What are the most common wildlife species
that live in urban cities?
The most common wildlife species encounter in urban
surroundings, includes but are not limited to: deer,
raccoon, red fox, opossum, black bears, squirrels,
chipmunks and alligators.
Why are these animals living in my
community?
Many of these urbanized animals are living with
humans due to local land development and growth that
was once their own natural habitat and home. Most
urbanized wildlife species are opportunistic, intelligent
creatures that have adapted well to our urban and
suburban landscapes. Combined with a general lack
of predators and an easy access to food sources, such
as: garbage cans, compost bins, gardens and outdoor
pet food bowls some wildlife species have been able to
proliferate in most developed areas.
Identifying “nuisance” wildlife: Urban dwelling wildlife
is a fact of urban life. In many cases, tolerance and
prevention (eliminating unnatural food sources, sealing
up potential denning locations) is the best approach. If
you do find yourself in conflict with your local wildlife
population, the first thing to consider is identifying the
source of the problem. What is attracting the animal to
your property? Is there a way to eliminate the
attractant? Do you need to speak to your neighbors to
do the same? The vast majority of urban wildlife
conflicts occur because someone in the neighborhood
is either deliberately or inadvertently providing some
sort of unnatural food source.
Tips on living with urban wildlife:
Who do I call if I have “nuisance wildlife”?
 Do not feed wild animals: Deliberate feeding of
wildlife makes them more comfortable around
humans and more likely to get into situations where
they are unwanted or in danger. It also encourages
unnaturally high population levels within a small
geographic area. This creates a higher risk of
disease transmission among the species and the
likelihood that they will become pests. It is much
better and more humane to allow population levels
to adjust to the food and habitat naturally available.
In South Carolina, control of wildlife and animal
damage is the responsibility of the individual property
owner. Often wildlife problems can be eliminated by
habitat modification, behavior modification, or a
combination of the two by following the tips on living
with wildlife section of this brochure. However, some
cases may involve the removal of the animal. If the
removal of the animal is necessary individuals must
contact a state certified Wildlife Control Operator
(WCO).
 Feed pets indoors: This will eliminate a raccoon
attractant and will diminish the likelihood of an
unwanted encounter between your pet and a wild
animal.
Wildlife Control Operators
It is imperative to note that these individuals and
companies are wildlife control businesses, and like
most businesses, do charge a fee for their services.
 Cover it: Tightly cover all garbage cans.
 Seal it: Seal up all potential denning of living
locations within and around your home: Placing
caps on chimneys and blocking outside entryways
to basements, attics and under porches will reduce
the likelihood that you will wind up sharing your
home with an unwanted animal.
This information and referral list is furnished in part by
the Myrtle Beach Police Department Animal Control
Unit and the South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources (SCDNR) in order to provide the public a
means of obtaining assistance with wildlife problems.
The City of Myrtle Beach nor SCDNR in no way
endorses or guarantees the service of any WCO on
this list.
 Exclusion of wildlife: Exclusion of offending wildlife
by fencing or wire mesh netting is also an effective
technique to reduce wildlife damage.
For further wildlife assistance please contact:
 Wild animals are not pets! Wildlife species do not
make good pets. Wild animals carry diseases and
parasites. When they reach sexual maturity they
can become territorial and aggressive. It is illegal in
the state of South Carolina and the City of Myrtle
Beach to own, house or keep a wild animal as a
pet.
MBPD-Animal Control Unit
1101 N. Oak. St. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 918-1382
SCDNR – Charleston – Region 4
217 Ft. Johnson Rd. Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 953-9300
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/
TIPS FOR HIRING A WCO
When hiring a WCO, it is imperative that you:
 Ask for references.
 Compare prices in your area to assist with getting a
fair price for the service. Some WCO work can be
expensive if it involves extra materials and/or labor
to solve your problem. Comparison shop first before
agreeing to a service charge.
 Get detailed instructions on the work to be
performed.
 Have all services and any guarantees in writing.
 Do not sign any contract until an acceptable fee is
agreed upon. Understand that it is against state law
to permit routine relocation of wildlife. No WCO
listed in this booklet is permitted to relocate
captured wildlife to another location.
 Do not allow any WCO to place any substance
inside or around your home without investigating
the effects of such substances. There are no
registered poisons for squirrels, and any such use
is a violation of State and Federal Law. Have the
WCO provide documentation explaining the efficacy
of any substance applied. Large quantities of moth
balls (naphthalene) can be dangerous to your
health and are rarely effective in solving wildlife
problems.
 Do not allow anyone to pressure or frighten you into
signing a contract or performing a service
immediately. Most wildlife problems can wait. A bat
inside the living quarters of a home is the most
notable exception. All bats found inside the home
should be submitted to DHEC for rabies testing.
 Be suspicious of any claims or statements made by
a WCO that sound extraordinary, especially if such
claims involve a high fee for any such service. If a
WCO cannot guarantee the work without such
costly services, try another WCO. There are very
few quick fixes in wildlife control.
Horry County Wildlife Control Operators
Referral List 2008
Living with Urban Wildlife
Myrtle Beach Police Department
Animal Control Unit
1101 N. Oak St.
(843) 918-1382