Wildlife Removal & Animal Control in Fort Worth, TX
Wildlife removal in the Fort Worth area starts with knowing which animal you have. Texas handles raccoons, opossums, skunks, squirrels and birds under different rules, and the right response depends on the species and the season. Spyder Pest Solutions inspects first, explains your options, and works within Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), state rabies and federal bird rules. Moving an animal to another location is never promised.
You can book online or call (817) 715-2595 to set up an inspection.
What animals does Spyder handle, and what doesn't this page cover? #
Spyder handles nuisance wildlife exclusion and removal for raccoons, opossums, squirrels, skunks, and nuisance birds such as pigeons, house sparrows and starlings. We do not offer bat, armadillo, snake, coyote, fox, feral hog or mole work. Rats and mice are covered on our mice control page.
Spyder Pest Solutions LLC holds Texas Department of Agriculture structural pest control license TPCL #0954843. The general pest license category covers pest animals that invade homes, and skunks, raccoons and opossums are named examples in the state's rules. That license does not replace TPWD or rabies-quarantine rules, which apply on top of it.
| Animal | Texas status | Rabies risk (DSHS) |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Fur-bearing animal | High risk |
| Skunk | Fur-bearing animal | High risk |
| Opossum | Fur-bearing animal | Low risk |
| Fox or gray squirrel | Game animal | Low risk |
| Pigeon, house sparrow, starling | Not federally protected | n/a |
| Native birds | Protected, with their active nests | n/a |
How do I know if raccoons are in my attic, chimney or crawl space? #
Raccoons are almost entirely nocturnal, so the first clue is usually noise at night. According to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, signs include:
- Thumping in the attic after dark, or chirping from a chimney.
- Brown smudges and fine scratches on surfaces they climb.
- Torn shingles or a damaged vent. An opening as small as 4 to 6 inches wide can be enough for entry.
- Latrines, which are shared spots where droppings pile up.
Most Texas raccoon young are born in April or May. A female with kits in an attic or chimney is the main reason timing matters. UNL says to wait until the young can leave, typically 6 to 8 weeks, or to hire a qualified professional.
Raccoon droppings also carry a health concern. The CDC says raccoon roundworm eggs take about 2 to 4 weeks to become infectious, so feces should be removed promptly and carefully. Infection happens by accidentally swallowing eggs, and the CDC calls human infections rare. See the CDC's roundworm page for cleanup guidance.
What are the signs of opossums? #
Opossums are cat-sized and grayish, with a scaly tail, and they are active only at night. TPWD notes they shelter under buildings and in attics, and they usually have two litters a year. Signs point to night-time activity around the attic, crawl space or underside of the structure.
DSHS rates opossums as low risk for spreading rabies. Texas A&M AgriLife notes they can carry murine typhus, so avoid handling one or its droppings.
How can I tell if squirrels are in the attic? #
Fox squirrels, the most common squirrel in Texas, are active by day, mostly early morning and late afternoon. That separates them from raccoons and rats. Texas A&M AgriLife reports that attics, garages and sheds can all become nesting sites. Look for:
- Scratching or scampering in the attic or walls in the morning and late afternoon.
- Chewed wiring, siding or insulation. University of Missouri Extension warns about this damage, and Texas A&M notes the chewing may raise fire risk.
- Branches that touch the roof and give squirrels a path to it.
Fox squirrels breed in January to February and again in May to June, and young leave the nest at 7 to 8 weeks. That is why a "squirrel noise" in spring or early summer may mean babies. See Texas A&M's fox squirrel guide for biology and management.
What should I do about a skunk under my deck or house? #
Skunks usually den under houses, porches and decks, and only rarely in attics. A striped skunk has a white stripe down each side and is largely nocturnal.
DSHS lists skunks among the Texas animals at high risk of spreading rabies. Do not approach one. A skunk walking around in daylight, or acting unsteady or oddly, is a reason to call animal control rather than handle the situation yourself. Texas A&M AgriLife suggests dusting flour at a den entrance, which shows tracks leaving after dark. Once the skunk is gone, the opening can be sealed with sheet metal or hardware cloth.
Spray reaches roughly 10 feet, so give the den plenty of room. Do not seal an opening until you know nothing is inside, because young could be trapped inside.
What problems do nuisance birds cause, and which ones can be removed? #
Pigeons, house sparrows and starlings nest in eaves, vents and chimneys and leave droppings behind. Droppings matter for health: the CDC says histoplasmosis comes from breathing spores of a fungus that grows in soil enriched by bird and bat droppings. The CDC says the infection is not passed from person to person or to pets. Read the CDC's overview.
