Missouri Department of Conservation Missouri Department of Conservation

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Nuisance & Problem Species

Need assistance with nuisance wildlife?

Search the list of authorized nuisance wildlife control operators to help with your nuisance wildlife issue.

What makes a species "invasive"?

"Invasive" species come from other watersheds, other regions or other continents. In a new landscape, they may have no natural controls, such as predators. As a result, non-native animals, such as feral hogs, often eat local wildlife or their foods and consume or destroy their habitat. Invasive plants, such as spotted knapweed , can also outcompete crops and livestock forage, reducing economic productivity.

What's the difference between "invasive" and "nuisance"?

"Nuisance" animals are native to the local landscape but can cause problems. Canada geese, for example, have historically used Missouri for summer breeding grounds, but they have become nuisances where they have year-round access to short, palatable grass and open water.

What can I do about invasive species?

If you care about crops and native wildlife, please do what you can to control invasive species when you landscape, farm, hunt, fish, camp, or explore nature. Invasive species and their seeds can travel on tires, clothes, in bait buckets and firewood.

Nuisance Native Species

Find info and help with wildlife that can become a problem in Missouri, and learn how to prevent wildlife from becoming a nuisance.

In This Section

Wildlife Control Guidelines

If wildlife is damaging your property, you may control it, but learn the wildlife-control guidelines and related regulations first.

Armadillo Control

Learn to identify, prevent, and control armadillo damage on your Missouri property.

Badger Control

Learn to identify, prevent, and control badger damage on your Missouri property.

Bat Control

Learn to prevent and control nuisance bats in your Missouri home or outbuildings.

Beaver Control

Learn to identify, prevent, and control beaver damage on your Missouri property.

Close up of a black bear sow head. It has light-colored fur on the sides of its snout.

Black Bear Control

Learn to identify, prevent, and control black-bear damage on your Missouri property.

Blackbird Control

Learn to identify, prevent, and control blackbird damage in Missouri.

Photo of Canada geese crowding on grassy area

Canada Goose Control

Learn to control nuisance Canada geese in your Missouri community or on private property.

Chipmunk Control

Learn to identify, prevent, and control chipmunk damage on your Missouri property.

Photo of a snapping turtle on grass gaping at camera.

Common Snapping Turtle Control

Learn to control nuisance common snapping turtles in your Missouri pond or wetland. It is illegal to harm or kill endangered alligator snapping turtles in Missouri.

Eastern cottontail rabbit in grassy field

Cottontail Rabbit Control

Learn to identify, prevent, and control cottontail-rabbit damage on your Missouri property.

Coyote Control

Learn to identify, prevent, and control nuisance coyotes on your Missouri property.

Deer Control

Browse techniques for controlling nuisance white-tailed deer on your Missouri property.

Feral Hogs in Missouri

Because they are non-native, destructive and dangerous, feral hogs should be eliminated from Missouri. This section discusses efforts to control feral hogs in our state.