How to Hire a Wildlife Control Operator in Indiana: What to Ask and What to Avoid

January 31, 2026

When wildlife moves into your home or causes property damage, the temptation is to call the first phone number you find. But wildlife control in Indiana is a regulated profession, and not everyone advertising these services is qualified or legal. Here is what you need to know before you hire.

Why Registration Matters

Indiana requires anyone performing nuisance wildlife control for compensation to hold a DNR nuisance wildlife control operator registration under IC 14-22-38. This registration:

• Confirms the operator has passed a DNR exam covering Indiana wildlife law and approved control methods
• Authorizes the operator to trap and handle protected species within regulatory limits
• Holds the operator accountable to DNR standards — unregistered operators risk fines and loss of registration

A general pest control license does not substitute for DNR registration when it comes to bats, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, beaver, and other vertebrate wildlife. Always ask specifically for the DNR registration number.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

1. Are you registered with the Indiana DNR as a nuisance wildlife control operator? Ask for the registration number. If they can’t provide one, they are not legally authorized to perform this work for compensation.

2. What method will you use? Good operators explain their approach — live trapping, exclusion, one-way devices — and why it’s appropriate for your situation. Vague answers are a warning sign.

3. How will you handle babies or nursing females? This matters for raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and skunks in the spring. An ethical operator will have a clear answer about locating and safely handling young animals.

4. Does the price include follow-up visits? Live trapping often requires multiple visits. Exclusion work may require a follow-up inspection after 7–14 days. Know what’s included before signing anything.

5. What happens to the animal? Indiana law requires that most trapped nuisance wildlife either be released within the county of capture or humanely euthanized. An operator claiming to “relocate” animals to a distant forest should be asked where exactly and whether that is legal.

6. Do you handle cleanup and remediation? For bat colonies and raccoon latrines, attic remediation is often as important as removal. Ask whether the operator handles this or whether you will need a separate contractor.

7. Are you insured? Reputable operators carry general liability insurance. Wildlife control work involves ladders, attic entry, and traps — insurance protects you if something goes wrong on your property.

Red Flags to Watch For

• No DNR registration number when asked
• Pressure to sign immediately or to pay a large deposit before any inspection
• Extremely low quotes that suddenly grow after work begins
• Guarantees to permanently solve a problem without explaining how exclusion will prevent recurrence
• Recommending poison for raccoons, squirrels, or other wildlife — most wildlife poisons are either illegal for these species or create secondary poisoning risks for pets and raptors
• No written estimate — get all quotes in writing

Seasonal Considerations

Timing matters for several common species:

• Bats: Exclusion prohibited April 1–August 14 (maternity season). Any operator willing to do exclusion during this window is violating DNR rules.
• Raccoons: Spring litters (March–April) mean young may be present in attic nesting areas. Removal should account for this.
• Squirrels: Two breeding seasons — February–March and August–September. Litters may be in attics during these periods.

A knowledgeable operator will factor seasonality into their approach and communicate clearly about it.

Using This Directory

Every operator in this directory is sourced from the Indiana DNR’s publicly available nuisance wildlife control operator list — meaning they hold current DNR registration. You can search by county, browse by animal type, or view all operators and contact them directly.

For additional verification, call the DNR Fish & Wildlife Division at (812) 334-1137.