What should I do if I hear an animal in my attic?

First, try to identify the type of animal by the sounds and time of day (e.g., scurrying during the day often indicates squirrels, at night suggests raccoons or rats). Then, contact a licensed wildlife removal professional for an inspection. Do not attempt to seal the entry hole until you are sure all animals are out, or you could trap them inside.

Is it true I can't trap and relocate an animal in California?

Yes, this is a key state law. Trapped wildlife cannot be relocated to public lands or another person's property. They must be released on-site or humanely euthanized by a licensed trapper. This is a primary reason why professional help is advised .

Who handles a dead animal on my property?

For a dead animal in a public right-of-way, you can contact Tracy Public Works. For a dead animal on private property, removal is generally the responsibility of the property owner. Most wildlife removal companies offer this as a service.

Will city animal control come remove a skunk under my deck?

Typically, no. Tracy Animal Services focuses on domestic animals. Nuisance wildlife on private property is handled by licensed private wildlife control operators .

What are the health risks associated with wildlife in my home?

Risks include exposure to parasites (fleas, ticks, mites), diseases like leptospirosis or raccoon roundworm from droppings, and histoplasmosis from accumulated bird or bat guano. Proper cleanup and sanitization by a professional are crucial.

How quickly can a wildlife problem cause damage?

Very quickly. Rodents and squirrels can chew electrical wiring, creating a fire hazard, within days. Accumulated droppings and urine can soak through drywall and insulation, leading to costly repairs and persistent odors.

What guarantees do wildlife removal companies offer?

Reputable companies typically offer a warranty on their exclusion work (e.g., 1-5 years), guaranteeing that if an animal re-enters through a sealed point, they will return to fix it at no additional charge. Always ask about warranty details.

Pest Control in Tracy, CA,

Discovering an uninvited animal in your home or yard can be unsettling. Wildlife removal is the specialized service of safely and legally evicting nuisance animals like raccoons, skunks, and squirrels from your property. It's a critical service for protecting your home's structure and your family's health. This guide will help you understand the common wildlife issues in Tracy, the legal landscape, and how to connect with qualified local professionals for animal control and exclusion services.

McCauley Agricultural & Pest Control

2150 Elkins Way Ste 205, Brentwood, CA 94513

McCauley Agricultural & Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company based near Oakland, CA, serving residential, commercial, and agricultural clients throughout the East Bay Area and Central Valley. They provide a range of services including termite inspection and control, wildlife removal, weed abatement, turf care, and ornamental plant services. With over 35 years of combined experience, McCauley uses advanced and eco-friendly materials to address pest and plant health issues.

5.0

1.1k Reviews

Orkin

2155 Elkins Way, Brentwood, CA 94513

Orkin provides residential and commercial pest control services in Oakland, CA. They handle a wide range of pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, birds, and wildlife. Orkin offers customized pest management plans and termite treatments using methods such as liquid barriers, Sentricon® bait, and dry foam void filler. With over 120 years of experience, Orkin supports customers with 24/7 availability for pest control needs.

4.8

2.1k Reviews

Pest Protection Services

601 Gracie Ln, Brentwood, CA 94513

Pest Protection Services is a family-owned pest control company based near Oakland, CA, serving the East Bay Area. They offer general pest control for both residential and commercial clients, specializing in the removal of ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, wasps, yellow jackets, and moles. With over 15 years of experience, they focus on eco-friendly and safe extermination methods that protect both the environment and the safety of pets and children.

4.9

91 Reviews

Terminix

6678 Owens Dr STE 100, Pleasanton, CA 94588

Terminix provides pest control services in San Jose, CA, addressing common pests such as termites, rodents, bed bugs, ants, and wasps. Their services include termite inspections, rodent control, bed bug treatments, and wildlife removal, supported by a nationwide network of expertise. Terminix offers specialized termite protection systems and guarantees for ongoing pest control. The company serves a wide range of locations in the Bay Area and is known for its comprehensive pest management plans.

