Wildlife removal in Missouri

Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) regulates nuisance wildlife under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners can trap damage-causing wildlife without a permit, but commercial operators must have an active NWCO agreement. Relocation is discouraged due to disease risks.

Get connected with a provider in Missouri

Call (833) 567-5793

Call to speak with an available provider. Coverage varies by location.

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Most common wildlife calls in Missouri

Residential nuisance wildlife calls across Missouri concentrate heavily around five persistent species. Each presents distinct property damage risks and legal handling protocols:

Raccoons in attics and chimneys

Raccoons are powerful animals capable of tearing through rotted fascia, prying open soffit returns, and nesting inside uncapped chimney flues. In Missouri, maternal denning peaks from late winter through spring. Removing adult raccoons while kits remain trapped inside wall cavities can lead to severe structural damage. Learn how raccoon removal works, including humane eviction strategies and roundworm latrine sanitization.

Gray and flying squirrels in rooflines

Squirrels enter through dime- to golf-ball-sized gaps along ridge vents, gable vents, and roof intersections. Once established in attic insulation, their continuous gnawing habit presents serious fire hazards when electrical wiring insulation is stripped. Review proven methods for professional squirrel removal from attics and whole-house exclusion repairs.

Colonial bats in attics and tile roofs

Bats squeeze through exterior gaps as narrow as 3/8 of an inch, colonizing dark attic corners and roof valleys. Because bats are ecologically valuable and federally or state protected throughout Missouri, poisons and lethal traps are strictly illegal. Exclusion must be carefully timed around breeding cycles to avoid trapping non-volant pups inside. Read our guide to humane bat exclusion services and state-regulated exclusion calendars.

Snakes in crawl spaces and basements

Snakes follow rodent scent trails into damp crawl spaces, basements, and foundation gaps across Missouri. While the majority of indoor encounters involve nonvenomous rat snakes or garter snakes, venomous species such as copperheads, cottonmouths, or rattlesnakes require extreme caution. If a snake is discovered in an occupied living space, contact local specialists for emergency snake removal rather than risking an unverified strike.

Skunks and opossums under decks and porches

Low-clearance concrete porches, deck steps, and open foundation vents offer attractive winter denning sites for skunks and opossums. Skunk burrowing can undermine slab stability, while seasonal territorial spraying permeates subflooring and indoor living areas. Technicians utilize humane cage trapping and subterranean barrier trenching for long-term skunk removal under decks and humane opossum removal.

Need wildlife help in Missouri? Call

Call (833) 567-5793 to speak with an available provider about a wildlife problem at your Missouri property. Nuisance wildlife work in Missouri is regulated by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and operators work under this licensing rule: Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) agreement. That is why what can lawfully be done — trapping, relocation, bat exclusion timing — is spelled out in the sections below.

The independent provider sets the scope and the price for your property; confirm both on the call. Coverage varies by location. See how removal works for each animal or the wildlife removal laws by state.

What Missouri law allows

Landowners do not need a permit to trap most nuisance wildlife causing damage on their property.
Commercial operators must sign an active NWCO agreement with the MDC.
MDC strongly discourages the relocation of trapped wildlife due to low survival rates and disease spread.
Local municipal ordinances often restrict trapping methods and must be verified.

Rules paraphrased from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) — the primary source. Last reviewed 2026-07-16. Compare wildlife regulations, trap check mandates, and operator licensing standards across state borders in our comprehensive guide to wildlife removal laws by state.

Relocation rules

Missouri conservation guidelines strongly advise against relocation. Trapped nuisance furbearers should be released on-site or humanely euthanized in accordance with local regulations.

Bat rules

All Missouri bats are protected under the Wildlife Code of Missouri; nine species are of conservation concern and three are state endangered. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) publishes no exact legal exclusion dates; it says young may be present during May, June, or July (varies by species) and advises delaying any action until they can exit with the adults.

Source: Missouri Department of Conservation – Bat Control · Last verified: October 2026

City guides in Missouri

Kansas City

Jackson County · Common calls: raccoons, squirrels, bats

Lee's Summit

Jackson County · Common calls: squirrels, raccoons, bats

Independence

Jackson County · Common calls: raccoons, squirrels, bats

Blue Springs

Jackson County · Common calls: raccoons, squirrels, bats

Liberty

Clay County · Common calls: raccoons, squirrels, bats

Missouri wildlife law FAQs

Can I relocate a trapped squirrel or raccoon in Missouri?

While landowners can trap nuisance animals, MDC does not recommend relocation due to the high risk of spreading diseases like rabies and distemper. On-site release or humane dispatch is recommended.

Do Missouri wildlife operators need to be licensed?

Commercial operators do not have a traditional state license but must have an active Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) agreement on file with the MDC.

What should I do if a raccoon is in my chimney in Missouri?

Never start a fire or attempt to smoke them out, as juvenile kits will perish inside. Licensed operators use eviction scents or safe manual removal, followed by heavy-duty stainless steel chimney cap installation.

How are bats protected under the Wildlife Code of Missouri?

All Missouri bats are protected under the Wildlife Code of Missouri; nine species are of conservation concern and three are state endangered. MDC advises caution with bat problems, says young may be present during May, June, or July, and recommends delaying any action until they can exit with the adults. MDC does not publish exact legal exclusion dates.

Talk to someone about your wildlife problem

Call (833) 567-5793

Call to speak with an available provider. Coverage varies by location.