Wildlife Clean Up
Remove what the animal left behind, and the odor that comes with it.
What we do about it
Once an animal is removed, the mess it leaves behind is often the bigger surprise. Droppings, nesting material, damaged insulation, and lingering odor spread further than the spot where the animal actually lived — materials get dragged around, and hidden corners in attics and crawl spaces can hold debris nobody sees until it’s causing a smell or drawing in other pests.
How it works
Inspect
We find what's active, where it's coming from, and what's attracting it.
Treat
Targeted treatment at the source, using Integrated Pest Management, not blanket spraying.
Protect
Seal, monitor and follow up. Unlimited callbacks for covered pests on a plan.
What to know
What real cleanup involves
We remove droppings, nesting material, and organic waste that’s settled into insulation, floor joists, and ventilation paths, and we track patterns left by the animal to make sure hidden pockets of debris don’t get missed. Insulation is often compressed or soiled beyond saving — when that’s the case, we extract what can’t be salvaged and prepare the space for replacement rather than leaving contaminated material in place.
Odor doesn't come out with a wipe-down
Different animals leave different odor profiles — raccoon smells settle deep into wood, rodent trails are lighter but spread wider, bird nesting material holds moisture that turns musty. We treat based on the actual source rather than a generic deodorizer, and once the space is clear, we handle restoration: re-leveling disturbed insulation, straightening shifted materials, prepping for fresh insulation where needed.
Once they're out, keep them out
Rodent coverage is included in our Comprehensive Rodent & Pest Defense Plan, starting at $65/month, with unlimited callbacks. It’s the easiest way to make sure the next scratching in the attic never happens.
What wildlife clean-up involves
When wildlife has been in your house, the animals are only part of the problem. Droppings, urine, nesting material and sometimes dead animals are left behind, and they don’t go away on their own. Wildlife clean-up is the work of removing that contamination, treating the affected areas and getting the space safe and odor-free again.
Depending on what the inspection finds, cleanup can include:
- Removing droppings, nesting debris and other waste from attics, crawlspaces, wall voids and under decks
- Removing insulation that’s been soiled, compacted or contaminated by urine and droppings
- Sanitizing and deodorizing surfaces and framing that animals have used
- Dealing with stains and odor that attract other animals back to the same spot
- Identifying damage that needs a repair or contractor, such as chewed wiring or ductwork
The scope depends on the animal, how long it was there and how large the affected area is, and we explain it in the estimate before work starts.
Why wildlife cleanup is risky to do yourself
Animal waste can carry serious pathogens, and the way the waste is handled matters as much as the cleaning itself. Common risks include:
- Raccoon roundworm: Raccoon droppings can contain Baylisascaris eggs that are dangerous to people and can persist in the environment for a long time
- Histoplasmosis: A fungus that can grow in large accumulations of bat or bird droppings and causes lung infection when spores become airborne
- Hantavirus: Carried by deer mice and some other rodents, and spread by airborne particles from dried droppings and nests
- Salmonella and leptospirosis: Bacterial infections linked to rodent, raccoon and other wildlife waste and urine
The biggest mistake is dry sweeping or vacuuming droppings, which puts particles into the air where they’re breathed in. Proper cleanup uses protective equipment, including respirators, gloves and disposable coveralls, along with methods that keep dust down and contaminated material contained and disposed of safely.
Contaminated insulation and why it matters
Insulation is one of the most affected parts of a house after animals have been in the attic. It gets flattened by nesting and traffic, soaked with urine and mixed with droppings, and compressed insulation can’t do its job. Over time that means a colder house, higher energy bills and a lingering odor, especially when the heat is on in winter.
There’s also a less obvious reason to deal with it. Urine and droppings carry scent, and that scent can signal to other animals that the spot is a good den. Leaving the contamination in place can invite the next animal even after the first one has been removed and the entry sealed. Where the insulation is heavily contaminated, removal is usually better than trying to treat it, and our team will point out what we find in the inspection so you can decide how to proceed.
The right order: removal, exclusion, then cleanup
Cleanup comes last, and for good reason. If the animals are still in the house, or the entry points are still open, any cleaning is quickly undone by the next round of activity. The right sequence is:
- Remove the animals, in a way that suits the season and the species
- Seal the openings with durable materials through wildlife exclusion
- Clean up and deodorize the affected areas
If you’ve already dealt with the animals yourself, or someone else did, we can still inspect and do the cleanup work, and check that the entry points are properly closed.
Cleanup after specific animals
The work looks different depending on what was in the house.
- Raccoons: Heavy contamination, with latrines and urine-soaked insulation that need careful handling
- Squirrels: Nesting debris, stored food, chewed insulation and droppings spread through the attic
- Bats: Guano buildup that can be extensive in a long-established roost
- Mice and rats: Droppings, nests and contaminated insulation, often through walls and basements
- Dead animals: Fluids, odor and secondary pests that need targeted treatment
We serve Mercer, Somerset and Middlesex counties in New Jersey and Central and Lower Bucks County in Pennsylvania. Request a free estimate or call 609-356-PEST (7378).
Questions we hear about wildlife cleanup
Do I really need cleanup if the animals are gone?
Usually, yes. Droppings, urine and nesting material stay behind and carry health risks, odor and scent that can attract new animals. Even a small, short-term problem can leave contamination in insulation or framing that isn’t obvious without looking.
Can I just vacuum up the droppings?
No. Vacuuming or dry sweeping spreads fine particles into the air, which is how people breathe in the pathogens in animal waste. A regular household vacuum can also spread contamination through the house and doesn’t filter these particles reliably. Contaminated areas should be handled with protective gear and methods that keep dust down.
How do I know how big the job is?
The inspection tells you. We look at how long the animals were there, how far the contamination spread, and what type of insulation and materials are affected, then explain what we found and what the work involves before anything starts.
Will the smell go away?
In most cases, yes, once the source is removed and the area is treated. Odor is a sign that contamination is still present, and removing it, not covering it, is what clears the smell.
What to expect when we come out
Every cleanup starts with a look at the affected areas so we can tell you what’s there before anything is touched. You’ll get a plain explanation of what we found, what needs to be removed or treated, and what can stay. If we see damage that needs a repair, such as chewed wiring or ductwork, we’ll point it out so you can bring in the right trade.
Frequently asked questions
How do animals usually get into a structure in the first place?
Small gaps near rooflines, attic vents, crawlspace openings, or damaged siding are the most common entry points. Once inside, they expand small openings and create paths through insulation and wall cavities as they settle in.
Does wildlife activity really change with the seasons?
Yes — colder months push animals toward sheltered indoor spots, and spring brings more nesting activity as animals look for protected places to raise young. Food availability through the year also affects how boldly they explore new spaces.
Why does this need a professional instead of a basic cleanup?
Waste and residue can soak into surfaces or settle into pockets that are hard to reach without experience, and different species leave behind different contamination patterns. A surface clean often misses what’s actually causing the lingering odor or health concern.
Wildlife Clean Up near you
We’re based in Lawrence Township, NJ and work across Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset counties, plus Bucks County, PA. Town pages for this service, and the county pages that cover everything we do there:
Central New Jersey
Ready to get your home back?
Contact us today if you’re dealing with the aftermath of a wildlife intrusion. We’ll clean it properly and tell you what we find, including anything worth repairing.