What to do, not to do when wildlife moves in

Submitted by McHenry County Animal Control

McHenry County Animal Control has received numerous calls recently for wildlife removal. MCAC can provide assistance with domestic animal issues but it does not provide wildlife removal services. Wildlife concerns/complaints are best left to professional nuisance wildlife control operators. Due to safety concerns, in most cases, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources recommends that you hire an NWCO to remove the bird or animal that is causing a problem. NWCOs must pass a test administered by the IDNR to obtain their commercial permit, and they must follow strict guidelines for capturing, handling, and transporting animals. These professional services are fee-based and will remove an animal(s) from your property. MCAC should be called (815) 459-6222 if a bat is found inside a residential living space the homeowners may have potential rabies exposure, if a mammal is sick/injured or if it is an endangered species.

Homeowners are discouraged from trapping the animal themselves, such as raccoons, feral cats, etc. Many of the mammals in Illinois are legally protected by the Illinois Wildlife Code. If the animal is causing substantial property damage or causing a safety issue, residents can hire a NWCO, contact APHIS Wildlife Services for assistance or contact IDNR to request a removal permit. An animal removal permit is only issued if the IDNR determines that the animal is causing substantial property damage or if there is a public health or safety issue. For example, structural damage to a home caused by raccoons chewing through the roof or property damage from flooding caused by beavers would likely warrant the issuance of a permit. Permits are not likely to be issued to deal with inconveniences such as squirrels raiding feeders, woodpeckers drumming trees, or rabbits foraging in flowerbeds unless substantial damage is being caused. While these situations are understandably frustrating for the homeowner, there are non-lethal methods that can be used to remedy these problems.

Check out the How to Prevent Problems with Urban Wildlife section, University of Illinois Extension’s “Living with Wildlife in Illinois” at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/, to learn how to prevent problems with wildlife.

Wild animals are attracted to your home by food and shelter. Remove these temptations and you can cut your risks of structural damage, home invasion and other problems. IDNR offers the following tips:

Do not encourage wildlife (squirrels, raccoons) by feeding or leaving food for them.

Don’t allow bird food to accumulate on the ground.

Don’t place food scraps in gardens or compost bins.

Keep pet food and water containers indoors, especially at night.

If you have fruit trees, harvest or dispose of fruit when it is ripe.

Use metal or durable plastic trash containers.

Keep grass and vegetation manicured to limit cover; remove brush piles/debris to eliminate shelter.

To find a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/professionals.cfm.