Trapping Wildlife

Trapping - Do's and Don'ts

If gentle persuasion fails to dislodge a guest in the house, residents of Arlington County may obtain a trapping permit and borrow a humane trap from the League (residents of other jurisdictions must contact their local animal control). Permits are required for all trapping done in Arlington County, even if you have your own trap. Permits are free of charge. For a $100 deposit, you may borrow a trap for up to a week for indoor use only. The deposit will be refunded by mail after you return the trap to the League. There are very strict regulations regarding the use of traps, and people found misusing them can be fined and/or prosecuted.

You cannot trap outside

The outdoors is where wildlife belongs. Trapping and removing a wild animal from the backyard does not solve the problem - it simply makes room for another animal to move in. This is why exclusionary methods are so important. If your problem is stray cats rather than wildlife, call the League for advice.

You may trap inside your house, garage or shed

The League has humane traps of all sizes. Most trapped animals must be released outside immediately; it is illegal to kill or injure them. If the animal appears sick or injured or you prefer to have us release it, call the League and we will pick it up. If you trap a high-risk rabies vector (raccoon, bat, fox, skunk, groundhog), you MUST call the League to pick it up.

Relocating

Many people think that wildlife problems can be resolved by relocating the animals. This is not true. Animals have territories with food sources and support systems. It is very difficult for them to survive if they are uprooted from their familiar environment and placed in a strange one. They often become disoriented, unable to find food or safe hiding places, and often die. Remember, once you have removed the animal, repair any openings through which they came. Otherwise, you have not solved the problem.