons for squirrels, and any such use is a violation of State and Federal Law. Have the WCO provide documentation explaining the effi cacy of any substance applied. Large quantities of moth balls (naphthalene) can be dangerous to your health and are rarely effective in solving wildlife problems.
- Do not allow anyone to pressure or frighten you into signing a contract or performing a service immediately. Most wildlife problems can wait. Bats inside the living quarters of a home is the most notable exception. All bats found inside the home should be submitted for rabies testing by DHEC.
- Be suspicious of any claims or statements made by a WCO that sound extraordinary, especially if such claims involve a high fee for any such service. If a WCO cannot guarantee the work without such costly services, try another WCO. There are very few quick fi xes in wildlife control.
Contact the SCDNR Furbearer Project at (803) 734-3609 should you have any questions or comments regarding any WCO operating in this state.
The above information on Wildlife Control Operators is provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.
