Nuisance Wildlife

Sometimes wildlife find their way into our homes. While we highly encourage all humane methods possible, please see resources below.

I have a bunny nest in my yard!

Each year, hundreds of people report inconvenient bunny nests that are found on their property and request that they be removed. But did you know that they will leave on their own at just 2-3 weeks of age? That's right! Bunnies are still just babies when they leave the nest, fully independent from mom. We do not take healthy baby bunnies, as we get dozens of babies that actually need our help. Therefore, we ask that finders do their part to keep them safe. See below for more information about wild cottontail nests, and what you can do to ensure their safety and survival.

Can I move the nest to a safer area?

A mother rabbit memorizes the exact location of her nest. This means that a nest cannot be moved, even a few inches away, or she will not find it.

I have a dog! What can I do to keep the nest safe?

Please walk your dog on a leash when taking them outside until the babies leave the nest. They will disperse and leave on their own within 3 weeks! There are also many other ways to protect a nest, such as placing a wheelbarrow or laundry basket on top weighed down with bricks. Make sure there is a hole large enough for the mother to get in and out.

What if the nest is abandoned?

Rabbit nests are almost never actually abandoned. The mother rabbit picks a spot to make her nest, has her babies, and then leaves them alone for most of the day and night. She will only return once or twice within a 24 hour period to feed her babies, which usually takes less than 5 minutes! If you are worried that a nest has been truly abandoned, we ask that you get in contact with us and send us a photo of a baby in the nest. We will be able to tell if they have been fed or not!

I found a destroyed nest!

If your dog or cat got into a nest of bunnies, please check each baby carefully for any wounds. If a baby is wet with saliva or has a wound or scratch, even if it is not severe, they must be brought to a rehabber to prevent infection. Place uninjured babies back into the nest and rebuild it the best you can! It is a myth that animals will abandon their babies if they smell like humans.

How can I tell if a baby bunny is okay to be on its own?

Baby bunnies leave the nest at only 3 weeks of age. If they are the size of a baseball, fully furred, and their ears are erect, they should be left alone! If they are found in an inconvenient or unsafe location, they may be moved to a treeline close by.

Raccoons in my attic!

Attics and other man-made buildings are unfortunately popular nesting locations for mother raccoons. If you find a raccoon in your attic or under your deck, chances are it is a nursing mother just trying to keep her babies warm and safe.

Our most frequent raccoon patients are the babies of mothers that were trapped and killed or relocated. This is an incredibly sad outcome and can be prevented much easier than people tend to think. Before you reach for your phone and call an exterminator or removal company, we passionately urge you to try out the methods listed in this section.

Try these removal tips to save money and families!

1. Put lights close to the nest. This can be achieved with flashlights or another method of lighting up the area. Raccoons prefer it to be dark, and lights are sometimes enough to get them to leave on their own.

2. Noise! Placing an old radio near the nest is a great way to get a mother raccoon to pack up her babies and leave.

3. Get some Raccoon Eviction Fluid (yes, this is a real thing!) on Amazon. Soak rags or socks with the fluid and place them near the nest site. We recommend using this along with vinegar or ammonia. Do not mix them together!

4. If you happen to be able to physically reach the babies, they can be placed into a box and set into an area that the mother can retrieve them from.

How does it work?

Raccoons naturally choose multiple den sites before giving birth, so that if one becomes unsafe, they can move. Making the area undesirable for the mother to stay in will cause her to move her babies one by one to her back up den.

Why can't I trap and relocate?

This seemingly harmless method of removal is discouraged for a few reasons.

1. You may unintentionally separate a mother from her babies, leaving them orphaned. This is the most common reason that we get baby raccoons into our rescue. Please try other methods so that we have the space to take in babies that actually need help!

2. Relocating a raccoon to an unfamiliar area subjects that raccoon to a slow, stressful, and preventable death. Raccoons have established territories with multiple den sites, food stashes, and water sources. Placing a raccoon into a new area not only forces that raccoon to struggle to survive, but it disturbs the established population of raccoons that are already there. This can result in fighting, death, or population booms.

Nuisance Wildlife Companies

AAA Exterminating

4412 Conner St
Noblesville, IN 46060

Phone 317-773-3797

Indianapolis Exterminator Services
About AAA Exterminating Inc
Founded in 1952, AAA Exterminating is proud to offer over 70 years of exterminating services, knowledge, and dependability. We are a family owned and operated pest control firm, rather than a national firm or a franchised operation. All our technicians are fully licensed and insured, and our qualified staff works hard to provide our customers with the timely, quality service they deserve.

Being a local company allows our staff members to have a personal relationship with each of our clients. Instead of being transferred directly to a computer automated voicemail, you'll always speak directly with a friendly and knowledgeable staff member ready to answer all of your questions. If you would prefer to speak with an owner, there is always one available for you!

We can adjust quickly to better suit our customer’s needs, offering flexible and no interest programs for termite pest control, no contracts to sign for general pest control programs, direct contact with your technician, and a knowledgeable, friendly staff who care about you and your pest issue.

We maintain a new fleet of vehicles that are fully equipped to handle a variety of pest control problems. Education and safety procedures are provided by the company and through Purdue University’s continuing education programs.

Because we are a family owned and operated business, we can network closely and provide constant communication to our employees and customers. This enables our company to offer higher quality services and relationships to our customers. Call AAA Exterminating now for an estimate – absolutely free.

In the past AAA Exterminating has brought orphaned wildlife, animals in need of rehabilitation, and wildlife that can be released to Hoosier Wildlife Rescue in an effort to further conservation efforts.