Humane Wildlife Removal Considerations

Humane wildlife removal isn't as simple as it might seem. While it's possible for homeowners to try to do this themselves (up to a point), hiring a professional pest control management company is a often a good option. The professionals have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to deal with the safe removal of animals in an effective manner. Whether you're a do-it-yourself or you're hiring someone, here are a few things to consider.

• An inspection should be done first. The importance of a pest inspection goes beyond just confirming that there's a problem... it also helps to identify the type(s) of animal(s) involved as well as the extent of the problem.

• Does the company have experience with the type of rodent involved? Each type of rodent behaves differently and is most successfully trapped when their natural behavior is taken into account. For example, some animals may be nocturnal while others are active in the day... and some prefer to nest in the attic while others in crawl spaces. Understanding the animal's behaviors makes it easier to capture them.

• What type of traps are used and how often will they be checked? Many homeowners support humane pest control and prefer the use of live traps. Live traps, however, still need to be set and used correctly to avoid inadvertently causing injury (or even death) to an animal. Animals can also suffer extreme stress, hunger, and dehydration when caught in a trap, so traps need to be checked frequently. Will the company check the traps, or is that the responsibility of the homeowner? How quickly will the traps (and animals) be picked up?

  Humane wildlife removal isn't just about keeping the animal alive; it also carries the responsibility of trying to ensure animals don't suffer unnecessary stress or injury.

• What happens to the animals that are trapped? Will they be relocated or humanely euthanized? Keep in mind that it is illegal to relocate certain types of wildlife in some municipalities.

  Where will the animals be released or relocated? In some cases, rodents and wildlife will leave the home or yard on their own and naturally find alternate nesting sites or areas. If, however, they are to be released to relocated, they should not simply be moved to a neighboring property where it becomes someone else's problem.

  What happens if the weather is cold and animals cannot reasonably be expected to survive if released outside? Will they be taken to a refuge or will they be euthanized?

• How can the company ensure that all the animals have been removed? What steps do they take to demonstrate that no other animals are still in the home (including difficult to access areas) or going to return to the home?

• How does the company ensure that babies are not separated from the mother? Animals can become even more persistent, chewing new holes and finding new access points, in their efforts to get back to their babies. If they're not able to return to them, the homeowner may have a different problem: the babies may be stashed somewhere inaccessible and may die without the mother. This can cause odor problems and could attract other types of pests.

• Are eco friendly methods used, without toxins or chemicals? Are removal methods safe for households with pets and children?

• Does the company have the proper licenses or permits? In some municipalities, they may be necessary for trapping, handling, or relocating certain types of animals.

• Will the company take photos and notes of any damages or contamination encountered while inspecting the premises or removing the wildlife?

After removal is complete, follow-ups should be done to ensure that all the animals are really gone and the problem doesn't start all over again. Humane wildlife removal is just one step towards resolving the issue - homeowners (or whomever they hire) also need to take preventive measures to exclude animals from the home. This includes promptly sealing up all entry points as well as making the home less attractive to wildlife by removing easy access to shelter, food, and water. Clean-up, remediation and repair work may also need to be done to fix damage and contamination that may have occurred.