How Metro Wildlife and Pest Control Works in South Carolina

What Metro Wildlife and Pest Control Does

Metro Wildlife and Pest Control is a private wildlife removal company operating in South Carolina that handles animal intrusions, pest problems, and wildlife exclusion work. Unlike government agencies, Metro is a for-profit business you hire directly—you contact them, describe the problem, and they send a technician to your property. They work on residential and commercial sites across the state, focusing on removal, trapping, exclusion (sealing entry points), and cleanup of animal damage.

The company handles common South Carolina wildlife issues: raccoons in attics, squirrels in walls, snakes on property, bat colonies in buildings, opossum dens under decks, and rodent infestations. They also address pest problems like termites, ants, and other insects that often accompany or follow wildlife damage. Because they are a private contractor, pricing, availability, and service scope depend on the specific company location and the work required—there is no single state rate or standardized coverage.

Key Takeaways

• Metro Wildlife and Pest Control is a private company you hire directly; they are not a government service and do not receive public funding.
• Services include animal trapping and removal, exclusion work (sealing entry points), and cleanup of damage or contamination left behind.
• Cost varies by location, animal type, severity of infestation, and whether the work includes exclusion or cleanup in addition to removal.
• You can contact Metro directly by phone or website to describe your problem and receive a quote before committing to service.
• Many homeowner's insurance policies do not cover wildlife removal, so confirm coverage with your insurer before hiring.

When to Call Metro Instead of Handling It Yourself

Wildlife removal often looks simpler than it is. A raccoon in your attic may seem like a straightforward trap-and-release job, but raccoons are strong, can carry rabies, and may have babies hidden in your walls—removing the mother without finding the young leaves you with a worse problem weeks later. Squirrels chew through drywall and electrical wiring. Bats require special handling because they are protected under South Carolina law, and improper removal can result in fines.

Professional removal saves time and reduces injury risk. Metro technicians know which animals are in your area, what traps work for each species, where to look for entry points you would miss, and how to handle the animal safely once caught. They also know the legal restrictions: some animals cannot be relocated across county lines, some require permits, and some (like bats) have seasonal protections. A technician can also identify why the animal entered in the first place—a gap in your soffit, a hole in your foundation, an open chimney—and recommend exclusion work to prevent return.

How the Removal and Exclusion Process Works

Most Metro jobs follow a similar sequence. You call or submit an online request describing the problem—what animal you have seen, where you have seen it, how long it has been happening. A representative asks follow-up questions: Do you hear sounds at night or during the day? Have you seen droppings? Is there a smell? These details help them estimate what you are dealing with and whether the job requires a full inspection before a quote.

A technician then visits your property, usually within a few days. They inspect the interior and exterior, looking for entry points, signs of nesting, damage, and the extent of the infestation. They explain what they found, what removal will involve, and what it will cost. If you agree, they set a start date. Removal itself may take one visit or several, depending on the animal and the situation. Trapping a single raccoon might take a few days; clearing a bat colony can take weeks if exclusion work is involved, because bats cannot be trapped during certain months when they are raising young.

After removal, exclusion work seals the entry points so the animal cannot return. This might mean caulking gaps, installing chimney caps, screening vents, or repairing damaged soffits. Cleanup follows: removing contaminated insulation, decontaminating surfaces where the animal nested, and disposing of waste properly. Some jobs include all three steps; others are removal only, leaving exclusion and cleanup to you or another contractor.

What Exclusion and Cleanup Involve

Exclusion is the most important step for preventing future problems, but it is also where costs can rise. Sealing a few small gaps costs far less than replacing damaged fascia, installing a full chimney cap system, or screening a large foundation vent. Metro will identify all entry points during the inspection and give you a breakdown of what each repair costs. You can choose to do all of it, some of it, or none—but leaving gaps open means the next raccoon or squirrel will find its way in.

Cleanup addresses contamination. Raccoon feces carry roundworm parasites that can infect humans; bat droppings (guano) can harbor fungal spores that cause respiratory illness if disturbed. Proper cleanup means removing contaminated insulation, sealing and disinfecting affected areas, and sometimes installing new insulation. This work is not optional if you want your home safe and your attic usable again. Metro can handle it, or you can hire a separate restoration company—but it must be done.

