OCP

Wildlife in Your Attic, Yard, or Under Your Home? We Remove Them Safely.

Los Angeles urban wildlife populations are large and growing. Raccoons, opossums, skunks, and squirrels regularly access homes and structures through surprisingly small gaps. We remove them humanely and exclude them permanently.

(866) 755-1284Get Free Inspection

Licensed · Insured · LA-Based

Signs You Have a Problem

  • Thumping, scratching, or rolling sounds in the attic during evening or nighttime hours — raccoons and opossums are nocturnal and their size makes their attic movement clearly audible
  • A strong musky or ammonia odor under the house, near the foundation, or in the attic — wildlife nesting in enclosed spaces produce significant waste accumulation that creates persistent odor
  • Overturned or ransacked garbage cans, torn compost bags, or disturbed garden areas overnight — raccoons are highly intelligent and dexterous and will exploit accessible food sources repeatedly
  • Skunk spray odor under the house, near the deck, or in the crawl space — skunks den under structures and spray when disturbed by pets or during nighttime encounters
  • Squirrel activity entering and exiting eave gaps, roof vents, or attic vents — squirrels are daytime animals, distinguishing them from nocturnal raccoons and rats
  • Burrowing or tunneling in lawn areas, under the foundation, or beneath outbuildings — pocket gophers, ground squirrels, and skunks create extensive burrow systems that can undermine hardscape and planters
  • Damaged fruit, vegetable gardens, and bird feeders — raccoons and squirrels are opportunistic feeders that exploit any accessible food source on the property

Our Treatment Process

  1. 1

    Wildlife Species and Behavior Assessment

    We assess the property to determine which wildlife species are present, their access points and travel routes, denning locations, and the scale of the problem. Evidence examination — tracks, droppings, hair, damage patterns, and timing of activity — allows us to confirm species before setting traps or beginning exclusion. Proper species identification is required by California wildlife regulations governing handling and relocation.

  2. 2

    Humane Trapping

    We set live capture traps appropriate to the species in question — raccoons, opossums, and skunks require different trap sizes and placements. Traps are checked daily as required by California regulations. Captured animals are handled with appropriate protective equipment (rabies vector species are handled with full precaution). Relocation of wildlife in California is regulated — we follow all DFW regulations regarding trapping and relocation.

  3. 3

    Exclusion and Entry Point Sealing

    Once the actively-denning animals have been removed, we seal entry points using heavy-gauge hardware cloth, metal flashing, and appropriate construction materials. Exclusion is the permanent solution — live-trapping without sealing access points results in new animals occupying the same dens within days to weeks. We identify and seal every opening large enough for the target species to enter.

  4. 4

    Contamination Assessment and Remediation

    Wildlife denning in attics and crawl spaces leaves behind urine, feces, and nesting debris that creates health hazards (Baylisascaris roundworm from raccoons, leptospirosis from multiple species) and odor problems. We assess the degree of contamination and provide recommendations for cleaning, deodorizing, and insulation replacement where warranted.

  5. 5

    Attractant Reduction Recommendations

    We identify and communicate the property conditions that attract wildlife — unsecured garbage, compost, pet food left outdoors, fruit trees, bird feeders, accessible water features, and dense vegetation against the structure. Reducing these attractants dramatically lowers the probability of re-infestation after exclusion.

How to Prepare for Treatment

  • Do not attempt to approach, handle, or corner any wild animal — cornered wildlife will bite or spray, and urban wildlife in LA has higher rates of disease exposure than rural populations
  • Keep pets inside and away from wildlife activity areas during our trapping period — pets that investigate traps or encounter wildlife are at risk of injury and disease transmission
  • Secure all outdoor food sources before our visit — pet food bowls, unsecured garbage, and accessible compost actively attract wildlife back to the property and interfere with trapping
  • If a skunk has sprayed under your house, avoid entering the crawl space until we have assessed the situation — confined skunk spray in an enclosed space can cause respiratory irritation
  • Inform us of any children or elderly family members with particular health concerns — areas contaminated with wildlife waste should be avoided until professional remediation is complete

After Treatment: What to Expect

  • Keep all garbage in wildlife-proof containers with locking lids — unsecured garbage is the single largest attractant for raccoons in Los Angeles residential neighborhoods
  • Bring pet food bowls inside at night and avoid leaving any food outside — even bird seed and fallen fruit are significant wildlife attractants in LA's dense urban environment
  • Inspect the exterior of your structure seasonally for new gaps, particularly after winter storms — raccoons and squirrels investigate any new opening that might provide den access
  • Trim tree branches that overhang the roofline — squirrels and raccoons use overhanging branches as access routes to rooftops and eave voids
  • Contact us if you hear renewed activity in the attic or under the house within 30 days of exclusion work — our exclusion is warranted and we will reinspect if new activity begins

Wildlife Removal — Frequently Asked Questions

California wildlife trapping and relocation is regulated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most nuisance wildlife species can be live-trapped, but relocation requirements and restrictions vary by species. Certain species cannot be relocated and must be euthanized if trapped. We follow all applicable California DFW regulations and will explain the lawful options for your specific situation during our assessment.

Yes. Raccoons are the primary host of Baylisascaris procyonis, a roundworm whose eggs can survive in soil and attic insulation for years and cause serious neurological disease in humans if ingested. Raccoons and opossums can also carry leptospirosis (transmitted through urine) and are potential carriers of rabies. Attic spaces contaminated with raccoon waste should be remediated by professionals using appropriate respiratory protection and not disturbed by residents.

Skunks den under homes and decks because the enclosed, dark, relatively undisturbed space provides ideal shelter — particularly during breeding season (February through March) and when raising young (April through June). Once a skunk den is established under a structure, the odor from scent marking attracts subsequent skunks to the same site even after the original animal is removed. Exclusion sealing after removal — combined with odor neutralization — breaks the cycle.

Yes. Pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) are common in Los Angeles residential properties and cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, tree roots, and irrigation systems. We use a combination of trapping and underground bait application to reduce gopher populations in affected areas. Because gophers are territorial, removing the resident gopher and monitoring for new territory establishment is an ongoing process in properties adjacent to open space or natural areas where gopher populations are continuously replenished.

Need Wildlife Removal in Los Angeles?

Call now for a same-day inspection. Licensed, insured, and LA-based.

(866) 755-1284Call Now — Free Inspection