Humane Wildlife Control in Fairfax County, VA
The Humane Wildlife Control Society recommends non-invasive solutions to resolve human-wildlife conflicts. This includes:
Determining if the issue needs to be addressed at all
Opting for preventative measures first
Opting for wildlife exclusion as opposed to trapping
If trapping is the only way to solve the problem do so humanely
The Humane Wildlife Control Society screens candidates prior to recommendation. Our process requires any company we recommend to meet the following criteria:
Is properly licensed in Virginia for wildlife control
Carries appropriate business licenses and insurance
Complies with all Virginia laws and regulations for wildlife control
Adheres to the humane principles listed above.
In Fairfax County, Virginia we recommend Humane Wildlife Removal Fairfax County for professional wildlife control services. This is a private company that charges for their services.
Contact Information:
Xceptional Wildlife Removal
703-881-3164
If you have any wildlife issues that can be handled by the state government agency for free, the Virginia Wildlife Commission can help.
State Contact Information: (804) 367-1000
The State Department of Agriculture may also be able to address your wildlife problem for no charge.
USDA Contact Information: (804) 786-3501
Humane Animal Removal in Fairfax County, Virginia Why Humane Removal is Essential Research-Supported Humane Removal Methods Exclusion: Preventing entry is the most effective long-term strategy, per the National Wildlife Control Training Program. Seal gaps in roofs, vents, and foundations with durable materials like galvanized steel mesh (¼-inch gauge) or concrete—wood succumbs to gnawing. One-way exclusion devices, proven by peer-reviewed research, allow animals like bats or squirrels to exit attics or walls without re-entering, avoiding harm or abandonment of young. This method is permanent when executed thoroughly. Legal and Ethical Framework Benefits of Humane Removal Early Detection: Watch for signs—gnawing, droppings, or nocturnal noises—and respond promptly to limit damage.
Protecting Our Community and Wildlife Responsibly
Fairfax County, Virginia, spanning 406 square miles of urban, suburban, and wooded landscapes near Washington, D.C., is a thriving region where human development intersects with abundant wildlife—raccoons, squirrels, bats, skunks, foxes, and more. Proximity to parks like Burke Lake and the Potomac River amplifies these interactions, bringing animals into homes, yards, and businesses. These encounters can lead to property damage, health risks (e.g., rabies or histoplasmosis from bat guano, per CDC data), and safety concerns. Fairfax County mandates humane animal removal as the ethical, effective, and legally compliant solution. This page provides research-backed guidance to raise awareness and ensure responsible action by residents, grounded in science and local policy.
Unmanaged wildlife poses documented threats: raccoons destroy insulation and spread parasites, squirrels chew electrical wiring (a fire hazard noted by the National Fire Protection Association), and bats, while ecologically vital, can transmit diseases when roosting indoors. Lethal methods—poisons or kill traps—are not only inhumane but often counterproductive. Research from the Humane Society of the United States shows that killing animals creates a vacuum effect, where new individuals quickly repopulate, perpetuating conflicts. Moreover, such tactics risk harming non-target species, pets, or children and violate Virginia law. Humane removal resolves these issues without cruelty, aligning with Fairfax County’s commitment to public safety and ecological stewardship.
Fairfax County endorses these evidence-based techniques, validated by wildlife management studies and enforced under local and state regulations:
Live Trapping and Relocation: For animals already inside, humane live traps—secure cages with spring-loaded doors—capture wildlife safely. Virginia DWR regulations prohibit relocating most species due to disease risks (e.g., rabies) and territorial stress, meaning trapped animals are often managed locally by licensed professionals. Exceptions, like bats, require DWR permits and relocation to approved habitats, ensuring survival and ecological balance.
Habitat Modification: Reducing attractants prevents conflicts, cutting incursion rates by up to 70%, per Wildlife Society estimates. Secure trash with locking lids (Fairfax County Code Chapter 109), remove pet food or birdseed outdoors, and trim branches 10 feet from roofs to block access by squirrels or raccoons. These measures disrupt wildlife patterns, minimizing the need for removal.
Fairfax County’s Wildlife Dynamics
Our region’s mix of suburban sprawl, historic homes, and natural areas—Huntley Meadows Park, Mason Neck—creates unique challenges. Harsh winters (averaging 20+ inches of snow, NOAA data) drive animals indoors, with peak activity from December to February, per DWR records. Spring breeding swells populations in areas like Fairfax City or Reston, while urban food sources—trash, compost—sustain year-round pressure. Bats, protected under Virginia law for their pest-control role, roost in older structures along Route 50 or near Tysons. These factors demand proactive, humane removal to prevent health risks (e.g., raccoon roundworm) and costly repairs (thousands annually, Humane Society estimates).
Virginia’s Wildlife Code (Title 29.1) and Fairfax County ordinances (Chapter 41) govern animal removal, prohibiting cruelty and restricting lethal methods in residential zones. The DWR bans relocation of most nuisance wildlife to curb disease spread—rabies cases in Fairfax County averaged 20 annually from 2015-2020 (VDH data)—and requires permits for handling protected species like bats, impacted by white-nose syndrome. Fairfax County’s Wildlife Management Program, led by specialists like Dr. Katherine Edwards, reinforces humane practices, noting lethal control as a last resort only when public safety is imminently threatened. Ethical removal respects wildlife’s ecological value while prioritizing community well-being.
Public Health: Avoids disease vectors and chemical hazards, per EPA guidelines.
Property Protection: Prevents structural damage without escalating costs.
Sustainability: Preserves beneficial species, supporting Fairfax County’s biodiversity goals.
Your Role in Humane Removal
Residents must act responsibly:
Prevention First: Fortify properties before winter and maintain sanitation year-round, per county waste guidelines.
Professional Assistance: Contact DWR-licensed operators for trapping or exclusion—DIY risks legal violations and ineffective outcomes. The Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline (1-855-571-9003) offers guidance, not free removal.
