Wild animals can be a nuisance when they damage property or cause problems in a residential area. They may enter homes or other structures for food, water, and shelter.
Long-term solutions require homeowners to limit outside food sources and remove shelter areas like rock piles and prune trees so climbers can’t access roofs. It’s also important to contact a professional before attempting animal removal yourself. Contact Animal Removal Dallas now!
While trapping can be useful for some landowners to control animal pest populations, it is inhumane. Animals caught by traps are often injured or killed in the process. They can also suffer from other factors such as hunger, thirst, dehydration, exposure to the elements and predation by other animals or hunters.
Many states and provinces regulate trapping, but regulations are often weak and under-enforced. As a result, untold numbers of animals are trapped each year for fur. Leg-hold traps, for example, are indiscriminate and injure and kill millions of “nontarget” animals each year including domestic dogs and cats, rabbits, songbirds, livestock and endangered species. These nontarget animals, referred to by trappers as “trash kills,” are left in the traps to die from blood loss, shock and other injuries or to be eaten by predators.
Animals caught in leg-hold or conibear traps are unable to free themselves, which can lead to physiologic trauma, starvation, hypothermia and other health issues. Injured animals may attempt to escape by chewing or wringing off their own trapped limb (a practice called “ringing off”), resulting in broken bones and teeth. Other animals die from blood loss, infection and gangrene. To kill animals without damaging the pelt, trappers often strangle, choke or stomp them to death.
Trapping is a complex issue and requires expertise to implement. A professional wildlife removal specialist will use the smallest trap possible to capture the desired species. They will also ensure that traps are placed at least 12 inches away from personal items such as sheds, decks and den holes. Cage and live traps are most commonly used near homes. Foothold traps can also be more humane than cage or box traps if they are used by an experienced trapper.
In addition to catching animals for their fur, landowners use traps to control animal pests such as muskrats, beavers and raccoons that damage timber stands, agricultural crops, pastures and roads systems. Keeping wild animal populations at suitable levels can help decrease the spread of wildlife diseases, as well.
A professional wildlife removal specialist will make sure that all captured animals are properly disposed of, whether released in an approved area or humanely euthanized by a qualified veterinary technician. Once the targeted animal has been removed, the specialist will re-inspect your property, repair any damage caused by the trapped animal and seal access points to your home and sheds. This process is called exclusion and will prevent another wildlife infestation from occurring in the future.
Exclusion
Animal exclusion is the process of blocking access by nuisance wildlife to buildings. This is the best approach to preventing pests such as rodents and birds from entering structures. It also protects businesses from repeated infestations. The first step in effective wildlife exclusion is a thorough inspection of a structure. Professionals look for perching and nesting areas, potential entry points and areas where bats and squirrels could enter through vents.
Many different materials can be used to block the entrance of animals. Hardware cloth, screened window guards, copper gauze (such as Stuff-It(tm)) and caulk can be used to seal cracks and crevices, and screens can be placed over chimneys, foundations and soffits to prevent access by rodents and birds. For larger openings, wire mesh, plastic sheeting, and aluminum flashing are commonly used. The materials most suitable for a specific problem depend on the type of wildlife and the type of structure. Wire mesh can be more difficult to work with than screen, but it is very durable and can last for decades. Aluminum flashing is lighter and easier to shape. It can be shaped to cover the corner of an opening and is a good choice for bird and bat exclusion.
Another popular method of wildlife exclusion is the use of electric fence chargers that emit pulses of electricity that cause pain to animals but are not fatal. These can be purchased at most hardware stores and home improvement centers. The placement and spacing of these devices should be done by a professional.
The placement of animal exclusion barriers should take into account the ability of the species to climb or dig. In the case of raccoons, mice and other rodents, the opening may need to be enlarged slightly to prevent their entry. The size and placement of the fencing should also consider the distance the animal can travel to find food, water and shelter.
While a homeowner may try to exclusion animal entry sites himself, this is not recommended for a variety of reasons. Unless the homeowner is familiar with the behavior and physical capabilities of the nuisance wildlife, he or she may accidentally close an entry point that allows other animals to enter. This can create a dangerous situation for the animal trapped inside, and it is likely to only delay the inevitable return of the original nuisance wildlife.
Disposal
When a wild animal enters your house, it leaves behind droppings and nest materials. These must be removed to prevent health risks like parasites and odors. A licensed wildlife removal professional can help with this cleanup. He or she will sanitize the area and remove any signs of the animals such as claw marks, scratching, urine and saliva. They may also spray the area with a disinfectant. Generally, household bleach mixed with water is the best decontaminant.
It is not a good idea to try a DIY animal removal project because you could accidentally hurt or kill the animals. A licensed wildlife removal professional has the experience and knowledge to capture them without harming them. A large part of this is closing possible entry and exit points so the animals cannot escape or find new ways to get into your home. It is also important to use humane traps so the animals can be released safely away from your home.
If you live in a suburban or rural area, your local wildlife control agency may have an established procedure for disposing of dead wildlife. They may choose to dump the carcass in a wooded or brushy area that is away from your property and not within reach of children or domestic animals. They might also transport the carcass to a state-owned site for natural decomposition. The goal is to keep the feces from entering water sources, such as lakes, rivers and streams.
Many people mistakenly think that they need both animal control and wildlife removal services. However, these two services have different functions. While animal control is responsible for preventing nuisance wildlife from damaging your home, wildlife removal professionals take steps to remove the animals from your property. Both services are critical to keeping your family safe, but you should know which one to call for what type of situation.