What should I do if I find a coyote in my Fountain Valley yard?

For coyotes that are acting aggressively or posing an immediate threat to pets, contact the City of Fountain Valley Animal Control . For general coyote sightings or prevention advice, OC Animal Care provides wildlife information and resources .

Is it legal to trap and relocate a raccoon from my property?

No. California law prohibits the relocation of trapped wildlife without a permit. Your legal options are to release it on-site where it was captured or humanely euthanize it. Due to the risks involved, this is typically a job for a licensed professional .

How do I know if I have squirrels or rats in my attic?

Listen to the sounds and note the time of activity. Squirrels are most active during daylight hours and sound like fast, light scurrying or rolling nuts. Rats are more active at night and may produce slower, gnawing sounds. A professional inspection can provide a definitive identification .

Who should I call for a snake in my garage?

If you are unsure if the snake is venomous or you are uncomfortable removing it, call a licensed wildlife removal service. They can safely identify and remove the snake .

Why is exclusion more important than just removing the animal?

Removal alone is a temporary fix. If the entry points are not sealed, new animals will simply move into the now-vacant, attractive den site. Professional exclusion addresses the root cause of the problem .

Can I just seal the entry hole if I hear animals in my attic?

Never seal an entry point while animals are still inside. This can trap adults or orphan young, leading to odors, further damage as they try to escape, and inhumane outcomes. Always ensure all animals are removed before exclusion repairs are made .

Are wildlife removal services in Fountain Valley licensed?

Reputable companies should be licensed through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs) and carry appropriate business and liability insurance. Always verify licensing before hiring a provider .

Pest Control in Fountain Valley, CA,

Living with unwanted wildlife in your home or on your property can be stressful and potentially hazardous. In Fountain Valley, common nuisance animals like raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, and snakes often require professional intervention due to strict California regulations and the risks involved in handling them. This resource is designed to help you understand your options, from prevention to professional services, so you can make an informed decision to resolve your wildlife conflict safely and legally.

Orchard Inc.

los angeles

Orchard Inc. is a pest control company based in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in rodent, bird, and wildlife removal services for both residential and commercial properties. They use humane methods and combine modern techniques with proven approaches to manage infestations while respecting natural ecosystems. Orchard Inc. also offers wildlife fencing as a preventative measure to keep animals off properties. The company serves Los Angeles County and Orange County, handling a wide range of pest control needs with a focus on bird and rodent solutions.

5.0

373 Reviews

Hawkins Animal Trapping and Removal

long beach

Hawkins Animal Trapping and Removal is a family-owned business based in Long Beach, CA, serving Los Angeles and Orange County. Established in 2018 by an industry professional with over 10 years of experience, the company offers wildlife and animal removal services for both homeowners and businesses. Their services include rodent, raccoon, bird, skunk, opossum, and bat removal, as well as attic cleaning and dead animal removal. They handle dead animals found in crawlspaces, attics, lawns, roofs, and driveways, ensuring safe and effective removal.

5.0

283 Reviews

Aesthetic Wildlife Control

los angeles

Aesthetic Wildlife Control provides humane and poison-free wildlife and rodent removal services in Los Angeles, CA. Their certified team offers a wide range of pest control solutions including rat, possum, bat, raccoon, skunk, snake, and dead animal removal, along with attic decontamination and bird proofing for solar panels. They use eco-friendly, non-toxic methods and provide thorough inspections with photo and video documentation to ensure effective exclusion and sanitation. The company is licensed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and offers 24/7 emergency animal removal services across Los Angeles and Orange County.

5.0

276 Reviews

Ashe Animal Control

423 W 18th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Ashe Animal Control is a family-owned business offering humane wildlife removal, rodent control, and property repair services in Los Angeles, CA, and Orange County. They specialize in safe animal trapping and removal while focusing on protecting homes with integrity and care. Their services include identifying and sealing entry points to prevent future infestations, ensuring long-term protection for residential and commercial properties. Ashe Animal Control is known for transparent pricing and personalized service, treating every home with respect and attention to detail.

