“Kind Traps” Can Be Cruel: Better Ways to Handle Unwanted Wildlife
It starts with a thump in the attic or a rustle near the shed. You spot the culprit—a raccoon, a squirrel, maybe even a groundhog. For me, it was a scurry of chipmunks headed straight toward my face when I peeked under the porch to see what my dog was barking at. (Note: Chipmunks are not that cute when they are headed terrifyingly toward your head.)
So, what do you do? Reach for the “humane” solution: a live trap. Right? Catch and release feels like the compassionate thing to do. But here’s the twist: it’s not always as kind as it seems.
The Trouble with Trap-and-Release
That feel-good moment of letting an animal go “free” in the woods? It often ends badly. Relocated animals struggle to find food, water, and shelter in unfamiliar territory—and may wander into another animal’s established zone. Many starve, get injured, or are picked off by predators. If the animal is sick or carrying parasites, releasing it elsewhere can spread disease or destabilize local ecosystems.
Bottom line: live traps aren’t always the happy ending we imagine.
A Better Way: Prevention First
The best way to deal with nuisance wildlife? Don’t let it become a nuisance in the first place. Most wild critters are just looking for easy snacks and cozy shelters—and our homes provide plenty of both.
Here’s how to be a savvy neighbor to local wildlife without inviting them into your walls:
Secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids and store pet food indoors.
Screen attic vents and crawl spaces (after checking for current residents, of course).
Trim branches that act as aerial highways into your roofline.
Move brush piles and stacked wood away from the house—great hiding spots otherwise.
Clean up fallen fruit or birdseed that attracts more than just birds.
Want to support wildlife without the houseguests? Plant native flowers, install a toad house or bee hotel, and create brush piles away from your home’s perimeter. These offer habitat without the headaches.
What If They’ve Already Moved In?
If a wild critter has already taken up residence, try exclusion methods before anything else. That could mean one-way doors (animals can leave but not come back), noise/light deterrents, or waiting until a mother and her babies have moved on naturally.
Still need help? Call in a licensed wildlife control expert—one who specializes in eviction without relocation. These pros know how to coax animals out, seal entry points, and leave everyone a little better off.
Living With, Not Against, Nature
You can love wildlife and protect your space—it’s not either-or. The key is thoughtful prevention, patience, and a long view of how we share space. Trapping may feel like a quick fix, but the real win is creating an outdoor space where both you and the animals can thrive separately.
That scurry of chipmunks? (Yes, that’s what a group of chipmunks is called. Cute, right?) A contractor friend deemed they were not damaging the porch and likely had been chased under there by the dog. I started taking my dog in and out the back door, and I let the chipmunks stay. After all, it was likely their home first. I still get a bit skittish when I see a chipmunk, but that's what therapy is for, right?
