Kritter Gitters, LLC has suspended trapping. We still provide tips and information on the management of pesky wild animals.



To avoid trapping skunks when your target is raccoon, place your trap on a sawhorse.

Every species of wild animal have specific habits and idiosyncrasies that must be taken into account when attempting to trap them. Some wild animals, e.g. raccoons, skunks, and squirrels are fairly easy to catch. Others, however, can be a real challenge. For example:
Coyotes

Coyotes are perhaps the most difficult animals to trap. They are very cautious and extremely intelligent animals. Coyotes are quite happy to share habitat with humans and in doing so become bold and unafraid. The biggest mistake trappers make in attempting to trap these animals is under estimating the animal and thinking that coyotes must be trapped in wire dog traps. Setting out a dog trap full of bait will seldom attract, much less catch a coyote. Some people do not believe that it is even possible to live trap a coyote. This is not true.
In reality, coyotes can be captured in live traps, but to do so takes a lot of time and planning. The secret to success is to spend the time up front learning about the animal and its behavior and then using that behavior against it. This means you have to be innovative and devise a way to catch the animal where it normally goes, not where you want it to go. This may be in a barn, chicken coop, or a rabbit hutch, or may involve building a special trap.


An innovative trap designed to catch animals that like to
feed in trashcans.

Tips # 1


Before embarking on a trapping expedition to your back yard you may want to determine if the problem can be solved without trapping. The first thing to remember is that the animal is in or on your property for a reason. Wild animals are not known for their desire to be social with humans. They are interested in survival, and humans are just a speed bump in their path. To survive they need food, water, and security from predators. Remove these animal needs from your property, and the critters will go away.


A few things you can do:
Pick up pet foods at night. Block all easy entrances under your porch, deck, hot tub etc.
Cover your yard pond at night. Make sure your chimney has a wire cap on it.
Lock the doggy door at night. Pick up fruit that has fallen from the tree.
Empty or cover the birdbath at night. Install sensor lights in your yard.
Avoid planting things in the garden that are animal favorites.  

Other species can be easier to catch, but present other problems. For example:

Prairie Dogs
Prairie dogs are easy to catch using the correct bait but present a problem when it comes to relocate them. Prairie dogs live in colonies and each colony can number in the hundreds. Studies have shown that colonized prairie dogs are extremely reluctant to accept new prairie dog neighbors. Relocating a trapped dog to an existing colony will usually result in the death of the intruder. Releasing the animal into an area without other animals does not seem to work because little is understood about the animal’s site selection criteria. The solution seems to be releasing the trapped animals in an area close to, but not too close to, an existing colony in hopes a new colony will emerge. We have little data about the success of this method.
Gophers
Relocating gophers is even more difficult because gophers are solitary animals and will defend against any intruders. It has been our experience that gophers should not be live trapped. It is more humane to snap trap them and recover the carcass to use as a food source for other mammals and birds. Gophers are the only animals that Kritter Gitters don’t live trap.
There are relocation problems associated with many of our wild neighbors. Coyotes, beavers, and snakes are just a few that cause concerns.



Tips # 2



Before attempting to catch and relocate a wild animal, learn as much as you can about that animal.  A study of the animal up front can result in an easier task for you and a better chance of survival for the animal.  Have a suitable relocation site identified prior to setting traps. The animal's future depends on it.

Most important: If you are not sure what to do or how to do it, seek advice.  There are organizations like Kritter Gitters that will be happy to assist you.


Kritter Gitters publishes a series of bulletins that are available to assist in dealing with the more common back yard pests. These documents are available from Kritter Gitters for $4.95 + $ 0.55 s/h.

 

 


These Bulletins are available to help the homeowner deal with pesky back yard pests. Also included in each bulletin is a brief discussion about caring for rescued wild animals.

To Order, e-mail us.




krittergitters@hughe.net .