5.0

158 Reviews

All City Animal Trapping

1321 Alameda St, Wilmington, CA 90744

All City Animal Trapping is a wildlife removal company based in Los Angeles, CA. They specialize in humane trapping and removal of nuisance animals such as raccoons, squirrels, bats, and birds. Their services include damage repair, decontamination, and preventive measures to keep homes and businesses wildlife-free. With over 20 years of experience, the company serves residential and commercial customers throughout Los Angeles and surrounding counties. All City Animal Trapping employs licensed and insured professionals who use effective and humane methods for animal control.

4.9

716 Reviews

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Common Wildlife Issues in Fountain Valley

Fountain Valley's proximity to natural habitats and urban green spaces makes it a prime location for various animals to seek food and shelter in residential areas. Identifying the specific animal is the first step toward an effective solution.

Raccoons: These intelligent mammals are notorious for tipping over trash cans and seeking refuge in attics, chimneys, and under decks. They can cause significant damage and pose health risks ¹ ².
Tree Squirrels: Squirrels often enter attics to nest, where they can chew on electrical wiring, insulation, and structural wood, creating fire hazards and costly damage ³ ⁴.
Opossums & Skunks: Typically seeking shelter under sheds, porches, or decks, these animals can create odor problems and may defend themselves if startled ⁵ ².
Rodents: Rats and mice are common, but larger infestations or entry points in difficult-to-reach areas often require professional exclusion techniques ¹ ⁶.
Bats: Bats can roost in attics or eaves. Their removal is sensitive due to protected species status and requires special care to avoid contact and manage guano cleanup ¹ ⁴.
Coyotes: Present in the area, coyotes are primarily a threat to pets and small animals. The City of Fountain Valley Animal Control should be contacted for immediate coyote threats in residential areas ⁷ ⁸.
Snakes & Moles: Various snake species may enter yards, while moles can destroy lawns with their tunneling ² ⁴.

What You Can Do: Prevention and Legal DIY Limits

For minor issues, homeowners can take proactive steps to make their property less attractive to wildlife. Effective prevention is often the most straightforward form of animal control.

Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on trash cans, avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight, and harvest ripe fruit from trees ⁹ ⁶.
Eliminate Shelter: Trim tree branches away from your roof (at least 6-8 feet), clear dense brush, and seal off crawl space openings under decks or sheds with sturdy wire mesh ¹ ⁵.
Seal Entry Points: Conduct a thorough inspection of your home's exterior. You can seal minor gaps and holes with high-quality caulk, steel wool, or hardware cloth. However, for complex entries or signs of current activity, professional exclusion is recommended ⁶ ¹⁰.

California law places strict limits on do-it-yourself trapping. While you may trap certain nongame mammals, it is illegal to relocate the trapped animal off your property³ ⁹ ¹¹. The legal options are to release the animal in the immediate vicinity where it was caught or to humanely euthanize it on-site. Relocation requires special permits, and trapping within 150 yards of an occupied residence requires the property owner's permission ¹¹ ¹⁰. Given these complexities and the risks of handling animals like raccoons, skunks, or bats, DIY trapping is often not a practical or safe solution for most homeowners.

When to Call a Professional Wildlife Control Operator

There are several situations where contacting a licensed professional is not just advisable but necessary for your safety, the animal's welfare, and legal compliance.

An Animal is Inside Your Living Space: If a raccoon, squirrel, or bat is in your attic, walls, or chimney, professional removal and exclusion are needed to get it out and prevent re-entry ² ⁶ ⁴.
You Suspect an Infestation: Sounds of multiple animals, significant damage, or persistent odors indicate a larger problem that requires expert assessment and resolution ¹ ¹².
The Animal is a Direct Threat: Aggressive behavior, a suspected rabid animal, or the presence of a venomous snake warrants immediate professional assistance ⁷ ⁴.
You Need Decontamination and Repair: After animals are removed, areas like attics often require sanitization, odor removal, and insulation replacement to restore a safe and healthy environment ¹ ².
You Are Unsure of the Laws or Species: Licensed Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs) are trained in species identification and the complex web of California and local regulations, ensuring the job is done legally and humanely ³ ⁹ ¹³.