The law splits birds into two groups, and it affects what can be done:
- Not federally protected: house sparrows, European starlings and feral pigeons. TPWD says control is allowed at any time, including destroying their nests and eggs, but no method may break a city or county ordinance.
- Protected: almost all native birds, their eggs and their active nests. Cliff and barn swallows nest on eaves from March through September. Chimney swifts nest in chimneys in the warm months, and TPWD says late fall is the better time to clean a chimney. See TPWD's swift guidance.
According to USFWS, you don't need a permit to destroy an inactive nest, meaning one with no eggs or chicks. An active nest needs a permit, and USFWS says nuisance problems alone are not grounds for one. Hazing birds needs no federal permit unless eagles or threatened or endangered species are involved. That is why a technician identifies the species before anything else.
Is it legal to relocate raccoons, skunks, opossums or squirrels in Texas? #
Rarely, and never casually. Relocation of these animals is tightly restricted, which is why Spyder will not promise it.
Raccoons, opossums and skunks are fur-bearing animals. Under TPWD's nuisance fur-bearer rules, a landowner or the landowner's agent may take nuisance fur-bearers on that land without a hunting or trapping license, but may not keep the animals or pelts. Moving one to another site requires TPWD authorization and permission from the owner of the release property. A monthly report is also required. Live and box traps set for fur-bearers must be checked at least once every 36 hours.
Raccoons and skunks also fall under the statewide rabies quarantine. The DSHS transport rule makes it illegal to move a live fox, skunk, coyote or raccoon into, out of or around the state. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor. Exemptions exist for certain groups, including entities authorized by TPWD for nuisance fur-bearer relocation. Exempt people must release the animal within 10 miles of capture and in the same county. Opossums are not covered by the quarantine, but the TPWD rule still applies.
Within Fort Worth city limits, residents may not relocate high-risk rabies animals. The City of Fort Worth says Animal Care & Control no longer picks up or lends traps for squirrels or opossums, except in rabies exposures and bites.
Squirrels are game animals. Under 31 Texas Administrative Code §65.116, a landowner or agent may live-trap, move and release nuisance squirrels without a permit only if every condition is met. Those include a local-ordinance condition, written permission from the release-site owner, labeled traps that don't injure the animal, humane handling and a 24-hour release limit. Texas A&M adds that moving squirrels can stress them and may spread disease.
This is a plain summary, not legal advice. Check current rules with TPWD or DSHS before moving an animal.
How does wildlife exclusion work? #
Exclusion means getting the animal out and then closing the entry points so nothing returns. Habitat changes, removal and exclusion usually work together. Cornell's wildlife program says animal-resistant vents and chimney covers generally give the best long-term results. It also notes squirrels may chew back in past a one-way door, so a single device is rarely enough. Common exclusion steps from university sources include:
- Capping chimneys. UNL advises having stainless steel caps made by professionals for every flue.
- Covering attic vents and similar openings from the inside with 1/2-inch hardware cloth, per University of Missouri.
- Repairing damaged soffits, eaves, rotten boards and broken windows.
- Trimming branches that give animals a path to the roof.
- Securing trash cans and bringing pet food indoors.
Repairs come last. UNL warns never to seal an opening until you're sure wildlife is no longer using it. Closing it too early can trap young inside. Afterward, droppings and nesting material may need cleanup.
How does Spyder handle a wildlife call? #
Spyder is family-run and owner-operated. Every job starts with an inspection, because the animal, its entry point and the time of year decide what is allowed. Here is how it goes:
- Inspection. The technician looks for the animal, its signs, entry points and any young.
- Options explained. The technician explains what the state and federal rules allow for that species, and what each option involves.
- Pricing. Cost is quoted after the inspection. Call for pricing.
Booking is online at /book or by phone, and the office confirms your appointment time. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm, at 112 N Las Vegas Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76108.
How can I prepare for a visit? #
- Note when you hear noises (night or day) and where.
- Write down what you've seen: droppings, smudges, torn vents, chewed wires.
- Secure trash and pick up pet food.
- Keep children and pets away from the attic, crawl space or nest. Don't handle the animal, its droppings or its young.
- Don't seal holes or block entries before the inspection.
- Leave any bird nest alone until the species is identified.
- Make sure the technician can reach the attic hatch, crawl-space door or roof access.
Where does Spyder work? #
We serve White Settlement, west Fort Worth, Westworth Village, River Oaks, Lake Worth and Benbrook. If you live nearby and aren't sure you're in range, call and ask.
For professional help, see our wildlife removal and exclusion service page. It explains what the service covers, how a visit goes and what to do before the technician arrives.