4.7

2.7k Reviews

Orkin

4092 Metro Dr Ste 100, Stockton, CA 95215

Orkin provides residential pest control services in Stockton, CA, addressing common local pests such as bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, ants, rodents, mosquitoes, birds, and wildlife. With over 120 years of experience, Orkin offers science-backed treatments including termite inspections and specialized methods like dry foam void filler, Sentricon® bait, and liquid barriers. They understand Stockton's year-round pest challenges and provide seasonal pest control tailored to the area's climate. Orkin also offers next-day availability and answers calls 24/7 to schedule pest control services promptly.

4.7

1.6k Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Tracy

The Tracy area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, thanks to its proximity to agricultural land and open spaces. While many animals are beneficial to the ecosystem, some can become pests when they seek food and shelter in our homes and yards ¹ ². The most frequent culprits requiring wildlife control services include:

Raccoons: Intelligent and dexterous, they are notorious for tipping over garbage cans, tearing into attic vents, and creating dens in chimneys or under decks.
Opossums: These nocturnal marsupials often rummage through trash and can take up residence under sheds or in crawl spaces.
Skunks: Known for their potent defense mechanism, skunks dig for grubs in lawns and may den under porches, leading to unpleasant encounters with pets.
Squirrels (Tree & Ground): They chew on wood, wires, and insulation to enter attics, potentially causing significant fire hazards and structural damage ³ ⁴.
Rats and Mice: While often categorized under general pest control, rodent infestations are a persistent issue and require exclusion and removal.
Other Mammals: Residents may also encounter issues with foxes, coyotes, moles, and bats ⁵ ⁶.
Birds: Birds like pigeons, starlings, and sparrows can nest in vents and eaves, creating noise, mess, and health hazards from droppings. It's important to note that birds of prey like hawks, owls, and falcons are often protected by state and federal law, requiring specialized, permitted removal services ⁵ ².

Why Professional Wildlife Control is Essential

Attempting to handle a wild animal problem on your own can be ineffective, dangerous, and often illegal under California law. Professional wildlife operators are trained in species-specific behavior, humane removal techniques, and, most importantly, the complex regulations that govern their work.

The Critical Law: No Relocation A cornerstone of California wildlife law is that it is generally illegal to trap and relocate an animal to another area³ ⁷. A trapped animal must either be released on the property where it was captured or humanely euthanized by a licensed professional. This law exists to prevent the spread of disease and to avoid introducing animals into territories where they cannot survive or will disrupt existing populations. This makes DIY trapping a risky and often futile endeavor, as you may simply be releasing the problem back into your yard ⁸ ⁹.

Beyond Trapping: The Full Solution True wildlife control is more than just removal. Professionals focus on a three-step process:

Removal: Using humane and legal methods to evict the animal.
Clean-up & Sanitization: Safely removing hazardous nesting materials, droppings, and urine to eliminate odors and health risks.
Exclusion: This is the most crucial step. Experts will identify and permanently seal all potential entry points with durable materials like steel mesh or hardware cloth to prevent future intrusions ³ ¹⁰.

Without proper exclusion, another animal will likely find its way in through the same opening.

What to Expect: Services and Costs

When you contact a licensed wildlife control operator (WCO) in Tracy, they will typically follow a structured process. Understanding this can help you know what to expect and how costs are determined.

Initial Inspection and Assessment: Most companies start with a site visit to identify the animal species, locate entry points, and assess the extent of the infestation and damage. This consultation fee typically ranges from $100 to $250+³ ¹¹.

Trapping and Removal: If active trapping is necessary, costs are usually per animal and vary by species and complexity. For example, removing a raccoon from an attic is more involved than trapping a ground squirrel. Expect a range of $150 to $400+ per animal, plus possible trip charges ⁵ ¹¹.

Exclusion and Repair: Sealing up the home is where the long-term value lies. The cost depends on the number of entry points, accessibility, and materials needed. A full exclusion job for an attic or crawl space can range from $300 to over $1,000³ ⁵.

