Having a beautiful yard is a blessing and a curse. A gorgeous landscape enhances your home’s curb appeal. It’s also an invitation to unwanted pests.
Relocate some of those annoying guests in your yard by learning all about animal trapping.
Trapping helps control the population of different types of animals on your property. Some of those pests may carry dangerous diseases. By trapping them and getting them out of your yard, you minimize your risk of disease.
Catching uninvited pests also protects your property and reduces damage to your landscaping.
Need help trapping animals and pests in your backyard or garden? Follow these helpful animal trapping tips to trap them safely.
Learn the Local Laws Concerning Animal Trapping
You might be ready to catch an animal or two, but stop right there! Before you set any traps, learn the local laws concerning trapping animals.
Some states, like California, fine residents up to $20,000.
Set up an appointment with the local game commission. Explain what pests frequent your property. Ask if you have a legal right to trap them and what traps are permissible.
Get the go-ahead first so it doesn’t cost you afterward.
Choose the Right Trap
Depending on the size of the animal, you need to make sure you have the right trap. The trap needs to be large enough for the animal to walk in comfortably.
If the animal feels like the entry is a little too confined, it won’t walk into the trap.
Choose a trap that’s at least 5 to 7 inches longer and wider than the animal. Some traps to consider:
- Fox Cage Trap (Woodchuck Trap)
- Larsen Trap
- Mailbox Mouse Trap
These types of traps confine large pests like raccoons and pests as small as birds and mice.
Proper Bait
Some animals get picky about the trash they eat. Leaving the garbage open won’t necessarily draw them towards a trap. Also, not all animals eat the same bait.
This is where you’ll need to get creative. You can use some household food from the fridge or pantry or store-bought bait. Commercially produced baits target certain species of animals.
Be sure to read labels appropriately.
Common foods at home that win as bait include fruits, vegetables, and some meats. You can also try a mix of food if you’d like but expect some animals to act finicky.
Set the bait in the right spot. Some animals are very clever. If you place the bait in a spot where they won’t have to enter the trap, you just wasted bait. Place the bait far enough into the trap that they have to enter it.
Make sure you place the trap in a safe place to retrieve it.
Trap Some Pesky Pests
Animal trapping may seem scary at first, but it’s doable. Get the right trap and bait and free your yard of those pesky problems.
Let us help. Call us today and ask about our humane animal trapping and removal service.