Best practices
for nuisance wildlife control operators in New York State

Ch 5: Step three: Do it - Nonlethal techniques

General trapping tips

The trap design should be matched to the species and to the situation.
Always choose trap types that minimize the risk of catching unintended wildlife species or pets.
Leave a phone number so your customer can reach you in an emergency.
Set traps (including cage traps) so that children and domestic animals can't reach them. Either may harass captured animals and possibly get bitten.
Be discreet; keep traps out-of-view of the general public.
Secure and label all traps with your name and address (required by law).
Take steps to protect captured animals from bad weather including summer heat, rain, snow, and cold. Covering a trap or setting it in a more protected location can help.
For the most common nuisance species, you don't need to worry as much about getting human scent on the traps. Consider where they're living and what they do—they're used to people.
The proper use of baits and lures may increase your capture rate and help you avoid capturing animals you didn't want to trap.
To prevent trapped animals from reaching through the cage and tearing up turf or nearby objects, place the trap on pavement, or put a large piece of hardware cloth underneath the trap.
Take steps to avoid orphaning wildlife.
Set traps where they're most likely to capture the target animal and not others. ("Location, location, location.")

Next Section (Live traps)