Clean-up and Decontamination: If an area has been heavily soiled with droppings or urine, professional cleaning and sanitization are highly recommended for health reasons. This service can cost $200 to $500 or more, depending on the size of the affected area ¹¹.

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Effective Prevention: Making Your Property Less Inviting

The best wildlife control is prevention. By managing your property, you can significantly reduce the chances of an animal moving in.

Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on garbage cans, avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight, and harvest ripe fruit from trees promptly ⁸ ⁴.
Eliminate Shelter: Clear away brush piles, wood stacks, and dense vegetation close to your home's foundation. Keep yards tidy and trim tree branches that overhang the roof ¹⁰.
Remove Water: Fix leaky faucets and downspouts. Consider emptying bird baths at night, as standing water attracts many animals.
Seal Entry Points Proactively: Conduct seasonal inspections of your home's exterior. Look for gaps in siding, loose roof vents, holes in soffits, and openings where utilities enter. Seal any crack larger than a quarter-inch with appropriate materials ³.

Understanding Local Resources

It's important to know who to call for different situations. Tracy Animal Services primarily handles domestic animals like stray dogs and cats, enforces local pet ordinances, and does not typically provide free nuisance wildlife removal services for animals in attics or walls ¹¹ ¹².

For wildlife inside structures, persistent garden raiders, or situations where you are unsure of the laws, you need a state-licensed Wildlife Control Operator (WCO). These professionals have the specific permits, insurance, and knowledge to handle the situation legally and safely ⁵.

The Risks of DIY Wildlife Removal

Beyond the legal risks of improper trapping, DIY wildlife removal poses several dangers:

Injury: Wild animals will bite, scratch, and claw when cornered or protecting their young. Raccoons can carry rabies, and even a small squirrel bite can lead to a serious infection.
Property Damage: Improper removal techniques can cause animals to panic and cause more damage inside walls or attics as they try to escape.
Orphaned Young: If you remove an adult animal during breeding season, you may unknowingly leave behind dependent babies, which will die and create a severe odor and insect problem.
Ineffectiveness: Without the proper tools and knowledge, you are unlikely to solve the root cause, leading to a recurring problem.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Throughout the city of Tracy, there is a wide range of wildlife making ... - https://www.facebook.com/TracyAnimalServices/posts/throughout-the-city-of-tracy-there-is-a-wide-range-of-wildlife-making-it-very-po/617929053712550/ ↩
Living with Wildlife - https://wildlife.ca.gov/Living-with-Wildlife ↩ ↩²
Tracy Wildlife Animal Control - Wildlife Animal Control - http://www.wildlifeanimalcontrol.com/Tracy.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶
A Guide To Common Nuisance Wildlife In Northern California - https://www.bigtimepestcontrol.com/blog/post/common-wildlife-in-california ↩ ↩²
California Wildlife Removal Company Directory - Pro Animal Control - https://pro-animal-control.com/california-wildlife-removal-company/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵
Living With Wildlife - LA County Animal Care & Control - https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/living-with-wildlife/ ↩
State Laws About Trapping and Relocating Wildlife - https://www.animalcapturewildlifecontrol.com/blog/state-laws-about-trapping-and-relocating-wildlife/ ↩
Living With Urban Wildlife - San Francisco Animal Care and Control - https://www.sfanimalcare.org/living-with-urban-wildlife/ ↩ ↩²
Animal trapping and control - Lacounty - https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/acwm/235835_Trappingrequirementspaper.pdf ↩
Tracy Wildlife Removal - California Animal Pest Control - http://www.tracywildliferemoval.com/ ↩ ↩²
Tracy Wildlife Removal, Pest Animal Control CA - http://www.wildlife-removal.com/city/CA-Tracy.htm ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
Animal Services Manual - City of Tracy - https://www.cityoftracy.org/home/showpublisheddocument/3824/637545939408270000 ↩

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