A Zoo in your Backyard

Regardless of where you live, you will most likely encounter some urban animals that make their home in and around our yards. It is very common to find a variety of wildlife living off the food items that we city dwellers often leave outside our homes. While most people may not see these animals, they may find remnants of their visits in the form of property damage or signs habitation.

Trapping Facts

Sadly, many wild animals that are trapped are euthanized.
Although euthanasia of the animal is done humanely, the trapping process itself can be a stressful experience.

Animals caught in cage traps may become injured in their initial effort to escape. The animal may try to press through the bars of the cage, or dig itself out. This can cause bleeding injuries to the animal’s face, extremities and claws. The animal may suffer from exposure to weather extremes further adding to their stress.

There is NO Relocation

There are several reasons trapped wild animals are not relocated.

• Wild animals in your yard come from many successive generations born in the city and survive in an urban setting with an abundance of food, water and shelter. They may not know how to forage for natural food the way wild populations do. When relocated, most urban wildlife dies from starvation in a new environment that is completely foreign. Animals that rely on a cache during leaner times will no longer find that food available.
• Urban wildlife constantly comes into contact with domestic pets and disease carrying urban animals. Once exposed, these trapped animals may introduce diseases into wild populations with devastating results.
• Wild areas that are able to support wildlife only support as many as the area can handle. Adding new animals only further burdens those animals already present, and upsets the delicate balance. An animal removed from an area leaves a niche that is filled by another animal soon after.
• Many animals are very territorial. Introducing a strange animal into a previously claimed territory leads to conflicts- often with bloody and deadly consequences.
• The State of California allows two options for handling nuisance animals: they can be released into the immediate area (defeating the purpose of trapping), or they can be humanely euthanized.

Wildlife Frustration

The mere presence ofa urban critter is not a legitimate reason to remove these animals. The vast majority pose little threat to the health and safety of the community.
Most people don’t want to trap animals, but become frustrated at the constant damage and conflicts they endure. Sometimes trapping is the only real solution, but it is only a temporary one. The long-term solution is to identify the specific damage or pattern, and make the changes necessary to discourage future problems.
Become familiar with the types of animals that live in your community. This will help you better understand their role and ways to prevent conflicts from occurring.

Alternate Methods

Repairs and a maintenance trapping routine can be expensive and frustrating. Some residents circumvent trapping regulations by making dangerous homemade traps or by spreading poison. In many instances untargeted and unrelated animals fall victim to these methods.

Poisons are simply too dangerous to use in a crowded urban environment. Whether or not the offending animal has eaten the bait, the poison can be spread throughout the animal community through those that feed on the dead carcass of the original animal. Also many domestic pets have died from eating poison that was not meant for them. It is cheaper and far less dangerous to make preventative changes to your home and property, rather than rely on ineffective and potentially lethal tactics in the long run.

Trapping in the City

The City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services does not engage in the trapping of urban wildlife. The Wildlife Division recommends the use of deterrents, exclusionary methods and adjustments around the exterior of your home to make it less inviting to the wild animal. It is your right as a citizen to contact a Pest Control company that has permits to remove wild mammals. The wildlife trapped by Pest Control Companies would be euthanized as State law prohibits the relocation of predatory mammals. The Department of Animal Services is not giving permits for the public to use their own, rented or borrowed traps.

Deterring Urban Wildlife

There are a number of products and homemade remedies designed to discourage different types of animals. The key is to identify the culprit and determine the attraction that draws the animal into the yard. Generally wildlife responds to assaults on their senses. Some products rely on bitter or peppery tastes, others rely on offensive odors, at least to smell sensitive critters. Many things can be attached to a motion sensor device, such as a sprinkler, noise maker or strobe light.

For animals not so easily fooled by deterrents, exclusion may be another alternative. There are nets to cover fruit trees and gardens, metal plates to fasten to tree trunks, and stakes to hold down new sod lawns. Check fence-lines to ensure they are in good repair.

Above all else, recognize our role in the problem. We provide a stable environment for these critters. Do all you can to discourage them, but expect some minor inconvenience from time to time.

Here are some suggested remedies to common problems:

• Do Not feed the wildlife. (L.A.M.C. 53.06.5)
• Fence vegetation that attracts animals.
• Use hardy plants or plants distasteful to wild animals.
• To protect fruit trees, keep nearby tree branches trimmed. Attach metal flashing to tree trunks to a height of at least three feet. Use tree netting to discourage birds and squirrels.
• Remove woodpiles, brush piles and debris to prevent hiding and nesting places.
• Clear or cover compost piles. Avoid composting human food items.
• Make sure chimney tops are screened and crawl spaces entrances are secure and in good repair.
• Screen holes and gaps under eaves and attic vents.
• Keep trees and shrubs neatly trimmed and away from the roof.
• Remove fruit as it ripens and pickup fallen fruit daily.
• Tack down new sod with lawn stakes until lawn is established.
• Motion-activated sprinklers work well for keeping most animals out of certain areas. ( i.e. Scarecrow® )
• Keep BBQ grills clean, covered and stored in a secure place.
• Strap down trash can lids and do not put out the trash until the day of pickup.
• Try a combination of deterrents. There are many books and a number of websites about discouraging wildlife.

For more information check with your state cooperative extension.