Why Trap Wild Animals in Los Angeles?

As the population of people swells in Los Angeles, areas that were once occupied only by
wildlife are now often disputed turf between people and the animals. In fact, the USDA
Wildlife Services gets over 13,000 requests per year by California residents trying to
prevent property damage from intruding wild animals. Chemical death is inhumane,
sometimes illegal, and usually ineffective. In Los Angeles, wildlife trapping is the best
way to stay safe and comply with the law.
Common Hazards Posed by Wildlife

In Los Angeles, the most common intruders into homes and businesses are bats, snakes,
skunks, squirrels, raccoons, opossum, porcupines, moles and gophers, rats, and birds.
Animal Capture Wildlife Control has experience in removing all of these critters.

Snakes are feared for their bite, which is potentially poisonous. About 40 species of
snakes call California home, eleven of which are venomous. Even those that aren't
venomous can often cause nasty bites to humans, pets, and livestock.

Skunks are notorious for their nauseating spray, but are also known for biting, especially
domestic pets. Skunks can cause extensive damage to the landscaping and have been
known to decimate local populations of birds. In one study, about 65 percent of skunks
tested positive for rabies. They can also carry distemper and hepatitis, and are heavily
infested with disease-carrying parasites, such as ticks, mites, and fleas.

Squirrels have a rotten habit of nesting in attics, and their habits create fire hazards. In
addition to the bedding they pile up, they chew wires, which can lead to electrical fires.

Raccoons are also quite destructive, sometimes eating holes in walls, insulation, and
other structures. They also carry rabies, distemper, mange, and other diseases and
parasites, which also transmit diseases.

Opossum are destructive, as well as smelly. They tear up building materials and chew
through wiring, creating a fire hazard. Opossum can also injure pets and kill birds. They
carry a variety of diseases, including tuberculosis, herpes, salmonella, yellow fever,
rabies, and disease-carrying parasites.

Porcupines are also chewers, often chomping through walls, insulation, and other
structures. Their quills are hurtful to pets, sometimes requiring extensive medical
attention.

Moles and gophers usually stay in the yard, but, for homeowners with landscaping or
gardens, the damage can be severe or even complete. Rats can cause problems in the
yard or in the home, and carry at least 10 serious diseases, according to the CDC. Rats are
also habitual chewers, chomping through walls, wiring, and virtually anything else they
can find.

Pigeon droppings can eat through wood and concrete, causing extensive damage to
rooftops, vehicles, and other structures. Swallows' nests stain buildings, and
woodpeckers can literally drill holes into the siding of a building.

Bats are not destructive, normally, but are scary to people. Some pest control companies
attempt to poison bats, but this is illegal, and many bats are classified as Special Concern
due to dwindling populations.
Additional Problems Caused by Wildlife

Wildlife damage by rodents is not usually covered under homeowners' insurance policies,
so the homeowner is often stuck with a massive repair bill. Pets and small children are
particularly vulnerable to harm from wild animals. Sometimes these animals die in the
attic or walls, requiring retrieval by Los Angeles wildlife control.

Summary
Trapping is the only safe, humane, and legal way to remove wildlife from homes or
buildings, and Animal Capture Wildlife Control has the qualifications for proper wildlife
removal in Los Angeles.

Company Bio

Animal Capture Wildlife Control has more than a decade of experience removing all
types of wildlife safely, humanely, and legally, from Los Angeles to Bakersfield,
California.

Sources:

Anonymous. HomeInsurance.org. 16 May 2014.
http://www.homeinsurance.org/articles/damage-wild-animals-covered-homeowners-
insurance-policy/

Anonymous. USDA Wildlife Services. 16 May 2014.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/state_report_pdfs/2010/5-
california_report.pdf

Meral, Dr. Gerald, R. MountainLion.org. 16 May 2014.
http://www.mountainlion.org/prop117guide.asp

Ansari, Maryam, K. FindLaw.com. 16 May 2014.
http://blogs.findlaw.com/california_case_law/2012/08/what-are-the-limits-on-killing-
pests-in-california.html

Anonymous. Venomous Snakes of the United States. 16 May 2014.
http://www.preservevenomous.com/Venomous_Snakes_of_the_United_States/Venomous
%20Snakes%20of%20California/Venomous_snakes_of_California.htm