Live Traps

If you've tried scaring away a pesky critter and it's still insists on hanging around and causing problems, you can trap and release it somewhere farther from your home. Trapping is an effective way to remove a specific animal that is causing you problems, but isn't useful against a large local population.

It's best to call your local wildlife/forestry warden or a professional pest removal company to handle problem animals. But, if you prefer to do the dirty work yourself, here are some basic tips to follow.

Minimize signs of your presence. Handle the traps as little as possible and mask your scent by wearing gloves or using another scent like deer scent. Make sure the trap is the right size and strong enough to hold the animal safely. Anchor the trap securely to the ground so the animal can't roll it over and escape.

Bait the trap a few times without setting it so the animal learns that it's a safe to approach it. Make a trail of yummies to the trap, and pile a bunch of the goodies in the back of the trap for the critter to find. You might try putting some water in the trap too.

ALWAYS disinfect and clean the trap with bleach after using. Rabies is transmitted by saliva, and you don't have to be bitten to contract the disease.

Place a flat board of plywood under live traps to prevent the animal from scratching up the lawn or garden once they're caught and to keep it from getting a foot or paw caught or hung up.

Use caution when releasing large animals like raccoons, skunks, and woodchucks. The safest way to release a critter without getting too close is to tie a strong rope to the trap door. Then run the rope through an open window in your vehicle, so you can pull open the trap door from inside your truck or car.

Checks traps daily, and release animals as soon as possible.

Live trapping and releasing an animal has become a favorite choice for many folks. Most people would really rather not hurt their fellow creatures. But, sometimes, live trapping can be crueler than killing the animal. Sometimes relocated animals often become disoriented and can not fit into their new habitat, and they often starve to death or are killed by another territorial critter. If you decide to use live traps to get rid of a critter, then contact your local Humane Society or the local game warden to determine the best way and time to trap, and the best way to release a wild animal before actually setting the trap. Some states have laws about trapping and protects some species...so always make sure before you trap any critter what the local laws are.