Wildlife removal in Virginia

In Virginia, commercial nuisance wildlife control is regulated by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Paid operators must hold a Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit and adhere to strict wildlife code regulations. Virginia law prohibits the transport and release of rabies-vector species (raccoons, skunks, foxes) outside the county or property of capture to contain rabies.

Get connected with a provider in Virginia

Call (833) 567-5793

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

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Most common wildlife calls in Virginia

Residential nuisance wildlife calls across Virginia 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia. 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 Virginia? Call

Call (833) 567-5793 to speak with an available provider about a wildlife problem at your Virginia property. Nuisance wildlife work in Virginia is regulated by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), and operators work under this licensing rule: Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit. 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 Virginia law allows

Commercial operators must hold a Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit from the Virginia DWR.
Under 4VAC15-30-50, it is unlawful to transport, release, or relocate wildlife off the property of capture without a permit.
Rabies-vector species (raccoons, skunks, foxes) may never be relocated across county borders or onto public lands.
Virginia DWR permit conditions: bats may not be excluded or removed from a structure during the maternity season (May 1 through August 15) except when no young bats are present or there is a threat to human health or safety.
Property owners experiencing direct property damage may trap nuisance furbearers on their own premises.

Rules paraphrased from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) — 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

Under Virginia administrative code 4VAC15-30-50, it is unlawful to transport, release, or relocate any trapped wildlife off the property of capture without a specific written DWR permit. Rabies-vector species (raccoons, skunks, foxes) cannot be transported across county borders under any circumstances.

Bat rules

Under Virginia DWR's Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit, the bat maternity season runs May 1 through August 15, inclusive. Permit holders may not exclude or remove bats from a structure during that period except when no young bats are present or there is a threat to human health or safety. Since January 1, 2025, permittees who perform bat conflict management must also complete DWR-approved bat training and pass an exam.

Source: Virginia DWR – Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit · Last verified: October 2026

City guides in Virginia

Roanoke

Independent city · Common calls: raccoons, gray squirrels, bats

Lynchburg

Independent city · Common calls: raccoons, gray squirrels, groundhogs

Fredericksburg

Independent city · Common calls: bats, gray squirrels, raccoons

Suffolk

Independent city · Common calls: raccoons, snakes, opossums

Hampton

Independent city · Common calls: raccoons, gray squirrels, bats

Virginia wildlife law FAQs

Can raccoons or skunks be relocated in Virginia?

No. Virginia DWR regulations strictly prohibit the off-site relocation of raccoons, skunks, and other rabies-vector species. Captured nuisance animals must be released on the continuous premises of capture or humanely euthanized.

Do wildlife control operators need a license in Virginia?

Yes. Commercial operators charging for wildlife control must hold an active Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit issued by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

When is bat exclusion legal in Virginia homes?

Virginia DWR defines the bat maternity season as May 1 through August 15, inclusive. Under DWR's Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit conditions, bats may not be excluded or removed from a structure in that period except when no young bats are present or there is a threat to human health or safety. Schedule exclusion before May 1 or after August 15.

What should I do if a bat enters my Virginia living space at night?

Do not swat or release it immediately if anyone was asleep in the room, as bat bites can be unnoticeable. Isolate the bat in the room, contact local animal control or a wildlife specialist for rabies testing guidance, and consult public health authorities.

Talk to someone about your wildlife problem

Call (833) 567-5793

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