Cost Factors and What to Expect to Pay

Metro Wildlife and Pest Control pricing varies by location within South Carolina and by the scope of work. A simple one-animal removal (a single raccoon or opossum) might cost between a few hundred and a thousand dollars, depending on how accessible the animal is and whether trapping takes multiple visits. Bat removal is often more expensive because it requires exclusion work and may involve waiting out seasonal restrictions. Squirrel removal from multiple entry points, or a large rodent infestation, can run higher.

Exclusion work adds to the total. Sealing a few gaps might add a few hundred dollars; replacing damaged fascia or installing a full chimney cap system can add significantly more. Cleanup and decontamination are separate line items. Always ask for an itemized quote that breaks down removal, exclusion, and cleanup separately so you know what each part costs and can decide what to do yourself versus what to hire out.

Most homeowner's insurance policies do not cover wildlife removal or the damage animals cause—they classify it as a maintenance issue, not a covered loss. Check your policy before you hire. Some policies do cover damage caused by wildlife (like chewed wiring) if you can prove the animal caused it, but they rarely cover the removal itself. If you have a service contract with Metro or another pest control company, review what is included; some contracts cover removal but not exclusion, or vice versa.

How to Contact Metro and What Information to Have Ready

You can reach Metro Wildlife and Pest Control by phone or through their website. Have the following information ready when you call: what animal you have seen or suspect (raccoon, squirrel, bat, snake, opossum, rodent), where you have seen it or heard it (attic, walls, under deck, in chimney), how long the problem has been happening, and any damage you have noticed. If you have photos or videos, those help too.

Ask about their inspection fee—some companies charge for an initial visit, others do not. Ask whether they offer a free quote before work begins. Confirm their service area; not all Metro locations cover all of South Carolina. Ask what their timeline looks like: how soon can they inspect, how long does removal typically take, and do they offer emergency service if you have an animal in your home right now. Get the quote in writing before agreeing to work, and ask what happens if the problem is worse than expected or takes longer than estimated.

Legal and Safety Considerations in South Carolina

South Carolina has specific rules about wildlife removal that affect what Metro can and cannot do. Bats are protected under state law; they cannot be killed or relocated during certain months (typically April through August) when mothers are nursing young. Removal during those months requires special permits. Raccoons, squirrels, and opossums can be trapped and relocated, but relocation across county lines is restricted—the animal must be released within the same county or on the property owner's land with permission.

Rabies is a real concern in South Carolina, particularly with raccoons and bats. Never attempt to trap or handle a wild animal yourself if there is any chance of a bite. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately and seek medical attention; rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, but post-exposure treatment is highly effective if given quickly. Metro technicians are trained to handle animals safely and know the signs of rabies. They also carry liability insurance in case something goes wrong on your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trap and relocate the animal myself instead of calling Metro?

You can, but it is riskier and often illegal. South Carolina restricts where you can relocate trapped animals—usually to the same county or your own property. Many people relocate to a park or nature area, which is illegal and simply moves the problem elsewhere. Trapping also requires the right equipment for each species, and handling a trapped wild animal risks bites and scratches. Metro knows the legal requirements and has the equipment and training.

What if the animal comes back after Metro removes it?

If exclusion work was done properly, return is unlikely. If it does happen, most companies offer a warranty period (often 30 to 90 days) during which they will return and re-trap at no charge. Always ask about the warranty before you hire. If you did not do exclusion work, a new animal can enter through the same gaps—exclusion is the real solution.

How long does removal usually take?

It depends on the animal and the situation. A single raccoon might be caught within a few days; a bat colony can take weeks if exclusion must wait for seasonal restrictions to lift. Rodent infestations may require multiple visits over several weeks. Ask Metro for a timeline estimate during the inspection so you know what to expect.

Will Metro handle the damage inside my walls or attic?

Metro removes the animal and can seal entry points, but cleanup and damage repair are often separate services. Ask whether cleanup (removing contaminated insulation, disinfecting) is included in their quote. If not, you can hire them for removal and exclusion, then hire a restoration company for cleanup, or ask Metro for a referral.

What should I do if I see a snake on my property?

Most South Carolina snakes are harmless and help control rodents. If it is not in your home or threatening anyone, leaving it alone is often the best option. If it is in your house or you want it removed, Metro can handle it. Bring a photo or description if you can—knowing whether it is venomous (copperhead, cottonmouth, rattlesnake) affects how the technician approaches removal.