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Understanding California Wildlife Removal Laws

Navigating the legal landscape is a critical part of wildlife management in Fountain Valley. Professionals are well-versed in these regulations, which are designed to protect both people and ecosystems.

No Relocation: As noted, the casual relocation of trapped wildlife is prohibited. This law helps prevent the spread of disease and avoids creating problems in new locations ⁹ ¹⁰.
Humane Treatment: All trapping and euthanasia methods must comply with state humane standards. Professionals use approved traps and techniques ¹¹ ¹³.
Protected Species: Some species, like certain bats and birds, are protected by federal or state law. Their removal requires specific permits and procedures that licensed professionals can manage ¹⁰ ⁴.

What to Expect from Professional Wildlife Removal Services

A reputable wildlife control service will follow a comprehensive process to solve your problem permanently.

Inspection and Assessment: The technician will identify the species, locate entry points, and assess the extent of the damage and infestation ² ⁶.
Humane Removal: Using appropriate, legal methods, the animals will be removed from the property ³ ¹⁴.
Exclusion and Repair: This is the most critical step. All entry points will be sealed with durable materials to prevent future wildlife intrusions ¹ ⁵.
Cleanup and Decontamination: The affected area will be cleaned, sanitized, and deodorized. Damaged insulation may be removed and replaced ² ¹⁵.
Prevention Advice: A good operator will provide recommendations for ongoing property maintenance to keep wildlife away ⁹ ⁶.

Cost Considerations for Wildlife Control

The cost for animal removal and exclusion in Fountain Valley varies significantly based on the job's scope. Simple removal of a single animal from an accessible area may cost a few hundred dollars. However, comprehensive services for an attic infestation-including removal of a family of animals, full exclusion sealing, and attic cleanup-can range from $500 for a small job to $3,500 or more for severe damage and contamination ¹ ² ¹⁵ ¹⁴. Most companies provide free inspections and detailed quotes.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Fountain Valley Wildlife Animal Control - Wildlife Animal Control - http://www.wildlifeanimalcontrol.com/Fountain-Valley.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸
Fountain Valley Wildlife Control - All City Animal Trapping - https://allcityanimaltrapping.com/fountain-valley-wildlife-control/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸
Animal Capture Wildlife Control: Los Angeles Wildlife Removal - https://www.animalcapturewildlifecontrol.com/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
Fountain Valley Wildlife Removal Services - https://xceptionalwildliferemoval.com/locations/california/orange-county/fountain-valley.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶
Fountain Valley Wildlife Control / California Animal Removal - http://www.aaanimalcontrol.com/professional-trapper/city/CA-Fountain-Valley.htm ↩ ↩² ↩³
Fountain Valley Wildlife Removal, Pest Animal Control CA - http://www.wildlife-removal.com/city/CA-Fountain-Valley.htm ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶
Animal Control | The City of Fountain Valley - https://www.fountainvalley.gov/634/Animal-Control ↩ ↩²
Wildlife Information | OC Animal Care - https://ocpetinfo.com/field-operations/wildlife-information ↩
Living with Wildlife - https://wildlife.ca.gov/Living-with-Wildlife ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵
Laws and Regulations - Humane Wildlife Control Inc - https://humanecontrol.com/laws-and-regulations/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
Animal trapping and control - Lacounty - https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/acwm/235835_Trappingrequirementspaper.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³
California Wildlife Removal Company Directory - Pro Animal Control - https://pro-animal-control.com/california-wildlife-removal-company/ ↩
Laws & Regulations - Humane Pest Control Inc - https://humanepestpro.com/?page_id=85 ↩ ↩²
California Wildlife Removal & Animal Control - https://www.crittercontrol.com/office-finder/california/ ↩ ↩²
How Much Does Animal & Wildlife Removal Cost? (2026) - HomeGuide - https://homeguide.com/costs/animal-and-wildlife-removal-costs ↩ ↩²

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