Evacuating Nuisance Wildlife

The following information can be used to humanely evacuate or deter wild animals from inhabiting chimneys, attics, garages, overhangs, under porches/decks, etc.  

You have a couple different options when managing wildlife that has nested in your house. One option is to let the mother raise her young and after they vacate, clean out the area and seal the entrance (chimney cap or carpentry work) to prevent other animals from using this area in the future. If you need the animals vacated, the next two ideas should be used in conjunction with each other for optimal success. Place a radio as close to the inhabited area as possible and tune it to a talk radio station (WCCO works best in the metro area). Turn the volume up as loud as possible. Leave the radio going for 72 hours straight. This noise sends the message this area is unsafe for a mother and her young. The other method, to be used in conjunction with the radio, is to place ammonia soaked rags in tin cans in and around the inhabited area. The ammonia creates an unpleasant smell and atmosphere and the mother will want to raise her young elsewhere. Again, clean out the area and repair the entrance. Your last option would be to hire a humane pest resolution service. It is of utmost importance that you choose a service that will reunite the young with their mother and offer solutions to your particular situation. Click here for information on choosing a pest resolution service.

We strongly discourage live trapping for the following reasons:

1. It is futile. Studies have found that an area or habitat will hold a limited number (carrying capacity) of any one species of animal. It will hold no more than that because the over-abundant population is reduced by food scarcity and predators. But the fact that is even more significant is that the area or habitat will also hold no fewer than the established number. So, by live trapping and taking some animals from the area other animals of that species will move in.
2. Live trapping frequently results in the death of a trapped and relocated animal due to the stress and trauma of the situation, carrying capacity of habitat introduced to, resident animals defending their territory, and food scarcity. Also, another special concern is the spread of disease by unnaturally relocating animals.  Add to that death count the fact that the trapped animal may be a lactating female who leaves behind babies to the painful death of starvation and dehydration.
3. We have seen an increase in animals that injure themselves frantically trying to escape live traps.  This injury is not the intent of the trapper and often that animal then needs medical attention, rehabilitative care and occasionally surgery to repair the injury.