Wildlife & Animal Removal
Wildlife and animal removal for Fountain Hills, Rio Verde, and the northeast Valley
From rock squirrels and chipmunks to raccoons, skunks, and nuisance birds, Cummings safely removes the desert wildlife that gets into northeast Valley homes — then seals the gaps that let them back in.
- Family-owned since 1972
- Certified & fingerprinted techs
- Free inspections
- Residential & commercial
Overview
Professional wildlife & animal removal in Arizona
Cummings Termite & Pest provides humane wildlife and animal removal for homeowners across Fountain Hills, Rio Verde, Carefree, Cave Creek, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the surrounding northeast Valley. Living on the edge of the Sonoran Desert and the McDowell Mountains means sharing the landscape with rock squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, skunks, woodpeckers, swallows, and other animals that readily move into attics, walls, chimneys, and crawl spaces.
Effective wildlife control is not just trapping — it is removal plus exclusion. Our technicians identify how an animal is getting in, remove it safely, then seal entry points so the problem does not simply repeat with the next animal. We focus on the structure as much as the animal, because an open soffit, uncapped vent, or gap under a tile roof is an open invitation in this part of the Valley.
We handle the nuisance wildlife homeowners deal with most in the northeast Valley and along the Verde River corridor near Rio Verde. For bats, rodents (rats and mice), and snakes, we offer dedicated services — see bat removal, rodent control, and snake removal — and we will point you to the right solution during your free inspection.
Quick comparison
Professional exclusion vs. poison or DIY trapping
Why removal-plus-exclusion solves a wildlife problem for good, while poison and store-bought traps usually do not.
| Attribute | Professional exclusion | Poison or DIY trapping |
|---|---|---|
| Stops re-entry | Yes — entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot get in | No — the opening stays open, so a new animal often moves in within weeks |
| Dead-animal risk | Animal is removed alive from the structure, not left to die inside | Poisoned animals frequently die in walls or attics, causing odor and flies |
| Safety for pets and kids | No bait or toxicants left where pets, children, or wildlife can reach them | Rodenticides and bait stations pose secondary-poisoning risk to pets and raptors |
| Legality and humaneness | Methods follow Arizona regulations and account for nesting young | DIY removal can be illegal for some species and may orphan young in spring |
| Long-term result | A sealed, animal-proofed structure — the problem is resolved | A recurring cycle of catching one animal after another |
Why it matters here
The Arizona factor
Our desert climate creates pest pressures you won't find in most of the country. Here's why timely treatment matters locally.
- 1
The northeast Valley puts homes right up against wildlife habitat. Properties in Fountain Hills, Rio Verde, and Cave Creek border desert preserves, mountain foothills, and the Verde River corridor, so rock squirrels, round-tailed ground squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and birds have constant access to neighborhoods. Animals that would stay wild elsewhere learn that attics and crawl spaces offer shade, water, and shelter from desert extremes.
- 2
Summer heat and monsoon storms push wildlife toward structures. Attics and wall voids stay cooler and dry, irrigation and pools provide water, and citrus, gardens, and pet food provide an easy meal. Rock squirrels in particular are strong diggers and climbers that exploit roof gaps, while raccoons and skunks den under decks and sheds to raise young in spring — the season we get the most northeast Valley calls.
- 3
Some desert wildlife carries real risk. Raccoon and rodent droppings can harbor disease, skunks and other mammals are rabies-vector species in Arizona, and animals nesting in a structure bring fleas, ticks, and mites with them. Birds like woodpeckers and swallows can also cause ongoing damage to stucco and fascia. Removing the animal and sealing the entry promptly protects both the structure and the people inside.
Our approach
How Cummings treats it
A clear, proven process — no guesswork, no upselling. Every plan starts with a free inspection.
- 01
Free inspection and entry-point mapping
A Cummings technician inspects the roofline, attic, vents, soffits, foundation, and surrounding landscape to identify the species involved and exactly how it is getting in or denning. Knowing the animal and the access point determines whether the right answer is trapping, direct removal, or exclusion.
- 02
Safe, humane removal
We remove the animal using methods appropriate to the species and Arizona regulations — live trapping and removal, hands-on removal, or one-way exclusion devices that let an animal leave but not return. In spring, we take care to account for young so a den is not left behind in a wall or attic.
- 03
Exclusion and entry sealing
This is what keeps the problem from coming back. We seal and reinforce the gaps animals use — roof and gable vents, soffit and fascia gaps, tile-roof edges, foundation openings, and weak points around utilities — with durable, weather-appropriate materials built for desert conditions.
- 04
Cleanup, sanitation, and prevention guidance
Where needed, we address droppings and contaminated nesting material and recommend deterrents and landscape changes — trimming back limbs, securing pet food and trash, capping chimneys — that make your property far less attractive to the next animal looking for a way in.
Where we work
Wildlife & Animal Removal across the East Valley
We treat homes and businesses throughout Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, and the surrounding communities.
- Wildlife & Animal Removal in Fountain Hills
- Wildlife & Animal Removal in Scottsdale
- Wildlife & Animal Removal in Paradise Valley
- Wildlife & Animal Removal in Rio Verde
- Wildlife & Animal Removal in Carefree
- Wildlife & Animal Removal in Cave Creek
- Wildlife & Animal Removal in Mesa
- Wildlife & Animal Removal in Gilbert
- Wildlife & Animal Removal in Chandler
FAQs
Wildlife & Animal Removal questions
Answers to what Arizona homeowners ask us most. Don't see yours? Just reach out.
We handle the nuisance wildlife northeast Valley homeowners deal with most — rock squirrels and ground squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, skunks, and nuisance birds such as woodpeckers and swallows, along with the entry points they use. For bats, rats and mice, and snakes we have dedicated services, and we will direct you to the right one during your free inspection.
Yes. We prioritize live removal and one-way exclusion that lets an animal leave on its own, follow Arizona regulations for each species, and take care to account for young during spring denning season so nothing is left trapped inside a wall or attic. The goal is to get the animal out and keep it out, not simply to poison it in place.
In the northeast Valley, attic and ceiling noise is most often rock squirrels, ground squirrels, rats, or occasionally a raccoon or bird that has found a gap in the roofline. The pattern and timing offer clues — squirrels are active by day, rodents and raccoons more at night — but a quick inspection is the reliable way to identify it and find the entry point.
Yes. The northeast Valley — Fountain Hills, Rio Verde, Carefree, Cave Creek, north Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley — is exactly where we see the most wildlife pressure because these homes border desert preserve, mountain foothills, and the Verde River corridor. It is a core part of our service area.
Exclusion is the key. Removing the animal solves today's problem, but sealing the roof vents, soffit and fascia gaps, tile-roof edges, and foundation openings it used is what prevents the next one from moving in. We also recommend simple steps like trimming branches away from the roof, securing trash and pet food, and capping chimneys.
Call 480-994-9599 or email info@cummingspest.com to schedule a free inspection. A Cummings technician will identify the animal, find how it is getting in, and recommend a removal-and-exclusion plan for your Fountain Hills, Rio Verde, Scottsdale, or northeast Valley property.
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Get a free, no-obligation inspection for wildlife & animal removal. Family-owned and serving Arizona since 1972.