Hiring a Wildlife Control Operator

Under the authority of their certification, WCOs are able to trap, capture, and remove small game or unclassified wildlife such as raccoons, opossums, skunks, and certain other animals year-round. WCOs do not handle issues involving big game animals such as deer, elk, cougar, bear, or wolf. Those situations must be handled by WDFW officers or WDFW wildlife conflict staff and require different services where conventional trapping/exclusion techniques will not apply.

WCOs provide direct assistance to landowners who are willing to pay for the cost of licensed and trained individuals to resolve their wildlife problems. While many conflicts can be solved with information about an animal's activities, or by adopting a more tolerant stance or doing some repair work, WCOs are recommended for work that poses health or safety hazards or work that requires special trap setting skills and knowledge of wildlife to minimize inhumane treatment of animals.

To find a WCO that operates in your area, select your county from the dropdown menu on this page. This list is updated on a periodic basis. WDFW regional offices also can provide you with a list of companies or individuals that specialize in wildlife control work in your county. If you plan to hire a WCO for nuisance wildlife control work, even if through a Pest Control company, inquire whether or not the individual doing the work is certified. It is unlawful to trap nuisance wildlife on the property of another for a fee or other consideration without a current and valid WCO certification (WAC 232-36-065). A WCO should be able to provide a copy of their WCO certification upon request.

For information about becoming a WCO, visit the FAQ.

• Does the WCO or company hold a valid and current WCO certificate issued by WDFW? Check the expiration date on their certificate to be sure.
• Does the representative appear to be professional and care about their work, the animals involved, and your concerns?
• Does the person appear knowledgeable and take the time to explain not only what the source of the problem is, but also its causes and potential solutions?
• Is the person licensed by the state and bonded or insured against any incidental damage that might occur?
• Is the person willing to give you names and phone numbers of satisfied customers?
• Does the person try to scare you with talk about wildlife diseases or dangerous animals, or do they simply make you aware of the potential risks when dealing with wildlife and that you need to be cautious?
• Are the procedures to be used simply and concisely explained? Recognize that under permit, mandatory euthanization of certain species may be required (see Trapping Wildlife for an explanation on why). Call your WDFW Regional Office for current requirements.
• Does the person have more than one recommendation to resolve the problem, including nonlethal solutions?
• Does this person's approach to the problem include making sure it does not reoccur? This should include a discussion of needed structural repairs or changes and ways you should alter your own habits (e.g., birdfeeder or trash maintenance).
• Is any part of the work guaranteed? Although the kind of guarantee will vary depending upon the species involved and the type of work being performed, getting a guarantee suggests the person might have the experience to back it.
• Does this person offer a written contract? This is a must! Request that the WCO provide a list of the services they will perform and the associated cost in writing.
• Does the person provide a variety of pricing options to fit your budget? For example, can you share in the work by checking cage traps to save trips to your home?
• Ask the person who is responsible for checking the traps how often the traps are to be checked. (The correct answer is that the traps must be checked daily, including weekends and holidays. If you must check the traps, then the trapper must be available to remove the trapped animals.)

Other things to know

• Just because a company charges a lot of money for its services doesn't necessarily mean that it is better or more reputable than other companies. However, be cautious of low quotes; you often get what you pay for.
• Discuss the situation with someone else and do the math to make your own estimate of what you are going to pay per hour for the job. Consider the following: How dangerous is the job? Ladder work is always dangerous. How much travel and equipment is involved to resolve the problem? If the person has to travel 20 miles one-way to reach your location, they will need to get paid for the time both ways. Also consider how expensive it is to live in your area and what kind of warranty or guarantee the company gives.
• Be wary of a company that requires all the money up front. Any reputable company should be satisfied with 50-percent down and the remaining amount due upon completion of the job.
• Be in control of all your negotiations and do not be pressured into buying the service. If it just doesn't feel right, take your business elsewhere.